Tatanka
09-25-2003, 02:56 AM
Full article and picture here (http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/stories.nsf/Sports/Rams/53656911E3F6B3C086256DAB006DAA41?OpenDocument&Head line=Gordon+eager+to+take+over+for+Faulk) from the St Louis Post-Dispatch.
Gordon eager to take over for Faulk
By R.B. Fallstrom
Lamar Gordon never did like fullback anyway.
Now, Marshall Faulk's backup doesn't have to worry about that position. For at least the next month, while Faulk recovers from a broken hand and torn knee cartilage, Gordon has Faulk's spot as the go-to guy.
"I'm really excited, I'm not going to lie about that," Gordon said. "I've got an opportunity and I've been waiting for it."
Teammates expect Gordon, a third-round pick last year, to fill the void. Faulk will be out an estimated four to six weeks because of broken bones in his left hand. Faulk also had surgery on his right knee Wednesday.
"He's got a little Eric Dickerson in him, and that's a tough thing to say for a young guy," defensive tackle Tyoka Jackson said. "But when I look at him, that's what I see.
"If you give him a crease, he's going to be in the secondary in a heartbeat."
Playing fullback was a way for Gordon to get on the field the last two weeks, even though he didn't pack a huge punch at 220 pounds. Coach Mike Martz asked Gordon after auditioning several players during training camp and the preseason.
But Gordon knows he didn't belong there.
"I had to do what they asked, but I've never played fullback and I never thought about fullback, so it was a little different for me," Gordon said. "I always knew fullback was a tough position and now I give a lot of people credit because I experienced it."
Even his old teammates at North Dakota State could recognize that Gordon was out of position. Gordon has been hearing from them all week.
"They told me I looked kind of stupid playing fullback," Gordon said. "They said the lead blocker just wasn't there."
He wasn't arguing, either.
"It's unnatural to try to run a pitch and I'm blocking somebody instead of trying to turn the corner," Gordon said. "That's kind of weird."
Gordon got his chance at tailback when Faulk was sidelined after his left hand banged into the helmet of a Seahawks player in a 24-23 loss. Gordon had eight carries for 41 yards and caught four passes for 25 yards, shaking off a severe headache and nausea early in the game.
"He was re-painting the sideline," said Martz, who told Gordon he was OK.
"He wasn't OK," Martz said, "but he went out and played well."
For the season, Gordon has better numbers than Faulk. He has 72 yards on 14 carries for a 5.1-yard average, while Faulk has 116 yards and a 2.8-yard average.
Gordon has seven catches for a 7.3-yard average, while Faulk has 12 receptions for a 5.5-yard average.
"In the Seattle game he made some runs that were really nice," quarterback Marc Bulger said. "Certainly we want Marshall, but it's not like we're going to change our game plan."
Gordon has seemed a lot more assured this year after experiencing fumbling problems much of last season.
"I see the team has more confidence in me and that helps me out a lot, gets me ready to play and playing with more energy," Gordon said. "I feel like my college days, and getting back to playing like I know how to play."
Gordon put up huge numbers at North Dakota State, a Division II power, ending his career as the school's career leading rusher with 4,700 yards and 62 touchdowns. In his last 37 college games, he had 31 games with 100 or more yards.
Last year, he had 228 yards rushing and a 3.5-yard average with the Rams.
His old college coach, Bob Babich, now is with the team as the linebackers coach. That, too, has helped Gordon relax.
"He's just as excited as I am," Gordon said. "I'm pretty close to his wife and she's all excited and nervous for me."
Best of luck to Lamar. Here's hoping he shines with the playing time and the exposure.
Gordon eager to take over for Faulk
By R.B. Fallstrom
Lamar Gordon never did like fullback anyway.
Now, Marshall Faulk's backup doesn't have to worry about that position. For at least the next month, while Faulk recovers from a broken hand and torn knee cartilage, Gordon has Faulk's spot as the go-to guy.
"I'm really excited, I'm not going to lie about that," Gordon said. "I've got an opportunity and I've been waiting for it."
Teammates expect Gordon, a third-round pick last year, to fill the void. Faulk will be out an estimated four to six weeks because of broken bones in his left hand. Faulk also had surgery on his right knee Wednesday.
"He's got a little Eric Dickerson in him, and that's a tough thing to say for a young guy," defensive tackle Tyoka Jackson said. "But when I look at him, that's what I see.
"If you give him a crease, he's going to be in the secondary in a heartbeat."
Playing fullback was a way for Gordon to get on the field the last two weeks, even though he didn't pack a huge punch at 220 pounds. Coach Mike Martz asked Gordon after auditioning several players during training camp and the preseason.
But Gordon knows he didn't belong there.
"I had to do what they asked, but I've never played fullback and I never thought about fullback, so it was a little different for me," Gordon said. "I always knew fullback was a tough position and now I give a lot of people credit because I experienced it."
Even his old teammates at North Dakota State could recognize that Gordon was out of position. Gordon has been hearing from them all week.
"They told me I looked kind of stupid playing fullback," Gordon said. "They said the lead blocker just wasn't there."
He wasn't arguing, either.
"It's unnatural to try to run a pitch and I'm blocking somebody instead of trying to turn the corner," Gordon said. "That's kind of weird."
Gordon got his chance at tailback when Faulk was sidelined after his left hand banged into the helmet of a Seahawks player in a 24-23 loss. Gordon had eight carries for 41 yards and caught four passes for 25 yards, shaking off a severe headache and nausea early in the game.
"He was re-painting the sideline," said Martz, who told Gordon he was OK.
"He wasn't OK," Martz said, "but he went out and played well."
For the season, Gordon has better numbers than Faulk. He has 72 yards on 14 carries for a 5.1-yard average, while Faulk has 116 yards and a 2.8-yard average.
Gordon has seven catches for a 7.3-yard average, while Faulk has 12 receptions for a 5.5-yard average.
"In the Seattle game he made some runs that were really nice," quarterback Marc Bulger said. "Certainly we want Marshall, but it's not like we're going to change our game plan."
Gordon has seemed a lot more assured this year after experiencing fumbling problems much of last season.
"I see the team has more confidence in me and that helps me out a lot, gets me ready to play and playing with more energy," Gordon said. "I feel like my college days, and getting back to playing like I know how to play."
Gordon put up huge numbers at North Dakota State, a Division II power, ending his career as the school's career leading rusher with 4,700 yards and 62 touchdowns. In his last 37 college games, he had 31 games with 100 or more yards.
Last year, he had 228 yards rushing and a 3.5-yard average with the Rams.
His old college coach, Bob Babich, now is with the team as the linebackers coach. That, too, has helped Gordon relax.
"He's just as excited as I am," Gordon said. "I'm pretty close to his wife and she's all excited and nervous for me."
Best of luck to Lamar. Here's hoping he shines with the playing time and the exposure.