Faulk seems set for surgery:

[RamWraith]

By Bill Coats
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
Friday, Jul. 21 2006

It appears that running back Marshall Faulk's days with the Rams are over - at
least for now.

Faulk reportedly will undergo knee surgery next week, which most likely means
he will miss the 2006 season. Faulk, 33, is a 12-year NFL veteran, including
seven seasons with the Rams.

Faulk has had surgery on both knees this year, and one hasn't responded. He is
able to run straight ahead but suffers swelling after he tries to make cuts.

Jay Zygmunt, the Rams' president of football operations, said he talked with
Faulk's agent on Thursday, after Faulk had extensive medical examinations this
week on the West Coast. The agent, Rocky Arceneaux, indicated Faulk had decided
to have another operation, probably some time next week.

"That was my understanding, that in all likelihood he was going to go ahead and
schedule the surgery," Zygmunt said. "We don't know yet what the extent of it
will be."

Attempts to reach Arceneaux on Thursday were unsuccessful.

Faulk has amassed 19,154 career yards - 12,279 rushing and 6,875 receiving. He
has scored 158 touchdowns. He was selected to seven Pro Bowl squads and was
named the NFL's most valuable player in 2000.

A three-time All-American at San Diego State, Faulk was Indianapolis'
first-round choice (No. 2) overall in the 1994 draft. He totaled 1,804 yards
(1,282 rushing and 522 receiving) and scored 12 touchdowns. He was named the
NFL offensive rookie of the year and was voted the Pro Bowl MVP.

Faulk set a franchise record in 1998, when he piled up 2,227 yards (1,319
rushing and 908 receiving). But the Colts refused to renegotiate his contract
after the season, leading to his trade to St. Louis. The Rams gave up only two
draft choices for him.

"I think it's an outstanding move for our organization," Dick Vermeil, the
Rams' coach, said then. "Players like this make offensive coordinators and head
coaches a lot smarter."

Vermeil's words proved prophetic. Faulk was a key cog in the Rams' offensive
attack that sparked Super Bowl appearances following the 1999 and 2001 seasons.
The Rams beat Tennessee 23-16 in Super Bowl XXXIV but lost to New England 20-17
two years later.

The Rams, just 4-12 in '98, bolted to a 6-0 start in '99, with Faulk and
previously unheralded quarterback Kurt Warner at the head of a record-breaking
offense.

The Rams won the NFC West Division title with a 13-3 record, as Faulk rolled up
an NFL-record 2,429 total yards (1,381 rushing, 1,048 receiving). Then they
beat Minnesota 49-37 and Tampa Bay 11-6 to earn a Super Bowl berth. Then they
held off the Titans in Atlanta and brought the Lombardi Trophy to St. Louis.

More good times followed. The Rams went 10-6 in 2000, losing to New Orleans in
the first round of the playoffs. But they surged to a 14-2 the next season,
then in the playoffs ousted Green Bay 45-17 and Philadelphia 29-24, and headed
to New Orleans for another shot at the league title. The Rams were heavily
favored, but the Pats prevailed on Adam Vinatieri's last-second field goal.

Faulk rushed for 1,382 yards that season, but it would mark the last time he
topped the 1,000-yard mark, as his knee problems began to surface. The Rams
made the playoffs twice over the next four seasons, but never advanced past the
second round.

As a backup to Steven Jackson last year, Faulk carried 65 times for 292 yards
and eight touchdowns. He also caught 44 passes for 291 yards and one TD.

In an interview late in the '05 season, Faulk said he was determined not to
stay active if he no longer could be an effective contributor.

"I don't let my ego get in the way of reality," he said. "I understand guys who
do hold on: You don't want to accept the fact that you haven't taken a step
backward, that Mother Nature has just caught up to you.

"I just choose not to be one of those guys."

First-year Rams coach Scott Linehan had refused to discuss what step the team
would take next if Faulk were unable to play.

"I've been a fan of his, and it's almost like I don't want to come to that
conclusion myself, either," Linehan said earlier. "I know it's going to be a
sad day for all of us" when he has to step aside.

For now, Tony Fisher, a free-agent acquisition in the offseason, moves into the
No. 2 slot behind Jackson, although the Rams are expected to seek additional
help in the backfield with Faulk unavailable.

The team opens training camp Thursday at Rams Park.

[AugustaRamFan]

The air is out of the balloon! I love Marshall and I hope he does retire while he can still walk!!

I am not sure this will make big difference. The difference maker may be the player that is tapped to replace Marshall.

[laram0]

Now what ?? Who's that player that's going to fill in while Faulk is on the shelf ?


:ramlogo:

[RamsFan4ever]

Hope your knee gets better! And come back 1 year when ever you can and help the Rams get a Winning Season!

