Kevin Faulk wasn’t sure what his future held with the Patriots after he tore his ACL during Week 2 of the 2010 season.
The Pats’ all-purpose yardage leader was on IR, and his contract was up at the end of the season.
But Faulk got a call from coach Bill Belichick shortly before the start of the lockout saying the team wanted the 13-year vet back.
Faulk’s resume speaks for itself, but he’s getting up there in age. It was his leadership and attitude that earned him another opportunity.
“He’s been a team player,” Belichick said yesterday. “He takes great pride and professionalism in his job. He’s a great example for all of us in terms of being a professional and being team-oriented and putting himself secondary to team goals and setting a great example.”
Belichick was quick to put Faulk up in the ranks of prototypical Patriots from the last decade, too.
“He’s along the lines of Troy Brown, Tedy Bruschi, Rodney Harrison and many other players we’ve had like that,” Belichick said. “He’s really at the top of that list.”
The Pats drafted two running backs this year: Shane Vereen and Steven Ridley. With a short offseason, they’ll need all the help they can get — from coaches and, if they’re smart, Faulk.
“I think any player on the team or any coaches on the team for that matter that watches Kevin Faulk can see positives in Kevin and learn from it,” Belichick said. “He’s an inspiration to all of us the way he carries himself, the way he goes about his job and his positive contributions to the team.”
