Kevin Faulk Returns In Loss
BOSTON (CBS) - Kevin Faulk had not played in an NFL game in over a year, but looked as though he hadn't missed a beat Sunday afternoon in Pittsburgh.
"At the beginning it was a great feeling," Faulk said after the 25-17 loss to the Steelers. "Once you get going in the game, you're doing your job. You're not worried it being your first game back or whatever. You're just trying to help your football team win."
While the team did not win, the team was happy to have the longest tenured Patriot back in action.
"He's such a spark plug for our offense. He does so many things well," Patriots quarterback Tom Brady said after the loss. "For a guy who hasn't played football in a year, it certainly didn't look like it."
Faulk Talks Return
"He played well, played hard. Made some big plays running the ball, catching the ball," Brady said of Faulk. "I'm sure he's going to be soar tomorrow, he took some big hits. It's great to have him back."
Stats: Pats-Steelers Box Score
Faulk finished the day leading the Patriots in rushing with 32 yards on six attempts. He also caught five passes for 20 yards.
Everybody was positive for the veteran, but he still found faults in his game. Just after a week back in the action, and he immediately felt he had a ton to work on.
"I don't know how closely you were watching, but I had a couple mistakes," said Faulk. "I missed a blitz pickup. At the same time, winning the game was the most important thing for me. This might have been my first football game in 13 months, but winning the game was most important and we didn't do that."
The 35-year-old started the season on the reserve/pup list after undergoing knee surgery last year. Faulk tore his ACL in Week 2 last year, and just returned to practice over the Patriots bye week.
While he was unsure what his job would be, Faulk has been around long enough to know what to do.
"Help my team, whatever they ask me to do," he said. "I didn't know my role at the beginning of the week but at the same time it was just do your job and the role will define itself later."
Faulk does it all for New England, be it in the run game, pass game or as a blocker.
Now if only he could play defense.
