Curtain drops on Faulk era
Verfasst: 24.07.2006, 15:32On Friday, first-year coach Scott Linehan confirmed that Faulk will have major knee surgery next week and miss the 2006 season. Unlike the arthroscopic procedures that Faulk, 33, underwent on both knees earlier this year, this operation will be reconstructive and require a rehabilitation period of up to a year.
That could well signal an end to Faulk's 12-year NFL career, Linehan acknowledged. "When your legs start to go, that's a big concern for any athlete, but especially a running back," Linehan said. "Basically, the reality of the situation is he won't be available for sure this season, and ... he's got to come to terms with whether he's going to continue trying to play."
Linehan indicated that rather than release Faulk, the Rams intended to keep him on the roster and pay him his $2 million salary. That would put his current salary cap number at about $4 million.
"Some guys earn that," Linehan said. "Not very many, but some do, and I believe he's definitely one of them. The reason we've tried to be patient with this is because of who the individual is. We were kind of hoping that it would respond and he would feel good, but it has not been a positive rehabilitation for him."
Faulk probably will be designated "physically unable to perform." Retirement, Linehan said, "has never been discussed. He's got to go through the surgery first."
Television work is a possible new endeavor for Faulk this season. He is reported to be working on a deal with the NFL Network.
After his dual operations, Faulk was unable to participate in any of the team's offseason workouts, including both veterans minicamps and all organized team activities, known as OTAs.
"He's been trying to condition, and (the knee) didn't respond well," Linehan said. "He's had a great career. Unfortunately, it's winding down. But we've got to move on as a team."
Ehrlich gesagt ich bin unendlich traurig. Trifft mich sehr hart. So ist es nun mal. I am bleeding blue.
ich denke euch gehts auch so. Und sorry für den Tippfehler beim Name. War schon ganz durcheinander, obwohl ich es erwartet habe.
That could well signal an end to Faulk's 12-year NFL career, Linehan acknowledged. "When your legs start to go, that's a big concern for any athlete, but especially a running back," Linehan said. "Basically, the reality of the situation is he won't be available for sure this season, and ... he's got to come to terms with whether he's going to continue trying to play."
Linehan indicated that rather than release Faulk, the Rams intended to keep him on the roster and pay him his $2 million salary. That would put his current salary cap number at about $4 million.
"Some guys earn that," Linehan said. "Not very many, but some do, and I believe he's definitely one of them. The reason we've tried to be patient with this is because of who the individual is. We were kind of hoping that it would respond and he would feel good, but it has not been a positive rehabilitation for him."
Faulk probably will be designated "physically unable to perform." Retirement, Linehan said, "has never been discussed. He's got to go through the surgery first."
Television work is a possible new endeavor for Faulk this season. He is reported to be working on a deal with the NFL Network.
After his dual operations, Faulk was unable to participate in any of the team's offseason workouts, including both veterans minicamps and all organized team activities, known as OTAs.
"He's been trying to condition, and (the knee) didn't respond well," Linehan said. "He's had a great career. Unfortunately, it's winding down. But we've got to move on as a team."
Ehrlich gesagt ich bin unendlich traurig. Trifft mich sehr hart. So ist es nun mal. I am bleeding blue.
ich denke euch gehts auch so. Und sorry für den Tippfehler beim Name. War schon ganz durcheinander, obwohl ich es erwartet habe.