Quick Kicks: Faulk, Neal wanted to finish in NE
Written by Erik Scalavino on March 11, 2010 – 5:09 pm -Some quick observations about a pair of conference calls I just took part in with RB Kevin Faulk and G Stephen Neal.
Both players, who re-signed with New England in the past few days, mentioned their desire to play their entire careers with one team as key factors in their decisions to stay with the Patriots — in Faulk’s case, for one more year, and in Neal’s, two more.
From the sounds of their responses, the two didn’t appear to have many other offers, either, but both Faulk and Neal admitted that they would have considered switching teams if the right deal came along. But both seemed to view the lack of interest from other clubs as blessings in disguise. Neal said it will be “special” to play for one team his whole career. Faulk, in fact, drew an analogy to baseball’s Nomar Garciaparra, who signed a 1-day contract with the Red Sox this week so he could retire with his original MLB team.
“It’s great that he came back, but if he’d have done it here [his whole career], it would have been even better.”
When asked about the locker room leadership issues, which resurfaced this week with Vince Wilfork’s re-signing, Faulk conceded, “We lost a lot of leaders on our team the year before last … Some of the best we’ve ever had.”
He added that perhaps some of the assigned team leaders were asked to lead in ways that didn’t suit their styles or personalities … I read that as a veiled attempt to explain Jerod Mayo’s predicament as a second-year player and team co-captain a year ago.
Mayo’s an admitted “leader-by-example,” as is Faulk. But the latter said teams need vocal leaders as well. I found that interesting, since most of last year’s captains were regarded as leaders-by-example, rather than vocal guys. I’ll be anxious to see who the ‘10 squad votes as their captains this year.
Another quote from Faulk that grabbed my attention was this one:
“I’m a player, but I’m a fan as well. Yeah, I’d like to go to the playoffs and the Super Bowl every year. But realisitically, how often does that happen? When we did it, we just got on a roll.”
A refreshingly honest assessment of dynastic sports franchises in this day and age, I’d say. He didn’t say the Patriots’ run was over, but he put expectations in perspective, it seems to me.
Neal, meanwhile, revealed that he only decided a couple of weeks ago, once his body had sufficiently healed from last season’s pounding, that he was fit enough to give it one last go in the NFL.
“I don’t want to end my career like that,” he said, commenting on the embarrassing playoff loss to Baltimore in January.
Neal’s clearly thinking post-football, though. He spent a good deal of time talking about his efforts to save the wrestling program at his alma mater, Cal State-Bakersfield, which is in jeopardy of being axed. He also didn’t rule out an attempt to pursue Olympic wrestling, but said it was a long shot.
As for a rumored future in mixed martial arts, Neal replied with a chuckle, “I’m not sure my wife would allow me to do that.”
You can hear the full audio of both conference calls on patriots.com.
Posted in General |
March 11th, 2010 at 6:48 pm
it’s nice to have them back, but that’s status quo which is not what the team needs. If they mess up this draft, forgget about them for a long while
March 11th, 2010 at 7:08 pm
HEy, what do you think of adding Andra Davis to the linebacker corp?
March 11th, 2010 at 8:58 pm
Thereis no question The Pats needed leadership last yr and never had that Nobody stepped up
March 11th, 2010 at 10:16 pm
I consider Mr. Faulk one of the best in an on going struggle to make the key 3rd and go offence that sets up those important game winning drives.With Walker owneing the 2nd and 8 to even the 3rd and long, and Moss now cutting accros or going deep it has been left up to Tom to pick apart and have the for ever New England favorit Mr. Faulk a great assist
March 11th, 2010 at 10:57 pm
Thanks for the update Eric.
It was an interesting comment by Faulk about their runs to the Super Bowl.
I’m guessing some players (AD) are content with counting their money win or lose. But, if your a player AND a fan, you give the important emotional outbursts like we saw during their last play-off game that was led by non other than Mr.Faulk. A role he didn’t have to play in previous years because of guys like Bruschi and Harrison.( OK,OK, I know their gone)
I think when Brady came onto the scene, he was the missing part for an existing championship caliber team because of the strong leaders. Be that as it may, lets look to the future( any other option?), and hope Belichick has some hidden stat sheet for UFA/draft leadership skills coming to Foxborough this fall.
Some solid signings as of late, but we aint there yet…
March 12th, 2010 at 3:44 am
Last point for today:
Patriots holes:
#1-Sign a veteran OLB with better than average pass rushing ability!
#2-Sign a 3rd Wide Reciever,not a 3rd down guy,but hopefully a #1 or #2 WR!Marshall,Mason,Holt,Coles,etc.As long as he’s a play-maker! We need him now with Welker out for at least 50% of the season!
#3-D-Lineman,again a veteran who can come in and start!Leanard Little comes to mind?
#4-A shut down Cornerback would’nt hurt! Darius Butler is getting better,Jonathen Wilhite isn’t,and what ever happened to #22 Terrence Wheatley? Was a 2nd round pick,unlike Wilhite a 4th,and he started over Wheatley!
#5- OLB Shawn Crable. I certainly hope Bill Belichek isn’t getting a OLB in free agency because he’s banking on Crable starting,or at least rotating in? 6′5 243 pounds,long lanky build,strong,fast,definatly a “conversion” player that Belichek likes! Also I like,for 3 years now! Never seen him play in a regular season game,but in pre-season games he has 3-4 sacks,2 batted balls,forced fumble,lots of QB pressure,all the goods! But,he’s been on I.R. for EVER!
