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I'm sure you're aware but wanted to forward the latest from ESPN.com
Faulk To Undergo Knee Surgery http://espn.go.com/nfl/news/2000/1105/860356.html From the article: St. Louis Rams running back Marshall Faulk will undergo surgery Monday to remove loose cartilage from his right knee, an injury that forced him out of Sunday night's loss to the Carolina Panthers. Faulk practiced Friday and went out for (pregame) warmups after having the knee drained earlier Sunday, but the knee began to lock on him. Coach Mike Martz said team doctors told him Faulk would miss only 2-3 weeks. But teammate D'Marco Farr, a defensive tackle, was out a month with a similar operation. "He could feel the cartilage getting hung up in there," Martz said. "Really, there was nothing else to do." Justin Watson started in place of Faulk, who leads the NFL with 1,326 yards from scrimmage. Faulk suited up for the first half, but was wearing sweats after the break. Watson scored on a 3-yard run in the third quarter, but finished with 12 yards on 12 carries. Faulk has been playing with a sore knee most of the season. An MRI on Monday also revealed torn scar tissue and an enlarged bruise in addition to the loose cartilage. My View: Coach Mike Martz called him "Superman" last week as he battled through injuries. Apparently, he's mortal after all. The surgery to remove the loose particles is relatively uninvasive and he should be back in 2-3 weeks. If you started Faulk, don't be kicking yourself. There was nothing you or anyone else could have done. As of late Sunday afternoon / evening, he was still the starter. You can't control last minute scratches when a player has a problem during pregame warm-ups. All Faulk owners knew he wasn't 100% but we all know he's still one of the best RBs in the game even when dinged up. Hindsight is 20 / 20. Let it go. All you can do is move forward. Let's look at it analytically: The problem now becomes a matter of timing. If Faulk comes back according to schedule, he'll be ready in week 13 or 14. Most FF leagues play a 14 game regular season with playoffs in weeks 15 and 16 (or 17 if your league hasn't wised up yet) This means Faulk will likely miss your regular season but be available for your Fantasy League Playoffs. For Teams that own Faulk: As we predicted, Justin Watson carried the load for Faulk but he was hardly impressive with 12 yards on 12 carries, although he did get the TD. I'd think he'll improve but it's obvious Faulk, not just the system, is the driving force behind his success. What I'm saying is that plugging Watson in is not a situation like Trent Green or Jeff George stepping in. Watson struggled and one has to worry about Trung Canidate (if he ever sheds the candybone label) or Robert Holcombe. A better option might be taking a look at some less glamorous RBs that are playing very well right now like Chicago's James Allen, Buffalo's Sammy Morris or J.R. Redmond in New England. If you've got a playoff spot secured, don't panic. Grab a lesser RB via trade or free agency and hang on for the playoffs, keeping your fingers crossed for a quick and full recovery. If you need a big push just to make the playoffs, I'd think very hard about dealing Faulk and shoring up your short term needs. You have to remember, you've got to MAKE the playoffs in order to win your Fantasy Bowl. For Teams who don't own Faulk: The question you must ask yourself is do you have depth somewhere that you'd be willing to trade away for Faulk? If you seem a lock for the Fantasy Playoffs, it might be a great move. In other words, you trade some depth away for an injured Faulk that you know will be a bench player for you over the next few weeks. In turn, you get Faulk back just in time for your playoff push. But you're banking on #1 Making the playoffs and #2 Faulk being ready by week 14. Only you can judge your chances for #1 but from all I'm hearing, #2 seems pretty darn likely. If you've got the playoffs spot sewn up, it could be a great move to trade for Faulk now. Don't give up too much. Don't hesitate to let the Faulk owner know that teammate D'Marco Farr was out of action for a month with a similar injury and we all know a RB's knee takes much more stress with the cutting that does a Defensive Tackle's. Throw in some comments about St. Louis resting Faulk for the playoffs. Speaking of the "resting for the playoff" factor - You have to look at how well the Saints are playing. The Super Bowl champs are in real danger of not even winning their own division. It looks like St. Louis will be battling to the end of the regular season so while still a possibility, the Rams resting all their players doesn't seem as likely as it did a month ago. Another reason you shouldn't give up too much in trading for Faulk. Make sure to "sell" your position either way based on whether you're a Faulk owner or not. If you're trading him away, you want to talk up the Saints and the tough scenarios if St. Louis loses again (the hot Giants are next on the road). St. Louis will be fighting for their lives you'll say. If you're dealing for Faulk, obviously, you'll take the other side of the fence and talk about how Martz is smart and will likely rest Faulk for the postseason. The truth, in my opinion, lies closer to the side of Faulk will be pressed back into service for the regular season. Assuming the surgery / rehab goes well of course. Faulk's one of the tougher guys in the league, so I have no reason to believe he won't make a normal recovery. Bottom line is look at this situation going forward. You can't do anything about what's happened. Make it work to your advantage over the next few weeks. Good luck! I'll see you tonight with the Upgrade and Downgrade Player Report. Joe To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: cheatsheets-unsubscribe@egroups.com
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