Patriots Free Agents 2012: Kevin Faulk

by Greg Knopping on Feb 13, 2012 8:05 AM EST in Patriots Player Profiles

Over the next two weeks, we'll be looking at each Patriots free agent and projecting whether or not they will re-sign with the Patriots this offseason;

Kevin Faulk

Age: 35

Position: Running back

Status: Unrestricted Free Agent

2011 Stats: 7 games played; 3 starts; 17 carries, 57 yards; 7 receptions, 24 yards

Overview: After 13 incredible years with the Patriots, it looks like Kevin Faulk's career could be coming to an end. Faulk has been supplanted by Danny Woodhead as the team's primary 3rd down back. After coming off the PUP list earlier this year, Faulk initially played a big role in the Steelers game, before his playtime fell off completely. While part of the reason could have been due to a sore knee as Faulk recovered from a torn ACL, it was pretty apparent by the end of the year that the Patriots would be moving on from him. While I could see the Patriots offering Faulk an unguaranteed contract to compete for a spot in training camp, he appears a longshot to be on the 53 man roster this September. Nonetheless, Faulk has had a great career in New England, and is one of the smartest, hardworking players to ever play for the Patriots. I could definitely envision a scenario where he returns to the Patriots as a member of the coaching staff in 2012, since that's what his role has essentially been the past two years.

Prediction: Retires (and maybe returns an an assistant coach)

Tweet Comment 4 comments | 1 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

First of all...

I would like to say welcome to everybody at Pats Pulpit, I’ve been following since the ‘07-playoffs and finally decided to join the community because I feel like I need a place to talk about the Patriots, with people as (positively) fanatic as I am. But enough about me, let’s talk some football!

Regarding the topic of Kevin Faulk, I believe the only way he’s coming back is as a camp body, helping to further tutor our young running backs like Vereen or Ridley (the same way as David Patten with the receivers during 2010 training camp). I’ve always been a huge fan of Faulk but I believe both he and the organisation know it’s time to move on. With that being said I hope that we might have some spot as a coach reserved for him.

by Offensive Jazz Interference on Feb 13, 2012 11:09 AM EST reply actions

Well, it should be “I would like to say hello to everybody at Pats Pulpit.”
So much for an eloquent first comment…

by Offensive Jazz Interference on Feb 13, 2012 11:28 AM EST up reply actions

Welcome!

And I agree on pretty much everything you said. Faulk said at the end of the year that he’d like to go into coaching. I don’t know if Belichick offers him a job in that capacity, but it is certainly something interesting to watch.

by Greg Knopping on Feb 13, 2012 11:34 AM EST up reply actions

Glad you joined

and I agree with your outlook on Faulk. My guess is that if he doesn’t retire this offseason, he’ll do a Tedy Bruschi and join the team in Training Camp before coming to the conclusion that it’s time to retire. I remember Bruschi saying that his legs wouldn’t respond fast enough to what his brain was telling them to do, and realizing that he couldn’t play to the level he expected of himself.

The same could happen with Faulk. I love Kevin, but the team already has his replacements. Have to admit it’s sad when it happens to a guy like him though.

Keep the faith!

by Marima on Feb 13, 2012 4:38 PM EST up reply actions