Survivor I - Marshall Faulk Commentary

NOTE: this draft was completed on 7/24

Recent Stats

YR	RSH	RSHYD	RSHTD	REC	RECYD	RECTD	FPT	RANK
2002	212	953	8	80	537	2	209.0	14
2003	209	818	10	45	290	1	176.8	16
2004	195	774	3	50	310	1	132.4	29

Positives - Marshall Faulk is healthy once again, but he is not the same player he used to be. Knowing this, he decided it was best to hand over the reigns to second-year star in the making, Steven Jackson. Faulk won’t be a mainstay on the sidelines though, he’ll likely flank out as a receiver and contribute more to the passing game. We all know what Faulk is capable of, so in the event of an injury to Jackson, consider Faulk an adequate replacement that could pay big dividends in the Rams wide open offense. Even without the starting role, Faulk will still contribute, especially in the passing game, which bodes well for those that are rewarded points per reception.

Negatives - While Faulk may be healthy this season, he is not close to being the player he was in the past that managed to reach a record 2000 total yards for four consecutive years. Faulk has chronic knee problems that keep him from being the explosive, quick-footed back that he once was. While Faulk relinquished his #1 running back role to lessen the load on his body, it’s possible that even a part time workload could prove to be too much to handle. Faulk’s value lies on his ability to stay healthy and the chance that he might see more involvement in the event of an injury to Steve Jackson.

Draft Strategy - With my next two picks I wanted to get Marshall Faulk and Jerome Bettis. I decided it was best to grab Faulk first and hope that Bettis can last two more picks, before I pick again. Although Faulk is not the starting back in St. Louis, he’ll still see the field as a receiver. In the event of an injury to starting running back Steven Jackson, Faulk will likely step in, which would definitely increase his value and help my team.