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GAINS AND LOSSES
BY 316 (Feb 26)

MARSHALL'S GAINS. Today [Feb 26] is Marshall Faulk'ss 27th birthday.

Yet, he already has six NFL seasons under his belt and in that time has already gained 6,701 yards rushing ... caught 384 passes for 3,852 yards (a running back who *averages* more than 10 yards a catch - simply unheard of!) ... scored 63 career touchdowns ... and was just a few scant yards away from posting back-to-back 1,000 rushing/receiving seasons ... which *would* have been only the second and third in NFL history. Instead, he settled for being only the second player in NFL history - and the first in more than 15 years - to do so.

Look at those numbers once more.

I'll say it again. Amazing!

It seems certain that Faulk will join the elite 10,000 yard rushing club, probably in about three seasons or so ... will probably catch upwards of 550 to upwards of maybe 700 passes (for an additional 5/6/7,000 or so yards) before he's done ... and has a good shot at breaking the 100 magical touchdown plateau.

Yet ... what do you hear about the guy on a day-to-day basis during a season? Not much. Certainly not as much as we heard about a Walter Payton or a Tony Dorsett or a John Riggins or any of the 'elite backs' from an era past.

But ... take a *good* look at Marshall Faulk next season, folks. Because you *just* may be looking at the greatest 'multiple-threat' running back in NFL history.

Imagine ... both Eric Dickerson *and* Marshall Faulk in the Hall of Fame representing the Rams.

ON PEOPLE WE'VE LOST.  Billy Jenkins has not singed with anyone else yet, but it is safe to assume he will.

Here's what he said during his Denver visit---"I've liked it here. I like the coaches, like the organization, like the  city." (The Denver Post).

I wouldn't expect anything less of Jenkins than to talk in glowing terms about a team ready to throw big money his way. I really don't think he meant to demean the Rams in any way. It's just business. Did Timmerman talk glowingly about the Packers after signing with the Rams last year? He played in two Super Bowls with them and won one of 'em. Did Green talk in loving terms about the Redskins? Faulk about the Colts? It's the way of the professional sports world.

The bottom line is, the Rams - and the 1999 season in particular---- will always have a special place for the guy, no doubt. All of 'em.

I personally wish Jenkins ... Gruttadauria ... Miller ... Bunting ... Gansz ... Howard ... Stiles ... White, et al, nothing but the very *best* in their future endeavors. That's because it was their efforts, along with 70+ other players and coaches and trainers and advisory staff, that gave us all a season we'll never forget.

For that ... I think they have given us more than a few simple words will ever do.  My on-going thanks to them for their contribution to an amazing moment in time. Best of luck.

FUTURE STARS? From what I've heard all year, the Rams are very excited about Coady's upside. And Bush proved a lot of people wrong with his altogether sterling play last year.

What all these moves really come down to is the Rams are putting key reserves into starting roles ... something that wasn't the best idea a few years ago ... but now fits a very deep team (thanks to some key free agent signings, top drafts,  and Armey's simply unreal eye for street free agent talent----which includes finds such as Warner, Fletch, Jenkins, Nutten, Horne, Watson, et al).

Starting this off-season and through the next couple of years, Armey must now re-stock that depth.