Marshall Faulk out for the season

Rams' Faulk will likely miss 2006 season (http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/rams/2006-07-21-faulk-surgery_x.htm?POE=SPOISVA)
USA Today - 6 hours ago
... Louis Rams running back Marshall Faulk will have major reconstructive knee surgery and will almost certainly miss the entire 2006 season, Rams coach Scott ...



Sounds like he's still leaving the door open to return next year. He should probably retire, what do you guys think?

I think he's had a fantastic career, Hall of Fame even, that's unfortunately been on the gradual decline. I've always enjoyed watching him play but I think this injury could take too long to come back from for him to still make an impact with the Rams.

i heard that he was considering retirement THIS offseason. i would be really suprised to see him return in 07. he has had a stellar carrer and has nothing left to prove. he will be remembered as one of the greatest!

Question for you TAFKAS.

I too think Faulk is HOF worthy. My question to you is this:

First ballot HOF'er??

In my opinion, its easier for players like Faulk to get into the hall simply because they got much more exposure than the players of years past. Not to take anything away from him because he would have been great in any era. I almost feel like the players of years past get short changed when it comes to the hall because they played when football wasn't as widely popular(out of sight, out of mind).

I think he gets in the hall but there shouldn't be such a rush to get these guys in on the first ballot.

I think guys like Faulk, Ricky Watters, Roger Craig all should be in or at least strongly considered for the Hall but not necessarily first ballot

Ricky Watters? No way.
Craig I'll buy but only in a been on the ballot for 8 years and no one better is the ballot kinda way.
Faulk is a lock but probably not first timer.

Ricky Watters? No way.
Craig I'll buy but only in a been on the ballot for 8 years and no one better is the ballot kinda way.
Faulk is a lock but probably not first timer.


I dont know, if you look at Ricky Watters numbers they are very very impressive. The problem is when he went to Seattle/Philadelphia he kinda became unoticed after he left the niners. I wouldnt make a huge uproar if Watters went in, but there are a ton of guys not in now (see Monk, Art) who should be in way way way before someone like that.

im not sold on ricky watters, either. but faulks numbers are up there with the all time greats. roger craig was a good(not great) running back on some awesome niner teams. no hall for him

he hasnt been great for a few years now, and last year he was barely featured i think, 400 yards rushing maybe? its time for him to go

It may be that the Rams have asked him not to retire this year because of how it would affect their salary cap.

From my best guess, if Faulk were to retire now, his $2 million in salary would disappear, and he would count $2 million against the cap form his bonus. He would then count $4 million next year. He currently counts $4M for this year.

If he went on PUP or IR this year, he would still count that $4M. Next year, his salary is $2.6M and cap figure a little over $4.6M. Were he to retire on June 1 or before, the $2.6M would disappear, but he would still count $4M because of the signing bonus proration still unaccounted for in 2008.

Were he to retire after June 1, he would count $2M in 2007 and $2M in 2008.

Without knowing all the nuances of St. Louis' cap situation, I'd say they may rather spend a little extra now, to save a little extra later.