FAULK CALLS IT QUITS
Adam Schefter of NFL Network reports that Rams running back Marshall Faulk will announce his retirement on Monday from the league's 2007 Annual Meeting in Phoenix.
Faulk sat out all of the 2006 season, and worked instead for NFL Network. There were rumors that he would possibly re-emerge in 2007 with the Lions. In fact, Detroit offensive coordinator Mike Martz risked tampering charges by talking about Faulk while he was under contract with St. Louis.
"Shoot, I'd ride a bicycle up to pick him up," Martz said of Faulk.
The 12-year veteran played five seasons for the Colts and seven for the Rams. His arrival in 1999 helped propel the Rams to their first and only Super Bowl win.
For his career, Faulk rushed for 12,279 yards (4.3 average yards per carry) and he caught 767 passes for 6,875 yards. Faulk also scored 136 touchdowns, the fourth highest total in league history.
He was the NFL's MVP in 2000, one year after and one year before the same award was won by former Rams quarterback Kurt Warner.
Per Schefter, the fact that Faulk wasn't on an active roster in 2006 makes him eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2011, in the same year that both Jerome Bettis and Curtis Martin will have their first cracks at getting in.