Faulk's New Deal - The Article

*ZigZagRam* · #1 (**permalink**) -25-02-2005

Faulk, Rams renegotiate contract
By Jim Thomas
Of the Post-Dispatch
02/24/2005

INDIANAPOLIS -- By signing what is believed to be a two-year, $6 million contract, running back Marshall Faulk is literally taking one for the team.

It's not as if Faulk needs the money. After 11 seasons in the NFL, he has made millions upon millions over the course of his career.

But as Rams coach Mike Martz said Thursday night at the NFL Scouting Combine, taking less money shows, ``that's who the guy is, and why it's hard not to have great admiration for him. Even with all the money he's made, (a pay cut) can still be a bitter pill to swallow for anyone of his stature.''

According to team sources, Faulk is scheduled to make $2 million in base salary in both the 2005 and 2006 seasons. He also gets a signing bonus of $2 million.

Before the restructuring, Faulk had just completed the third year of a seven-year deal. He was to have made $6 million in base salary and workout bonuses in '05 under the old contract, and was to have counted $7.527 million against the cap.

Including unamortized signing bonuses from past contracts, money which must be counted into the cap figures for the new two-deal, the Rams still save about $1.5 million in cap money this season.

``This really helps with the cap,'' Martz said. ``This puts us in position for free agency.''

It also all but ensures that Faulk will retire as a Ram, whether it be at the end of the '05 season or at the conclusion of the '06 campaign.

``It's important to all of us, obviously, that this ends up the right way,'' Martz said.

Martz said he met with Faulk a few weeks ago in San Diego to discuss the contract restructuring, and also the reduced role for Faulk in the backfield behind Steven Jackson.

``I wanted to make sure he was very clear about what was going on,'' Martz said.

Interestingly, Martz said it was Faulk who actually approached him during the 2004 season about moving Jackson into a more prominent role in the backfield.

``He said, `I can see where this is going,' '' Martz said. `` `Steven needs to have a larger role.' But he also thought that it could lengthen his career and help him have more of an impact.''

Faulk's production has dropped steadily since the Rams' 2001 Super Bowl season. His rushing yards have dipped from 953 in '02, to 818 yards in '03, to 774 yards in '04. At the same time, his yards per catch as a receiver has dropped from 6.7 in '02, to 6.4 in '03, to 6.2 in '04.

But Martz feels that Faulk, who turns 32 Saturday, can still be an effective back if used properly.

``If he had had (knee) surgery at the end of the year, maybe not,'' Martz said. ``But he's healthy for the first time in four years. He feels great. Hopefully, we can keep him in that mode.''

**Nick** · #2 (**permalink**) -25-02-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZigZagRam

Interestingly, Martz said it was Faulk who actually approached him during the 2004 season about moving Jackson into a more prominent role in the backfield.

``He said, `I can see where this is going,' '' Martz said. `` `Steven needs to have a larger role.' But he also thought that it could lengthen his career and help him have more of an impact.''

Very interesting. Sounds like Marshall was well aware of what was going on when Martz made his announcement.

*UtterBlitz* · #3 (**permalink**) -25-02-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by NickSeiler

Very interesting. Sounds like Marshall was well aware of what was going on when Martz made his announcement.

It sounds like Marshall knows how to communicate and forced the issue out in the open.

#4 (**permalink**) -25-02-2005

Quote:

Interestingly, Martz said it was Faulk who actually approached him during the 2004 season about moving Jackson into a more prominent role in the backfield.

No doubt this was sometime after the second Arizona game.

*AugustaRamFan* · #5 (**permalink**) -25-02-2005

HMMM!! Improving communication skills... Could it be that our boy Martzie is morphing into a (I dare say it).... Head Coach???

We'l have to wait and see...But I like what I here.

*xHOLTx81* · #6 (**permalink**) -25-02-2005

marshall is one of the reasons i like the rams he has been an impact on me and im sure for all of u to and i just wish him luck with whatever happens and im sure i speak for all of us when i say that :ramlogo:

**txramsfan** · #7 (**permalink**) -25-02-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by AugustaRamFan

HMMM!! Improving communication skills... Could it be that our boy Martzie is morphing into a (I dare say it).... Head Coach???

We'l have to wait and see...But I like what I here.

See, this is where I think Martz gets a bad rap. Everyone thinks he dosen't communicate, but he seems to always fall on the sword for his players.

Anyway, this is about Faulk. Faulk sees something on this team. He sees a chance at a run or he wouldn't put his body up again.

*ZigZagRam* · #8 (**permalink**) -25-02-2005

Now I'm convinced Faulk will be on the Rams staff in a few years. Not only does this guy see the field excellently, but he's a good motivator and character guy.

*thoey* · #9 (**permalink**) -25-02-2005

This is just excellent news. Yes, MF is a class act and handling this any other way would not be like him. (See E. Smith). And I am glad MF sees potential here or he wouldn't hang around and subject himself to the punishment. Gives me more hope...

And Rainman, I mean, our beloved coach Mike Martz appears to have handled this with tact and skill. I know we don't know a tenth of everything that actually goes on, and it is easy to jump to conclusions. But maybe he ain't so bad... Maybe he never has been or maybe he is just getting better. Either way, this is a check mark in the positive column for Martz too.

*majorram* · #10 (**permalink**) -25-02-2005

Way to go Martz!!!!!has handled this situation with great care, he has learn't alot from the warner saga.....

steve :ramlogo:

*ramsfan1975* · #11 (**permalink**) -25-02-2005

i said it in the other board about this and ill say it again.....yay!

:ramlogo:

**Nick** · #12 (**permalink**) -25-02-2005

The next question on this front is how long until the Rams and Bruce do the same?

*Yodude* · #13 (**permalink**) -25-02-2005

This is really awesome news. Not just because it helps the Rams with the cap..which is huge in itself. But because it was done the right way.

Kudos to Faulk for being who and what he is and also for Martz for handling the situation the right way.

*adarian_too* · #14 (**permalink**) -25-02-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yodude

Kudos to Faulk for being who and what he is and also for Martz for handling the situation the right way.

If I were to quibble about details, I'd have preferred to have the restructuring announced first and then the announcement of who would be starter next.

I'd just like to believe that there was no attempt at manipulation by the FO when the starting annoucement was made. And announcing the restructuring first would have lent credence to the notion that the Rams weren't trying to pressure MF into something he would have preferred not to do.

A meeting of the minds would be preferable to one coerced by unequal bargaining power.

*Yodude* · #15 (**permalink**) -25-02-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by adarian_too

If I were to quibble about details, I'd have preferred to have the restructuring announced first and then the announcement of who would be starter next.

I agree dude. Which was why I went off on a different thread when it was suggested that the announcement may be posturing on Martz's part to force a renegotiated contract by Rams' management. But based on everything I've read and heard, Faulk seems to have been in the loop the entire time...which is as it should be.

I really still don't see the need to have made that announcement when it was made...but I'm happy that Faulk seems to have been on board throughout the entire process.