Yardbarker: Kevin Faulk

'The Bullitt Shot' heard around the NFL world

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:59:58 -0500

Perhaps it's because I've enjoyed a great relationship with S Melvin Bullitt since he arrived at Colts training camp in 2007 as the "undrafted dude with a cool last name." Or maybe it's because letting go of last Sunday night's Colts-Patriots game isn't so easy. Some games, well, you remember forever. Or maybe it's because when Bullitt tackled Patriots RB Kevin Faulk on the fourth-and-2 pass play in the final minutes of the fourth quarter, on the national st...

Harbaugh on Bill Belichick's fourth-down call: "The numbers were probably on his side"

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:27:50 -0500

One of the questions posed to coach John Harbaugh during today's press briefing involved New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick's decision to go for it on fourth down-and-2 from the team's own 28-yard line with just a little more than two minutes left in the game and the Patriots clinging to a six-point lead. New England got only one yard from a Tom Brady pass to running back Kevin Faulk, and the Indianapolis Colts scored the game-winning touchdown to emerge with a 35-34 vic...

Kevin Faulk master of the blitz pickup

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:29:16 -0500

Running back Kevin Faulk was not known for his prowess at picking up blitzing defenders when he first came into the league. He’ll admit he wasn’t very good at all. Through hard work, he’s evolved into one of the best in the league. That skill will definitely come into handy on Sunday versus the blitz-happy [...]

A premature look at playoff scenarios: Bengals have the second seed in the AFC

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:03:55 -0500

More photos » by AJ Mast - AP 2 days ago: New England Patriots running back Kevin Faulk (33) is tackled by Indianapolis Colts cornerback Melvin Bullitt (33) on fourth down during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game in Indianapolis, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2009. Indianapolis won 35-34. (AP Photo/AJ Mast) Browse more photos » With 2:08 left in the fourth quarter, with a 34-28 lead, the New England Patr...

Mailbag and Mishmash

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:34:18 -0500

Random thoughts that wouldn't fit anywhere else... First an email from Brian H: I have a question concerning what constitutes forward progress on the 4th and 2 play from Sunday night's Colts/Patriots game.If a player has his momentum carrying him backwards before he has possession of the football, is forward progress "established" once he gains possession and the ball spotted at that point, or is the ball spotted where he is down by contact since he was never moving fo...

Yahoo! Sports Dan Wretzel is a whiny cry baby

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 09:41:23 -0500

More photos » by Elise Amendola - AP about 21 hours ago: New England Patriots NFL football head coach Bill Belichick walks from the podium after speaking about his decision not to punt late in their 35-34 loss Sunday to the Indianapolis Colts, at a news conference in Foxborough, Mass. Monday, Nov. 16, 2009. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola) Browse more photos » Seriously Dan? I mean, seriously? The worst ca...

Counterpoint: Pros outweighed the cons on Belichick's 4th and 2

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 11:50:09 -0500

As Chase noted earlier in his post criticizing Bill Belichick for "The Decision," Belichick took a beating from the media after last night's game. Rodney Harrison(notes), who still calls the Patriots "we," verbally put the boots to Belichick from the NBC post-game show. Tony Dungy, maybe the friendliest guy on the planet, lambasted him for it, too. Over on ESPN, Trent Dilfer(notes) absolutely murdered Belichick for the call. I'm going to respectfully disagree...

Recap Week Ten: Colts 35 - Patriots 34

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:48:21 -0500

by AJ Mast - AP about 10 hours ago: New England Patriots running back Kevin Faulk (33) is tackled by Indianapolis Colts cornerback Melvin Bullitt (33) on fourth down during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game in Indianapolis, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2009. Indianapolis won 35-34. (AP Photo/AJ Mast) View full size photo » Few games live up to pre-game hype. Patriots v. Colts buck the trend. Billed as the best g...

It was in Faulk's hands

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 02:11:13 -0500

INDIANAPOLIS -- Kevin Faulk hasn't fumbled the ball all season. And coming into last night's game with the Colts, the entire Patriots team had only fumbled the ball twice all year. But Faulk's bobble, at least perceived by the officials,...

Team takes firm position on Faulk bobble

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 02:10:27 -0500

INDIANAPOLIS - Kevin Faulk hasn’t fumbled all season. And coming into last night’s game with the Colts, the Patriots had only fumbled the ball away twice all season. But Faulk’s bobble, as perceived by the officials, on fourth down late in the game cost his team a first down, and kept his team from finishing off a satisfying victory.

Belichick Took a Bad Gamble and It Didn't Pay Off

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:42:00 -0500

Look, I'm one of those guys who hates "the book". Baseball is run by "the book." So much so that much of the subtle moves are expected by anyone who has followed the game for a bit. Football has those moments, too, and I usually applaud when a coach goes against the grain and tries to make something happen.

That wasn't the case tonight during the Patriots-Colts game. Bill Belichick went too far outside the box.

I get the strategy. You don't want to give Peyton Manning the ball and plenty of time to go down the field and win the game. So, with it 4th-and-2 on their own 28 yard line, Belichick rolled the dice and attempted to pick up the two yards which would pretty much end the game. And if not for a questionable spot, it would have worked.

The pass to Kevin Faulk was oh so close to the first down marker. The official, who was behind Faulk, determined that he bobbled the ball as he caught it and the forward progress that he initially had was void. Because the Patriots used their final timeout to set up that fourth down play, they couldn't challenge the play.

In that instance, you punt the ball. The risk-reward is so great in going for it. The reward is that you pick up that first down and you drain out the clock, winning the game. The risk is that you give Peyton Manning the ball back with just 30 yards to gain for the game winning TD. The reward for punting the ball is that you make Manning go 70 yards or so for the game winning score. The risk is that he actually does it.

Rodney Harrison, who retired from the Patriots this year and stepped into an analyst role for NBC (which televised the game), said that this was the worst coaching decision he has ever seen Belichick make.

Again, I'm all for going for the throat (I believe that if you score a TD really, really, really late in a game to get within a PAT of tying, you should go for the two-point conversion instead) but you have to have the will power to hold back your impulses a bit.

Win a chance to see Pats in London and meet Faulk

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 15:11:39 -0500

In support of the Good Sports organization, a New England-based organization which distributes equipment to community groups which serve disadvantaged youth, Kevin Faulk is raffling off a trip to London to see the Patriots play Tampa Bay on Oct. 25....

Visiting the Pats and meeting Coach Belichick

Fri, 18 Apr 2008 12:14:08 -0500

I went to New England last week and I loved their facility and their stadium. They are doing a lot of construction around it. They are building a mall and a hospital right there. If I get a chance to play there I will never have to leave. They said much of the building they are doing will keep all the noise in the stadium so game days will be especially loud. They are already great at home, that will just give them another advantage. I really enjoyed meeting Coach Belichick. He told me about their team and their system and what they would expect of me. They are always looking for playmakers and that's what I am. I sat down with most of the offensive coaching staff and watched film. They also introduced me to Kevin Faulk. He's impressive, the way he studies, how he trains and how he carries himself. If I can duplicate the way he prepares I'll be doing just fine. Just got back from St. Louis and the Jets so I'll fill you in on those trips next.

Can't A Third Down Back Just Get High And Enjoy Some Weezy?

Tue, 26 Feb 2008 17:00:34 -0500

You can't spell New England without WEED.