Faulk checks in early in '05
By
Jim Thomas
Of the Post-Dispatch
Saturday, Aug. 20 2005
Press box observers were surprised to see Marshall Faulk trotting out to the
huddle in the Rams' preseason opener against Chicago. They weren't alone.
"So was I," Faulk said. "It's not ever my decision to not play. So when the
head man comes to me and says, 'Hey, I'd like you to do X, Y, and Z.' OK.
Because he never asks for anything. And when he does ask - I just go out and
play."
In years past, Faulk has rarely been seen before the third preseason game. A
year ago against Kansas City, Faulk made his preseason debut in the Rams'
second preseason game. That marked the first time since 2000 that he appeared
earlier than the third exhibition contest.
But that changed this year, with Faulk getting the word from coach Mike Martz
that he would play in the days leading up to the Aug. 12 Bears game.
"Maybe the day before, or two days before, he said that was kind of what he
wanted me to do," Faulk said. "And that was it."
Faulk was in for just a handful of plays, and with no running room to speak of,
carried twice for minus 2 yards.
"He did not even blink an eye when I said, 'Marshall. Go in there and get
Steven right now,'" running backs coach Wilbert Montgomery said.
Steven Jackson may be the starting running back these days, but look for more
of Faulk on Sunday when the Rams continue their preseason schedule in San Diego
against the Chargers. Kickoff is 3 p.m., St. Louis time, at Qualcomm Stadium,
where Faulk once starred in college for San Diego State.
As an NFL player, Faulk has played in San Diego only twice in games that
counted, both as a member of the Indianapolis Colts: a 1995 playoff game in
which Faulk carried only once because of a knee injury; and a 1997
regular-season contest. As a Ram, his only appearance in San Diego was a 2001
preseason game won by the Chargers 13-10 in overtime.
Even with what figures to be a reduced role this season, Faulk is in good
spirits as he embarks on his 12th NFL season. And in good shape.
"This year, he's come back smaller, lighter," Montgomery said. "It's probably
the best shape he's been in since he's been in St. Louis."
"I'm enjoying myself," Faulk said. "Having fun. Haven't missed a day. I've been
healthy. It's been a long time since that's been the case."
Like Jackson, Faulk has been wearing a yellow jersey this summer during
full-pad practices, a warning to defenders to touch - but not hit - the two
running backs.
"I'm used to it now," Faulk said. "The first day, you didn't feel like one of
the guys. But after you take the criticism and you hear all the jokes about it,
after a couple practices, it's just a formality."
Faulk checks in early in '05
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