Martz places Jackson ahead of Faulk on Rams' depth chart

ST. LOUIS -- Marshall Faulk is about to begin the second phase of his career. As a backup.

St. Louis Rams coach Mike Martz said Wednesday that next season Faulk, the NFL MVP in 2000, will be a change-of-pace running back behind Steven Jackson. Jackson was the Rams' first-round pick last year and the two essentially shared first-string duties this season.

Faulk helped the Rams go to two Super Bowls in a three-year span from 1999 to 2001 and was the first player in NFL history with four consecutive 2,000 seasons rushing and receiving. But he has been slowed in recent seasons by numerous knee operations; his last 1,000-yard rushing year was 2001, and last year he totaled 774 yards and a 4.0-yard average to go with 50 catches for 310 yards. The last two years of his 11-year career he has had his lowest rushing totals since 1996.

Jackson, the first running back taken in last year's draft, had 673 yards and a 5.0-yard average.

Martz said sharing the position last year will allow Faulk to enter training camp essentially injury-free and his best value to the team in the future may be as a receiving threat.

"It gives him the best opportunity to go in there and have a terrific impact on the game," Martz said. "Then you've got the young guy who is the big physical guy who carries the load, so I think it's a terrific 1-2 punch."

Martz said Faulk had no problem with making this transition.

"Marshall was probably ready to do that during the season," Martz said. "He's so excited for Steven, he really is. He wants to be there for Steven and help him and still have his role."

Faulk is in the final year of his contract.