It remains to be seen how much of an impact Faulk will initially have for the team, but prior to his season-ending ACL injury last season, Faulk was a valuable running and receiving threat out of the backfield on third downs, and one of the best chip-blocking backs in the NFL.

In 15 games in 2009, Faulk compiled 335 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 62 attempts, good for a 5.4 yards-per-carry average. He also caught 31 passes for 301 receving yards and a touchdown.

Faulk has been a mainstay with the Patriots for all 13 years of his NFL career. Despite being well beyond the average retirement age for running backs, the 35-year-old Louisiana native is trying to show he can still be a productive asset.

Touches will presumably be hard to come by for Faulk. He’ll have to compete for time with established backs in BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Danny Woodhead and emerging rookie Stevan Ridley. The trio has helped the Patriots become the 10th-ranked rushing offense in the league.

Green-Ellis has received the bulk of the work so far this season. He’s rushed for 391 yards and five touchdowns. Woodhead has also been featured at times, totally 120 rushing yards and 63 rushing yards.

Ridley has been much more effective on the ground than Woodhead. He’s carried the ball two fewer times but has 180 rushing yards. His most notable game came in the Patriots’ Week 4 win over the Raiders. Ridley ran for 97 yards and a touchdown.

Where Green-Ellis, Woodhead and Ridley have been lacking, however, is in the passing game. They have combined for just 14 receptions in six games (out of a team total 160 receptions). That’s where Faulk comes in. Given his track record as a receiving back and the Patriots’ past-first offense, Faulk could play a sizeable role for the team.

Who is the Patriots' most valuable running back, when healthy?

The Red Sox try to fend off the relentless Tampa Bay Rays and salvage a split of their four-game series, and the Patriots will try to win their home opener at Gillette Stadium for the 10th straight season.

With baseball approaching its most exciting time of the year and football again taking over our lives on Sundays, we speculate which Red Sox player is best suited to play for the Patriots. While no one on the Sox is any Deion Sanders, Jim Thorpe or Bo Jackson, they do posses some talented athletes.

The best players suited to make the jump from the MLB to the NFL are perhaps second baseman Dustin Pedroia and center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury. Standing at just 5 feet, 9 inches with 26 stolen bases, Pedrioa fits the mold of a Wes Welker and would make a viable slot receiver in the Patriots' offense. Ellsbury's 6-foot-1 frame and 37 stolen bases could make him a talented wide receiver or defensive back.

His size, 6-foot-4 and 235 pounds, and skills behind the plate make catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia an ideal tight end. We are unsure of his ability to catch a football or make a block, but his strength and ability to catch a darting curveball suggest he could hold his own.

Kevin Youkilis could be a potential fullback. His average speed would not be an issue at the position, and his power behind the plate might translate to some big hits.

While it might be difficult to imagine designated hitter David Oritz playing football at all, he could make a decent pass rusher on the defensive line. Of course, the slugger would need to become more explosive, but at 6-foot-4 and 230 pounds, he already has the size.

That leaves just one more position to wonder about: quarterback. Jonathan Papelbon could be a good fit.  At 6-foot-4, the closer would be able to see over offensive lineman, and we are all aware of his ability to rocket a baseball.

Perhaps better is Carl Crawford. The left field initially signed a letter of intent to be an option quarterback at the University of Nebraska, but eventually turned them down in favor of baseball.

Which Red Sox player would make the best Patriot?