RamsFan28

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/st...03?OpenDocument

The status of running back Marshall Faulk's football future probably will be determined in the next week to 10 days, according to his agent, St. Louis-based Rocky Arceneaux.

"He's going to be evaluated again, and that's when the decision will be made," Arceneaux said Monday.

At issue is the condition of Faulk's knees, both of which underwent arthroscopic surgery in the offseason following Faulk's 12th year in the NFL and seventh with the Rams. One knee has responded, but the other has been slow to recover. Arceneaux said another operation might be required.

"He's been in California attempting to rehab," Arceneaux said. "He's been running and things like that. If the doctor feels like he has to have more surgery, that's the big question. (Faulk is) trying to give it as much time as he can."

Faulk, 33, missed both veterans minicamps in the spring, as well as organized team activities, or OTAs. Retirement is a possibility, but Faulk also has talked about doing television work for a year then trying to come back in 2007.

First-year head coach Scott Linehan, who could not be reached Monday, said earlier that he wanted to give Faulk as much leeway as possible.

"I know this is very difficult for him," Linehan said. "I'm just going to kind of stay at arm's length and let him contemplate what needs to happen."

But the Rams are running out of time. The team opens training camp July 27, which Linehan indicated last month would serve as an unofficial deadline for determining Faulk's status.

"It's a concern, and we're trying to address it," Linehan said. "I know Marshall knows our sense of urgency on it."

Faulk was a backup to Steven Jackson last season, when the Rams finished 6-10. Faulk appeared in all 16 games, rushing for 292 yards in 65 carries and catching 44 passes for 291 yards.

Jackson remains the primary ball carrier. Other backs on the roster: veterans Tony Fisher and Paul Smith; Fred Russell, who played in NFL Europe this year; plus rookie free agents Antoine Bagwell and J.D. Washington.

If Faulk can't play this year, the Rams are expected to pursue a veteran running back via trade, or after teams begin trimming their rosters next month.

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smalchow

i think he should play this year and see how it goes. he has got a couple of good years left in him

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KWilliamsAWinfield

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(xli @ Jul 13th ) [snapback]1622752[/snapback]</div> He may not be in his prime anymore but he does have 3 to 5 years left in him

tregrimmd

You guys realize that the average life of an NFL RB is about 4 years, right? What the hell makes you think that Faulk, after 12 years, coming off knee surgeries in each of his legs, still has 3-5 damn years left?

He's done. One year left, maybe. It would be NEXT season though, he won't even get into this year's it looks like.

He's going to the HOF first ballot anyway, it's not like he's a borderline player at this point playing for stats. He had one hell of a career, its just over.

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av - D

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(PeanutTillman @ Jul 6th ) [snapback]2042213[/snapback]</div>

KWilliamsAWinfield

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(tregrimmd @ Jul 13th ) [snapback]1622790[/snapback]</div>
Because people can come back from knee injuries and still play for 3 to 5 years?

tregrimmd

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(KWilliamsAWinfield @ Jul 13th ) [snapback]1622792[/snapback]</div>Yeah...in Madden maybe.

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av - D

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(PeanutTillman @ Jul 6th ) [snapback]2042213[/snapback]</div>

FreakBrook

Guy has like 1 year left. I dont see it in him anymore. That and injuries have kicked his ***.

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Thanks 2 Pred for the graphix

RamsFan28

Rumor is the Rams are going to IR him and he'll make the decision next season.

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