[txramsfan]

Vermeil initially fought long and hard NOT to get Faulk. Hated his reputation at Indy, hated his practice ethic, didn't think Faulk was a guy he wanted on his team. However, the equally hated by the fans Mike Martz talked Vermeil into it. So, why does Vermeil say this:"I think it's an outstanding move for our organization," Dick Vermeil, the Rams' coach, said then. "Players like this make offensive coordinators and head coaches a lot smarter."

Anyway, Faulk is a Ram icon and always will be.

[bruce4life]

This Leaves The Rams With Some Questions At The Runnng Back Spot... Their Gonna Need To Bring In A Free Agent Veteran To Man The Number 2 Spot Because Tony Fisher Is A Good 3rd Down Rb...

[Fargo Ram Fan]

Wasnt Bennett coming over to be a back up?

[majorram]

Now that the Rams have put the Great Faulk on IR I'm sure they will go after Bennett from the saints to back up Jackson........still sad though... just Proud that we had Faulk playing for our Rams, amazing player on and off the field...

steve:ramlogo:

[RamsFan16]

Now that the Rams have put the Great Faulk on IR I'm sure they will go after Bennett from the saints to back up Jackson........still sad though... just Proud that we had Faulk playing for our Rams, amazing player on and off the field...

steve:ramlogo:

I think the Saints said recently that they aren't trading Bennett because McCallister's health is an issue and Reggie isn't signed yet.

[Fargo Ram Fan]

Sad indeed...just heard the official announcement on ESPN radio. The guy was THE reason this team has a 'Lombardi' IMO. A pure joy to watch him rip through defenses (when given the chance). I loved the way he could always get that extra yard or 2 by avoiding the direct hit at the last instant as he surged ever forward. Defenders RARELY got a solid hit on the magic one.

[Nick]

I think the Saints said recently that they aren't trading Bennett because McCallister's health is an issue and Reggie isn't signed yet.

I haven't heard that they aren't trading him, but they're just reluctant to. It also doesn't help that they're probably overvaluing Bennett in the first place.

[RamsFan16]

A list of Runningbacks that I came up with that we could go after.

TJ Duckett ATL... Word is the Falcons only want a 5th Round Pick.
Justin Fargas Oakland ...
Moe Williams Minny ...
Najeh or Green from GB ...
Nick Goings CAR ...
One of the 3 Backs for Denver.
Ryan Moats? Possibility
Michael Pittman
Lionel Gates
Lee Suggs

Free Agents
Dorsey Levens
Eddie George

A small list but a few possibilities.


I, myself would really like to get Lee Suggs.

But in the next week or in the next few days don't be suprised if we make a move for a Veteran Runningback.

[RamsFan4ever]

TJ Duckett or Micheal pitman would be excelent Backups!!

[Nick]

A list of Runningbacks that I came up with that we could go after.

TJ Duckett ATL... Word is the Falcons only want a 5th Round Pick.
Justin Fargas Oakland ...
Moe Williams Minny ...
Najeh or Green from GB ...
Nick Goings CAR ...
One of the 3 Backs for Denver.
Ryan Moats? Possibility
Michael Pittman
Lionel Gates
Lee Suggs

Free Agents
Dorsey Levens
Eddie George

A small list but a few possibilities.

The Rams have shown interest in Bennett which says to me that they're looking for someone with excellent speed and explosiveness to the outside as a compliment to Jackson's running style. That means you can probably scratch Duckett, Moe Williams (who is actually a free agent), Davenport, Goings, Dayne, and Gates. I'm pretty both George and Levens are basically out of football entirely.

That leaves Justin Fargas, Ahman Green, Ryan Moats, Michael Pittman, and Lee Suggs. Green might not be healthy enough to participate in camp so I'm not convinced at all he's the guy we want. It doesn't sound to me like the Raiders are that motivated to move Fargas since he looks to be the primary back-up to LaMont Jordan. Moats likely isn't going anywhere because he's Phily's primary insurance policy in case Westbrook is injured again. Pittman just signed a contract extension through 2009. Suggs may be the best option, because there's a deep backfield in Cleveland (Droughns, Suggs, Green, Wright, Norwood), but they're probably in no hurry to move him since he could still earn their #2 position.

That seems to be the main problem with acquiring anyone right now. Most teams probably want to see what these guys can do for them in camp before seriously considering trading them. If they're going to trade them before camp, the offer's probably going to have to be really good. And we don't want to be giving up all that much for a back-up player.

So with that said, we really should consider the idea of Fisher being used as the #2 and finding ourselves a #3 as well as any kind of trade possibilities.

[Goldenfleece]

How about Bears RB Adrian Peterson? He's fast, elusive, a decent receiver, and with Thomas Jones and Cedric Benson in front of him, he's a no. 3 there. I think he's good enough he could be a primary backup. I just don't know if Chicago would let him go; they just got done signing him to an extension.