New England Patriots running back Kevin Faulk addresses the media during his press conference at Gillette Stadium on January 18, 2008.
Q :Kevin, you've been through three of these rodeos; can you just give us your thoughts entering the game? Are you excited at the preparation, does it help being here before?
KF: A little. It helps a little bit. But at the same time -- being in three different right now, that's the last thing on your mind. The only thing on your mind is worrying about the opponents you are facing because it's a big game.
Q:You've been in this game a long time and you've seen some retired guys who probably are not walking so well; do you talk a lot in the off-season, not during the season of course, about how long to keep going, and how much is it worth, even though you're at the pinnacle right now of where you're going into Sunday, but what do you guys talk about when it comes to long-term health?
KF: Of course you talk about it. You ask guys who you are close with how they are feeling, how your bodies feel. What we love to do is play football and when that time comes, you'll know, your body will let you know. Your thought process, your family members that you trust, they will let you know.
Q:You were named captain this year and you have obviously taken that responsibility seriously. What has that meant to you to be a captain, especially in a season that's gone as well as this one has to this point?
KF: It means so much to me. It's one of the most important things in my life. When the guys -- when Coach announced it, it was such a surprise to me, but at the same time I knew how hard I've worked to get to this point throughout my whole career and just being able to hear your name being called as captain is just a very special honor.
Q:Now that you're on the doorstep of history, you're undefeated, how much bigger is the fear of failure among your teammates and yourself?
KF: You don't think about it. You live in the moment and continue on doing what you've been doing.
Q:How do you not think about it?
KF: Your process is thinking about winning the game, thinking about going to the next week and knowing that you have to play better than what you did the week before. Because if you play the same way you played the week before against a different opponent, you may not win the game.
Q:Can you talk just about L.T.'s ability to catch the ball out of the backfield, that's one of your strengths; what do you admire about him in the passing game?
KF: Oh, just being able to do everything. Not just catching the pass, but being able to pick up the blitz. Being able to run the ball four or five times in a row and come back and run a 15-yard wheel route down the field, catch it and run 40 yards and come back and pick-up a blitz pick-up. Everything he does you can tell how hard he works during the off-season and during the season and that's why he's L.T.
Q:Tedy was saying this has been a year of distractions. As a team captain, how proud are you of the way the team has dealt with distractions all year and lot let them distract you?
KF: Very proud. The season is not over and we're still in the season and we're just trying to be able to bond as a team together. Whatever comes about, just be stronger and just come together as a team and put that product on the field.
Q:Is there any way that you guys turn something that most people might see as a negative, turn it as a positive on the field to motivate you guys?
KF: Every negative you can turn into a positive, it's just the way you do it.
