The Facts: Following up on an ongoing story. ... Faulk, who turned 35 earlier this month, seems more determined than ever to be back with the Patriots, even if they’ve added two rookie running backs, and appear overstocked at the position. When asked about the possibility of retirement, he said: ”That word (retirement) is not in my vocabulary right now. If it’s possible, if (the Patriots) allow me to, I’d like to play another season.

Diehards Line:Faulk, who is a free agent, participated at the Tom Brady-led workouts with about 40 other players a little more than a week ago. He exchanged phone numbers with rookie RBs Shane Vereen and Stevan Ridley. So already, Faulk has taken the new kids, who will naturally make it more difficult for the veteran to make the final roster, under his wing. ”I was just going through some drills and trying to get them not up to speed, but close to speed on what’s going on,” Faulk said. ... So how is his knee progressing, nine months after reconstructive surgery? ”Right now, I’m doing everything,” he said. ”Right now, I can’t complain. We’ll just see what happens when that time comes.”