Kevin Faulk

WATERTOWN - After getting home from Indianapolis, his emotions at not being in uniform for Super Bowl XLVI and the reality of his team's loss still fresh, Kevin Faulk was talking with a friend when he looked at a picture of Troy Brown. When Faulk was drafted by the Patriots out of Louisiana State in 1999, he immediately was drawn to Brown, the team's versatile and selfless receiver. And looking at the picture of Brown this week, it hit Faulk: If Brown could survive not being in uniform for his last game with New England, he could as well.

Newton Mayor Setti Warren marked National Armed Forces Day by hosting "Hoops for our Troops" at Newton South High School. Among those suiting up for the charity basketball game benefiting veterans, active servicemen and women, and their families were Warren, the Slater Foundation's Sam Slater , Kiss 108's Matt Siegel , Celts co-owner Steve Pagliuca , former Celtics Tom "Satch" Sanders and Dana Barros , "Coach" Willie Maye ...

By Zuri Berry, Globe Staff INDIANAPOLIS -- Running back Kevin Faulk highlights the list of Patriots inactive players for Super Bowl XLVI. Faulk, the 13-year pro who started the year on the physically unable to perform list, returned in Week 8 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. That was the most action he saw the entire year, playing out the season in a reserve role behind rookie running backs Stevan Ridley and Shane Vereen in addition to BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Danny Woodhead.

Tom Brady tried to persuade Matt Light to return for another season by offering him a year's supply of his favorite candy bar. Offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia reminded Light that he's still in the prime of his career. But Light, one of a handful of NFL players to have started in five Super Bowls, said on Monday he is retiring from the league at the age of 33 to have a chance "to leave this game upright and feeling good. " "When it's your time, you just know," the New England Patriots offensive lineman said Monday in a retirement ceremony at the team's Hall of Fame.

FOXBOROUGH -- Running back Kevin Faulk didn't want to play for anyone else. If he was going to play his 13th season in the NFL, he wanted it to be with the New England Patriots. Faulk got his wish. He signed today with the Patriots, the team announced this morning. Faulk has played his entire career with the Patriots and he wasn't sure if he would get another chance after a knee injury ended his season last year. But before the lockout, Faulk said he heard from Patriots coach Bill Belichick, who told him he wanted the veteran running back for the 2011 season.

INDIANAPOLIS -- Running back Kevin Faulk highlights the list of Patriots inactive players for Super Bowl XLVI. Faulk, the 13-year pro who started the year on the physically unable to perform list, returned in Week 8 against the Steelers. That was the most action he saw the entire year, playing out the season in a reserve role behind rookie running backs Stevan Ridley and Shane Vereen in addition to BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Danny Woodhead. He finished the regular season with 17 carries for 57 yards.

PITTSBURGH - Kevin Faulk acknowledged he was excited when he stepped on the field for warm-ups yesterday. The day he had been waiting for for more than 13 months finally arrived: He would suit up for a game again. The most-tenured Patriot, the only player who has been on the roster longer than Bill Belichick has been coach, was back on the field after tearing his right anterior cruciate ligament in Week 2 last season. The running back began the season on the physically unable to perform list, and was removed from it as soon as the rules allowed, after Week 6. He...

FOXBOROUGH -- Veteran running back Kevin Faulk isn't changing his approach now that he is off of the physically unable to perform list. The Patriots have to make a decision about Faulk's roster status within the next couple of weeks but Faulk said he isn't in a position to worry about when or if he will be added to the 53-man roster. Faulk injured his knee last season and began the 2011 season the PUP. Last week, he practiced for the first time as the Patriots squeezed in a couple of sessions during the bye week.

Tom Brady tried to persuade Matt Light to return for another season by offering him a year's supply of his favorite candy bar. Offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia reminded Light that he's still in the prime of his career. But Light, one of a handful of NFL players to have started in five Super Bowls, said on Monday he is retiring from the league at the age of 33 to have a chance "to leave this game upright and feeling good. " "When it's your time, you just know," the New England Patriots offensive lineman said Monday in a retirement ceremony at the team's...

Pats players Jerod Mayo, Julian Edelman, and Kevin Faulk (from left) put smiles on the faces of patients at Children's Hospital Boston yesterday, serving up pancake breakfasts as part of the team's "Celebrate Volunteerism" campaign.

