Kevin Faulk stays a Patriot

by MaPatsFan on Mar 10, 2010 9:57 PM EST in Opinion/Analysis

There aren't too many guys Hoodie gets nostalgic about. In fact, there's very few: Tom Brady, Tedy Bruschi, Rodney Harrison, Troy Brown and we could probably add Kevin Faulk to that list after today. Ian Rapoport reports the numbers:

It’s a one-year deal, which we knew, with the potential to earn $3 million. Faulk gets a signing bonus of $1 million, a salary of $1 million, and the chance to earn $1 million in incentives.

For a guy who will hit 34 in training camp, that's not a bad deal. There were offers from the Redskins and Eagles, but did anyone really think "Mr. Third Down" would leave us for another team? One of the most beloved Patriots, even by rivals, could never walk away from this team. Never. After 11 seasons, Faulk even pre-dates Belichick. No, there's no way he was going to another team.

This was a nod of respect to one of the most respected players on the team. A one year deal like this is usually reserved for a player who's going to retire after that year. I think this is what will happen with Kevin. Finish his 12th season in the NFL, and as a Patriot, while he's still on top. This is a good deal for Kevin, the team, and us fans. We get to watch Mr. Third Down for one more season.

Every time he runs or grabs an option, I'll pay that much more attention. It could be the last time I see him do that.

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since it is a 1 yr deal

this is his last year in the nfl imo…hope he goes out as a winner

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by NinjaZX6R on Mar 11, 2010 12:46 AM EST reply actions

He could be like Jason Varitek...

…just gets continuous 1 year extensions until he wants to retire.

by Richard Hill on Mar 11, 2010 12:59 AM EST up reply actions

If that's okay with Faulk, then that's okay with me

He looked good last season, and his experience and leadership is invaluable.

Keep the faith!

by Marima on Mar 11, 2010 7:51 AM EST up reply actions

That's Tim Wakefield

Not Varitek

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by Randy Booth on Mar 12, 2010 3:46 PM EST up reply actions

Ah, true.

by Richard Hill on Mar 12, 2010 4:25 PM EST up reply actions

Nice..

This was a good thing to do both strategically and for Faulk. I hope they get a super bowl this year for him given it’s his last.. that and I think it’s in Dallas this year so winning one in front of Jerry would be awesome.

by satsunada on Mar 11, 2010 2:21 AM EST reply actions

Hah, the Eagles cut Westbrook and then immediately went after Faulk?

I guess that suggests the Eagles know something about Westbrook that the rest of us don’t…

Scratch him off the list of guys to consider for free-agent pickups.

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by Comedic.Sans on Mar 11, 2010 3:27 AM EST reply actions

I compared the two in my story a little while back.

Westbrook is one head shot away from done.

My life has been a trivial pursuit. Trivia: where three roads meet.
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by SlotMachinePlayer on Mar 11, 2010 8:53 AM EST up reply actions

By the way

Talking about RB and free agency, NO Pierre Thomas and Mike Bell are on the market… Aren’t they good options for our running game?

by kleitonsc on Mar 11, 2010 10:00 AM EST up reply actions

Yes - both are great RBs

But they will probably cost low-Primary Running Back money. NE may not want to pay that if the intent is to have them just be parts of a RBC.

by mmmmm on Mar 11, 2010 1:00 PM EST up reply actions

Oh man... I can't even imagine the Pats without Faulk

I can’t believe this might actually be his last season. Its always a big bucket of cold water when I read that the man is 34… specially after he played so well last season.

by bbismyhero on Mar 11, 2010 9:57 AM EST reply actions

He's improved the last couple of seasons as a runner.

My life has been a trivial pursuit. Trivia: where three roads meet.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.

by SlotMachinePlayer on Mar 11, 2010 10:41 AM EST up reply actions

yeah, oddly he has gotten to be more physical

He runs straight down hill a lot more these last couple of years.

That’s not the usual trend among most backs as they age.

Of course, as a 3rd-down back and primarily a pass-catcher, KF hasn’t taken the same sort of pounding that some RBs might have by age 34.

by mmmmm on Mar 11, 2010 1:02 PM EST up reply actions

Faulk is one of my favorite Patriots

So this is great news!

And in my opinion a much better option a third-down, receiving back than LT and Westbrook.

by hythlodaeus on Mar 11, 2010 1:44 PM EST reply actions

33...

is a Pro’s Pro.

(Sorry; it’s in my contract.)

As Mr. Sloan always says, there is no "I" in team, but there is an "I" in pie. And there's an "I" in meat pie. Anagram of meat is team... I don't know what he's talking about. --Shaun of the Dead

by JohnHannahRules on Mar 11, 2010 2:21 PM EST reply actions