Marshall Faulk, Rams. (Player Of The Year).(St. Louis Rams)(Brief Article)

Asking a defensive player if he would rather see Marshall Faulk line up as a running back or as a receiver is like asking a vegetable hater to choose between broccoli and Brussels sprouts. It's a distasteful dilemma.

Whether he is running the ball or catching it, the double-edged Faulk slices up defenses. This season, he ran 260 times for 1,382 yards and caught 83 passes for 765 yards, becoming the first player in NFL history to gain at least 2,000 yards from scrimmage in four consecutive years. His 21 touchdowns led the league.

"When there was some doubt about who should be the most valuable player and they were talking about Faulk and (Kurt) Warner, I didn't even think it was close," says Panthers pro scout Hal Hunter. "I take nothing away from Warner, but Faulk is the heart of that team. He's the best offensive player in the league."

Hunter's colleagues were in accord. Faulk was selected THE SPORTING NEWS Player of the Year in balloting among NFL pro personnel directors. He received 11 of the 23 votes cast. Warner and Packers quarterback Brett Favre were distant runners-up with four votes apiece. Raiders quarterback Rich Gannon, Steelers quarterback Kordell Stewart, 49ers quarterback Jeff Garcia and Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher each received one.

"Any time you get an opportunity to win one of those (awards), it's a great accomplishment--not just for you but for your team," says Faulk, who has won the TSN honor for the second year in a row.

Faulk is unique because of all that he does. As a runner, he has an explosive first step and changes directions at full speed, making the first and, often, second defender miss. He can line up as a receiver--which creates mismatches in the Rams' favor--and run wide receiver routes. It's almost impossible for a linebacker or safety to cover him one-on-one. rare occasions when he is asked to pass-block, Faulk usually picks off blitzers.

"No question, he's the best all-around running back I've ever coached," says Rams assistant head coach and offensive coordinator Bobby Jackson, who has coached NFL running backs since 1983. "He's so versatile, so smart, so athletic. He can do it all." ...