Faulk on SJax

[ramsanddodgers]

TALKS WITH S-JAX PROGRESSING, FAULK COMMENTS
Posted by Tom Mantzouranis on August 18, 2008, 1:10 p.m.
The relationship between Steven Jackson and the man he replaced in St. Louis, Marshall Faulk, was always rumored to be chilly. So now that Jackson has had a successful enough career to hold out in order to leverage a big deal, and Faulk has moved on to broadcasting, it shouldn’t be surprising that he’s taking Jackson to task for remaining at home while the Rams carry on through the preseason.

“I am surprised he’s holding out,” Faulk said on Sporting News Radio. “I don’t know where he’s getting his advice. He’s played four years and he’s played every game once and he’s been hurt three times. I know if I was in the front office, even if it wasn’t Steven, even if it was someone else on another team, it would be hard for me to justify giving them a lot of money, regardless if he was ‘the team.’”

Faulk keeps a distance in those comments, but doesn’t hesitate to get personal.

“It’s just unfortunate that sometimes — and it’s happened to a lot of great players — when they play behind a player that had length and longetivity, and did it well in a way that people respect, they sometimes don’t know how to deal with it. They don’t know where to take it. And that’s one of those situations [where] he’s trying to carve a niche for himself and he wants that to be so different from me that he’s doing a lot of things that I didn’t do, but those are the things I didn’t do because you don’t need to, not because I didn’t want to.”

Faulk might want to tuck and roll as he falls from his high horse, because he seems to forget that he too once held out in 1999, the year he was traded to the Rams. That his holdout didn’t last as long as Jackson’s is inconsequential; he should understand the motivation in holding out (and the hypocrisy in him railing against it).

Meanwhile, talks between the Rams and Jackson seem to be progressing. The Rams had previously stated they wouldn’t negotiate with holdouts, meaning Jackson’s firm stance has caused the team to blink first, ostensibly realizing that with the state of the team on and off the field, they can’t afford to open the season without their best player.

From PFT......

[Fortuninerhater]

Marshall needs to just bite his tongue when he's asked questions about current Ram players, particularly Jackson. He only stands to alienate himself from those of us who still think rather highly of him.

Marshall was great, but Jackson has the physical tools to be even better. Be nice when the Rams finally realize that, and pay the man.

[39thebeast]

I don't know man first mentoring Frank Gore the best offensive player on your teams all time rivals now hypocritically slamming SJ for doing the same exact thing he did.

[RamFan_Til_I_Die]

I always liked Faulk the player, but disliked Faulk the person. He's a pompous ass that just keeps proving it over and over. I know that's blasphemy around here, but from the way he snubs fans to the way he's treated Jackson, I have no reason to like this guy anymore.

[Warner4prez]

You guys are jokesters. Faulk > SJ
Love'm both, but seriously.

[Nick]

The article basically sums up my reaction to Faulk's comments...

Faulk might want to tuck and roll as he falls from his high horse, because he seems to forget that he too once held out in 1999, the year he was traded to the Rams. That his holdout didn’t last as long as Jackson’s is inconsequential; he should understand the motivation in holding out (and the hypocrisy in him railing against it).

[laram0]

Marshall, Marshall, Marshall...Be quiet, Be quiet, Be quiet!!!!

[HUbison]

Pot: You're black.

Kettle: No, you're black.

Pot: No, you're black.

Kettle: No, you're black.

[jjigga3000]

As a former Ram Faulk should have stayed away from that one. Why is it always the players fault and the organization is never to blame?

[rampower]

As a former Ram Faulk should have stayed away from that one. Why is it always the players fault and the organization is never to blame?

Because he has a contract and should be here. If they dont give him what he wants, then he goes somewhere else, later on. BUT he should be honoring his contract. I am quite sure if he was a bust he wouldn't have handed the money back, he signed a contract. He will get an amazing contract that will probably pay him excellent retirement money in signing bonus alone that will give him more money a year in intrerest than I will make in my lifetime. What does he seriously have to worry about. Get in and negotiate that contract.
I would be surprised if they couldn't come to a deal. If not, state your desire to be traded and play your ass off, whilst in the shop window.

Other players 'hold out' too. Does this make holding out morally correct??

YES its part of the business.

YES many players do it.

YES jackson is worth more than his contract.

Do I like it. Hell no, no, NO!

[HUbison]

As a former Ram Faulk should have stayed away from that one. Why is it always the players fault and the organization is never to blame?

I don't know about always, but in this particular situation it is because the player, and not the organization, is in breach of contract.

[r8rh8rmike]

I always liked Faulk the player, but disliked Faulk the person. He's a pompous ass that just keeps proving it over and over. I know that's blasphemy around here, but from the way he snubs fans to the way he's treated Jackson, I have no reason to like this guy anymore.

As much as it pains me, I agree with you here Josh. I steadily became sour on Faulk the last few years of his career, with the final straw being his complete lack of involvement or interest in the team during 2006, despite being paid to sit out and ponder retirement, all the while yuking it up on NFL Network. These hypocritical statements about Jackson's situation certainly don't help.

[ScottD413]

Marshall was great, but Jackson has the physical tools to be even better. Be nice when the Rams finally realize that, and pay the man.

I don't want to sound like a jerk, but I couldn't disagree more. Faulk had the hands and route running ability to become a deadly option out of the backfield. He also had the smarts to know how to read defenses and get open in patterns.

Jax just doesnt have the great hands or, perhaps more importantly, the football knowledge that Faulk had/has. Thats why he will never be as great as Faulk was.

[makersncoke]

I don't want to sound like a jerk, but I couldn't disagree more. Faulk had the hands and route running ability to become a deadly option out of the backfield. He also had the smarts to know how to read defenses and get open in patterns.

Jax just doesnt have the great hands or, perhaps more importantly, the football knowledge that Faulk had/has. Thats why he will never be as great as Faulk was.

I agree with you in respect to the fact that he doesn't have the hands that Marshall had but to be fair he is not playing in the same system either. His knowledge of the game will come as his years in the league continue, ( if he ever reports). Remember, Faulk had to run around people, not over them like Jax, so I guess my point is they're both great in different ways.

[moloch41]

I think when Jackson's career is said and done, Marshall will probably have the better records.