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Faulk to decide soon whether to play this year for the Rams


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Decision nears for Rams' Faulk

By Bill Coats

ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH

07/11/2006

FILE POTO: Rams running back Marshall Faulk (left) stiff-ar

(CHRIS LEE/P-D)

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." empty.gif

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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Just retire already...geez why go from being unstoppable to a 5 carry a game back. Is the money worth not being able to walk in 10 years?

Well whether he stays or not he still has to go through some type of rehab or physical therapy, right? If he doesn't retire & goes on IR then he gets paid - and paid WELL - to do it.

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