Pats players Jerod Mayo, Julian Edelman, and Kevin Faulk (from left) put smiles on the faces of patients at Children's Hospital Boston yesterday, serving up pancake breakfasts as part of the team's "Celebrate Volunteerism" campaign.

Last in a three-part series analyzing the Patriots' season: When Patriots coach Bill Belichick looked back at the 2010 season and ahead to 2011, it was likely apparent to him that his team needed to improve significantly in two areas: getting to the quarterback and getting off the field on third down, especially in long-yardage situations. The Patriots had 36 sacks in 17 games in 2010. According to the Globe's game charting, they knocked down the quarterback an additional 58 times.

Last in a three-part series analyzing the Patriots' season: When Patriots coach Bill Belichick looked back at the 2010 season and ahead to 2011, it was likely apparent to him that his team needed to improve significantly in two areas: getting to the quarterback and getting off the field on third down, especially in long-yardage situations. The Patriots had 36 sacks in 17 games in 2010. According to the Globe's game charting, they knocked down the quarterback an additional 58 times.

Second in a three-part series analyzing the Patriots' season. The NFL combine begins Feb. 23 in Indianapolis, kicking off preparations for the 2012 season. Free agency will start March 13, and then attention will focus on the draft, which will take place April 26-28 in New York. But before we get to all that, let's continue our look back at the 2011 Patriots season to prepare for the future. These are the individual player grades for all 53 men that finished on the roster, along with the 12 that finished on injured reserve.

WATERTOWN - After getting home from Indianapolis, his emotions at not being in uniform for Super Bowl XLVI and the reality of his team's loss still fresh, Kevin Faulk was talking with a friend when he looked at a picture of Troy Brown. When Faulk was drafted by the Patriots out of Louisiana State in 1999, he immediately was drawn to Brown, the team's versatile and selfless receiver. And looking at the picture of Brown this week, it hit Faulk: If Brown could survive not being in uniform for his last game with New England, he could as well.

Had a chance to sit down with Kevin Faulk this afternoon at the NESN studios, for an interview that will be shown on tonight's NESN Daily and throughout the weekend. The first question, since it's the one on many folks' minds when it comes to the 13-year veteran: have you made a decision on your playing future? "That's probably one of the hardest decisions I've made in a long time — a very long time. It's what's been taking care of me and my family for a long time and I have to make a decision based upon what's best for me and my family.

Pats back Kevin Faulk and gymnast Alicia Sacramone walked the walk over the weekend, taking part in NSTAR’s Walk for Children’s Hospital Boston. In all, more than 5,000 people participated, including patients, families, and Children’s Hospital CEO Dr. James Mandell and NSTAR CEO Tom May . Above (from left): Sacramone, Faulk, and Celtics dancer Ashley .

It would be cruel and unfair to point to New York Jets linebacker Mo Lewis's hit on Drew Bledsoe in Week 2 as the launching point for the Patriots' first Super Bowl-winning team in 2001. Perhaps that blow resulted in the emergence of Tom Brady, but there were certainly many other reasons for New England's improbable success, most memorably the "tuck rule" in the Snow Game vs. Oakland, which thrust the Patriots into the AFC Championship. If not for referee Walt Coleman's interpretation of Brady's fumble, Jon Gruden's Oakland Raiders...

Though the Patriots' loss in Super Bowl XLVI still smarts for players and fans, the coaches and front office staff have little choice but to turn the page toward the 2012 season. The Senior Bowl and East-West Shrine Game, the two events that typically kick off draft season in earnest, have already been held, and the annual NFL Combine will begin Feb. 22. As of right now, New England has two selections in Round 1 of the draft, two in Round 2, and one each in Rounds 3 and 4, but none in Round 5 or beyond.

Though the Patriots' loss in Super Bowl XLVI still smarts for players and fans, the coaches and front office staff have little choice but to turn the page toward the 2012 season. The Senior Bowl and East-West Shrine Game, the two events that typically kick off draft season in earnest, have already been held, and the annual NFL Combine will begin Feb. 22. As of right now, New England has two selections in Round 1 of the draft, two in Round 2, and one each in Rounds 3 and 4, but none in Round 5 or beyond.