Can’t wait for the Crables,Wheatley’s,McKenzies,anymore! Gotta go get the players to better our team now via free agency!
March 12th, 2010 at 8:47 am
I’m happy to hear that New England has re-signed key players. What are the chances that we add key role players this year? It would be nice to see the Patriots court veteran guys like Darren Sharper or L.T? Our secondary had a tough time last year and Maroney fumbled too many times, especially in the redzone.
March 12th, 2010 at 10:04 am
Good players who finish their careers in NE. It’s alwasys a pleasure to see Kevin Faulk come in on 3rd down and make the play that moves the chains. The opposition knows it but Kevin makes the play. Tougher to diagnose lineman, but Neal did a great job in becomming a star having NO previous football experience.
March 12th, 2010 at 10:57 am
They may not be the players that they used to be, nor are they the best players at their positions, but they are more than just adequate. They will hold the posts until someone better comes along, and will give up their spots unselfishly when the time comes. Their real value is that they want to be here and bring a great attitude.
March 12th, 2010 at 11:06 am
I think that it is kind of a slap in the face that the pats signed faulk to only 1 yr what are they going to do sign 1 yr at a time until he retires just sign him for 1 mill a year for 4-5 yrs he is the best running back they have not to mention what he does on third down. He is a blocker and gives up his body on every play.
March 12th, 2010 at 11:07 am
get rid of maroney and it is time to start paying real players and get some leaders in the locker room
March 12th, 2010 at 11:09 am
what good is getting david patten back maby we should get rid of brady and bring backthe first quater back that the pats drated when they came in the league
March 12th, 2010 at 11:10 am
tully banticane is are only pass rusher that is sad
March 12th, 2010 at 11:13 am
it is time to keep your top draft picks and stop trading down in the draft do not get tewbo we have to many other holes to fill the team has been dismantled and now we have to start rebuilding but you can not rebuild by taking your draft picks every year and giong down in the draft.
March 12th, 2010 at 11:19 am
either take a dump or get off the pot resign moss and get a runing back and start useing the tight ends o wait a minute we do not have any owell we never use them anyway see you on the beach. o and another thing why is the pro bowl before the super bowl and lets stop going to other countries and pushing our sport on them and focus on our people for ounce.
March 12th, 2010 at 3:48 pm
Please patriot please make a move for some a pass rusher. I really don’t want to watch manning, flacco and all the other QB’s have 6 seconds to throw the ball. Last year was painful and I’m nervous we are going to see that again. I like that you finally paid wilfork what he deserves and like the other signings, yet I’m afraid the team hasn’t gotten better. Just maintained a mediocore team that got butts handed to them in the first round of playoffs. Just in case you don’t remember Wes Welker will be out most of the season please get a receiver!!!!
March 12th, 2010 at 5:33 pm
good to see these guys finish with pats. they will still contribute at a high level. faulk has one more year left, as he is not getting any younger with his 13th year coming? i look for the pats to draft a rookie to be under his tutelage
March 12th, 2010 at 5:43 pm
pats should go all out getting a pass rusher and its time wilfork stepped up and started being a vocal team leader. he has got the credentials. i agree that the david patten signing seems dumb. lets get a high calibur reciever in there. even off the rookie draft would be good.
March 14th, 2010 at 12:16 pm
Eric the Pats came over to the UK once and since the Pats are probaley the best supported NFL team in the UK i dont think once is too bad and it was your away fixture as well. I for one can’t afford to come to the US and have no chance getting tickets so for me it was a dream come true.
March 14th, 2010 at 12:18 pm
As far as the forthcoming draft is concerned i would like to see a decent back up QB selected, as Tom isn’t going to be around for ever and seems to be picking up injuries at a more alarming rate.
March 14th, 2010 at 12:48 pm
The NFL has always been focused on its fans Eric. This whole Euro thing is just to try and bring in more money and I dont blame them one bit.
The Patriots do have a ways to go but I expect that they will field the best team possible come September. From great coach to great players, I continue to love what my team is doing year in and year out.
Kick some butt Patriots!
March 16th, 2010 at 10:28 pm
Not buying the bs from LT on his reasons for going with the Jets. I think he wanted to walk in and take over with the Vikings but they werent havent any of that. Notice he only had 2 teams going after him…that alone says volumes. Jets got suckered on this move!! But I am very happy that Big Mouth Rex is so happy about getting him.
March 17th, 2010 at 1:49 pm
I was watching a great show this afternoon, about the Pats 2004 season, while watching I relized what made them so special. Versatility different players played alot of different positions Vrabel played tight end/ linebacker, Dan Klecko played the nose/guard/receiver Troy Brown receiver/ corner, a thousand yard runner and a play making D Versatility was key teams couldn’t cover everyone some were confused let’s go back to our D that’s what has won 3 trophies
March 23rd, 2010 at 10:58 pm
Re: Eric. Why are you so against the game you love going out to a wider audience?? The games here in the UK are well followed, always sold out in hours, and attended by fans of all 32 teams. It wasn’t pushed on us either, we wanted it, and thank you very much to the NFL for allowing us to get up close and personal with the game we love, here over the pond.
April 20th, 2010 at 8:49 pm
kevin faulk can’t go anywhere that guy is MR.GOLD and we’re damn lucky to have him