Kevin Faulk

by feetey on Feb 14, 2012 9:12 PM EST

Comments please.

Before this season I really wanted Kevin Faulk to come back.

Statistically running backs are ranked by most analysts by how many yards they run for, not how many rushing attempts they have. Statistically receivers are ranked by how many catches they have, not how many yards they gain. My point is not that statistics are inaccurate and not some reflection of how good various players are. But my point is that as we look at and analyze who were the best players at their positions, we look at what stats analyst tell us are important.I believe if analysts tracked a statistic called something like first downs achieved, or maybe a weighted statistic of first down achieved on third down, Kevin Faulk would be considered one of the best backs of all time.

If Kevin Faulk was suppose to comeback this year to play a role similar to the role Alge Crumpler played the year before, things did not work out too well. This year, Faulk's contributions on offense, be they contributions as a runner, receiver or blocker did not seem substantial to me. At least Crumpler carved out a role for himself on the team as the seldom used blocking tight end. Faulk did not seem to have a role on the team.

Moreover, if Faulk was suppose to be a good teacher and influence on our two rookie running backs in the way Crumpler may have influenced our two rookie tight ends last year, he did not seem very effective. Although the two running backs were drafted just as high if not higher than the two tight ends, the two running backs barely saw the field and made little impact.

In the Super Bowl Woodhead was effective as a back out of the backfield on a few plays. It appeared that the Giants were allowing Brady to throw that little check down pass to a back that Faulk has caught well for years. Green-Ellis also caught a screen and Faulk has been very good at catching screens and turning them into first downs. People talk about Brady and Branch having good chemistry but the chemistry between Brady and Faulk is as good if not better. Maybe Faulk could have contributed, at least more than Steven Ridley who was active but never saw the field.

Any thoughts on any of this stuff?

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Comments

Stats

The reason that recievers are often ranked by receptions is because you have to get open and catch the ball to have a reception. Anyone can get carries.

by Mattyice22 on Feb 14, 2012 9:29 PM EST reply actions

That's very insightful but

My point is that in the NFL most anyone can get open and catch the ball. It is much harder to get open and catch the ball passed the first down marker, catch the ball and then run for a first down, or catch the ball in the red zone.

Similarly, I am saying that while running for yardage is what is tracked by statisticians, running for first downs is what is done by a back playing good situational football.Running for two yards does not pad a backs stats to much, but if a back runs for two yards on fourth down and one, that’s a very important play to the team.

But I see your point.

by feetey on Feb 15, 2012 9:36 AM EST up reply actions

I hope you don't mind, but I added a few space breaks.

Sadly, I don’t see Kevin Faulk returning. I know what you’re saying though, and remember a conversation years ago with some Colts fans about how valuable Faulk was to the team. If you weren’t familiar with him and only looked at his stats, you’d underestimate his smart play and productive role in the outcome of games. His carries and catches, regardless of how many, most likely resulted in first downs or were vital to keeping a TD drive alive.

BenJarvus Green-Ellis has been open in lauding Faulk’s mentoring and willingness to impart his wisdom to him and the young running backs. Belichick also showed how much he values Faulk, by allowing him to travel with the team while injured and inactive, and be on the sideline to help the RBs.

Keep the faith!

by Marima on Feb 14, 2012 10:07 PM EST reply actions

Thanks

by feetey on Feb 15, 2012 9:39 AM EST up reply actions

I don't see Kevin Faulk coming back and the reason is simple.

He always came up big in the biggest games. That’s his thing. Now in the biggest game of the year last year, the Super Bowl, he didn’t even get a chance to suit up.

The Patriots have moved on past him. It happens to every player. I would suspect he retires in camp like Bruschi did.

The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
Some people can learn from the mistakes of others, while some people need to pee on the electric fence themselves.

by SlotMachinePlayer on Feb 15, 2012 1:13 PM EST reply actions

Farewell, Faulk

I think he’s done. Shame he couldn’t go out with one final ring. About the leadership/mentor roll, though, Crumpler had an entire offseason w/ Gronk and Hernando (I am right about this, right?) so that could have made a major difference. 2011 was a bad year to get drafted.

Oh my god a floor zombie! Oh wait, thats you
- Toby Turner

by New Century Silver on Feb 15, 2012 3:01 PM EST reply actions