Professor

http://customwire.ap.org/dynamic/sto...06-09-18-45-55

Rams' RB Faulk Considering Retirement

By R.B. FALLSTROM
AP Sports Writer

ST. LOUIS (AP) -- St. Louis Rams running back Marshall Faulk is not attending the team's final minicamp this weekend while contemplating retirement because of knees that have been slow to recover from offseason cleanup surgery.

New coach Scott Linehan said Friday that two weeks ago Faulk, who has undergone numerous such surgeries on both knees, expressed his concerns. Linehan said Faulk's agent, Rocky Arceneaux, told him again on Thursday that Faulk "wasn't physically ready to go."

"Guys that have played at such a high level for so many years and have taken so many hits, sometimes it starts to wear you down a little bit," Linehan said. "He's trying to figure out how he can manage it."

Faulk, the 2000 NFL MVP, is ninth on the career rushing list with 12,279 yards, 34 yards behind Jim Brown. But he had a career-low 292 yards rushing last year and made only one start, in the season finale when Steven Jackson was out with a hip pointer.

Linehan said under the circumstances that he didn't mind Faulk not at least attending the meetings at the minicamp to pick up the new offense. Linehan reasoned that if Faulk had attended the camp, he would have wanted to participate even though he's not ready.

"He's dealing with something bigger than meetings," Linehan said. "I think he's coming to terms with whether he can do it.

"The competitor in him wouldn't want to be able to stand there and watch."

Faulk, 33, has been to seven Pro Bowls, has seven 1,000-yard rushing seasons and 38 100-yard games, and was the first player in NFL history to gain 2,000 yards from scrimmage in four consecutive seasons from 1998-2001.

But he hasn't had a 1,000-yard season since 2001 and lost his starting job in 2004 when the Rams drafted Jackson in the first round.

Linehan said Faulk's decision has nothing to do with a change in coaching staffs. Mike Martz, under whom Faulk enjoyed his greatest success, was fired last year after six seasons.

"It really isn't that at all," Linehan said. "This is a personal issue because he doesn't want to play at a level he's not accustomed to playing.

"The reality is time does start to catch up to you."

Linehan said he hasn't begun to address the running back situation if Faulk decides to retire. The Rams signed Tony Fisher, who had 173 yards and a 2.9-yard average for the Packers last year, in the offseason, but have no other proven NFL players at running back.

"I haven't even gotten there yet," Linehan said. "We just haven't had to cross that bridge yet."

ABuccsFan

Go now Faulk. You are truly one of the greats. Don't pull a Rice or Favre and tarnish your legacy. Go no, go quietly. Have your tear filled, loud applause press conference and ride off into the sunset until Canton calls you. Thanks for the entertainment.

Carbo04

^^ Couldn't agree more.

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Professor

you are exactly right, he has almost tarnished his career with the past couple seasons, but now is the time.

MickeyG

couldn't be said any better.

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PoppaPoe33

Agreed, he has nothing else to prove. He's done great things in his career and has the bling so it's a good time to retire.

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BigdaddyQH

I do not see any reason for him to risk major damage to his knees. He has had a brillinat career. He has won a ring. Now is the time to exit with grace, something that a certain QB in Green Bay knows nothing about.

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Winning is the Only Acceptable Solution.

chris_36824

although i wont like to see him retire, it is probably whats best for him and also the team... he has poor numbers and his knees are pretty rough... i think it is time for him to hang up the pads and retire...

stormdriver

You seem to like to bash Favre. You might do well to look up how many times you guys have actually beaten him before you do that. He had one bad year because his entire offense was either lost to FA or injuries, and he still put up reasonably decent passing numbers. I truly don't believe you make all kinds of money on football, because your posts tell me you don't really know a thing about it. Favre may be done, but you can't say that just based on last year. This year, with most of his offense back and a somewhat solid D, we'll see how he does. If he sucks, I'll thank him to hang it up. If not, you and the entire state of Minnesota can eat your words.

Enough of BigDaddy's ignorance, back to the scheduled topic. Faulk is a living legend. He's proven himself time and time again. If he comes back, it's not likely he'll put up good numbers ever again. He'd be far more likely to injure himself. He has nothing more to prove, he should just hang it up and enjoy the rest of his life, whatever he decides to do with it. Thanks for the memories, Marshall.

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Green Bay Packers Fan

MickeyG

come on storm, when have i ever said anything against Favre. What you mean to say is the entire state of Minnesota except MickeyG

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