The subject is St. Louis Rams tailback Marshall Faulk, and his playing style is an endless stream of adjectives -- exciting, elusive and electrifying -- just to name a few.
From running to catching to blocking, Faulk does it all. The 5-foot-10, 211-pounder set an NFL record for total yards from scrimmage with 2,429 -- 1,381 rushing and 1,048 receiving -- this season. So he's two great players in one.That's why he's headed to his fourth Pro Bowl in six seasons. That's why the Rams (15-3) have reached Super Bowl XXXIV.
What makes him unique? Is it his blend of speed, strength and desire that leaves defenders in his wake? Yeah, it's all that -- and more.
"My vision," Faulk said. "I can see everything."
All great teams are well-balanced offensively, and Faulk is the perfect complement to quarterback Kurt Warner and fleet wide receivers Isaac Bruce, Torry Holt and Az-Zahir Hakim.
Yes, the Rams have plenty of offensive weapons, but Titans coach Jeff Fisher doesn't hesitate when asked who worries him most.
"Marshall Faulk," he said. "He's my biggest concern. He was our concern during the regular season. He's the guy you have to stop. I'm not lessening the importance of the other players on their offense, but to have a chance, you have to minimize his big plays. If you don't stop him, you are very vulnerable."
But don't ask Faulk to compare his style with anyone else's. He won't budge.
"I haven't assessed my style," he said. "I don't know how to describe it. I just try to make people miss. That's all I think about."
The Rams pulled off the greatest coup of the 1999 offseason when they traded their second- and fifth-round draft choices to Indianapolis for Faulk. Player personnel director Charley Armey credits Rams president John Shaw with the move, but Shaw declines to take a bow.
"The deal fell in our lap," Shaw said. "The teams most interested in Faulk happened to be in the Colts' division -- New England and Miami -- and (Indianapolis executive) Bill Polian didn't want Marshall in the same division. Also, they wanted to move him for whatever the reason. So it came down to quite a bit of luck on our part."
The trade benefitted both teams -- allowing the Colts to draft tailback Edgerrin James, who led the NFL in rushing (1,553) as a rookie this season. But it's been Faulk's presence in St. Louis that has jump-started the Rams' offense.
"Marshall is such a threat as a receiver and as a runner that you need to account for him whether he's getting the ball or not," Rams offensive coordinator Mike Martz said.
"Our system is conducive to a guy like him because of his versatility. We can move him around. He'll run routes with the same speed and crispness of a wide receiver. He doesn't limit you in any way. He's the consummate back."
NFL Coach of the Year Dick Vermeil concurs. "Marshall makes us all look smart every week with what he can do," coach Dick Vermeil said. "Any time you put the ball in his hands, you've got a chance for a big play. Sometimes it's not a 40-yard run, but when you need seven yards and he catches it for a yard and then he makes the first down."
Another thing Vermeil has noticed is the way Faulk rallies the team.
"Marshall is a mistake-free football player. He brings a great degree of leadership on game day," Vermeil said. "If something happens during a game, he's getting the players together right there and then and discussing it."
Teammates praise Faulk for his ability to make things happen, saying he raises everyone's level around him because he knows each player's responsibilities.
"He's a great back and a smart back," offensive tackle Orlando Pace said. "I think he reads the linebackers the best I've seen. If you give him a little crack, he'll make it happen and probably take it to the house."
Faulk grew up in a housing project in New Orleans, then exploded onto the national scene as an All-American at San Diego State.
"It was tough," he said about his childhood. "Not always did I walk a straight line. I am not going to say that I am an angel, but I did make some right decisions along the way that got me where I am today.