Marshall Faulk played his college ball at San Diego State, where he would become a 3- time All-American running back. In 1994, Marshall Faulk was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts. Though drafted by the Colts, it was in St. Louis that Faulk really made his name. The gifted rusher was able to sustain a long NFL career, playing in 12 seasons.
To this day, he is one of only three players to have 10,000 rushing yards and 5,000 receiving yards. Faulk racked up a number of honors: including 7 Pro Bowl votes, an AP MVP award in 2000, and a Super Bowl XXXIV victory against the Titans. Faulk would earn the highest honor possible when he was announced as a first-ballot induction into Canton.
Pro Player Insiders’ Blake Novacek was fortunate enough to speak with the former NFL star and now NFL Network analyst. Faulk was not shy in discussing his thoughts on the current state of affairs in St. Louis, and his opinion on the new rule for running backs that prevents them from tucking their head outside of the tackle box.
PPI: Being a running back and seeing the changes in the NFL, obviously avoiding leading with the head, what do you think about that rule change?
MF: I understand what they’re trying to do, and what the competition committee is trying to accomplish with the rule, but I think that obviously they don’t understand the game and how its played. We will have to sit back and wait to see how the refs are going to call it because if they call the rule how the rule is being stated, its going to be crazy. I really don’t understand what the running back is going to do to protect himself and he’s going to have to take it on the chin now.
MF: This was one of the better drafts that the Rams have had. I just think that as great of a player as RGIII was last year; these are the types of benefits of trading the pick to the Washington Redskins has gotten the Rams. They basically got everything they wanted out of this draft. With good health, I’m excited to see this team on the football field.
PPI: Obviously losing Steven Jackson is going to have a big impact. How do you think that the Rams current rushers can improve and what have they learned from a player like Jackson?
MF: Anytime you put a couple of guys in the position of competition, and you see young guys like Daryl Richardson and Isaiah Pead who want that spot, they want to compete they want that spot. I believe with the addition of Austin and the others thing they did, they are going to create some open space for the running back to excel in this offense. Obviously it’s going to come down to what Sam Bradford can do, if he can stay healthy, and if the offensive line can keep him upright. But I really like the fact that these two young guys last year competed, Richardson beat Pead out and became the number two spot and they’re going to compete again.
PPI: Do you think there will be any surprises entering the Playoffs or have any two specific teams in mind that will go to the Super Bowl this year?
MF: Super Bowl-wise, I don’t know. As for surprise teams on the cusp of making a Super Bowl run, I think that the Rams are going to be one of those teams. I look at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and what they did. They’re going to be a force and that NFC South is tough and is going to be a tough division.
Click here to listen to PPI’s : Marshall Faulk interview
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