A source in the Rams front office tells Bernie Miklasz there's a good possibility Marshall Faulk will have another round of knee surgery in the near future. And if Faulk has the surgery, the Rams would most likely place him on injured reserve for the 2006 season - meaning that he'd sit out the year, with full pay. This would be a nice arrangement for Faulk. Faulk's agent, Rocky Arceneaux, has lined up a television job for Faulk. Faulk would be reunited with his former head coach, Dick Vermeil, as an analyst for the NFL Network.

Tony Softli was selected vice president for player personnel, the Rams said Tuesday. Softli, who was formerly director of college scouting for the Panthers, will lead the player personnel department that will include longtime general manager Charley Armey, whose new title is vice president for pro personnel.

After claiming veteran quarterback Dave Ragone off waivers, the Bengals have traded him to the St. Louis Rams for an undisclosed 2007 draft pick. Ragone is joining his third team in under two months. Ragone will join the Rams, as well and will battle Ryan Fitzpatrick and Jeff Smoker for the No. 3 job on the depth chart.

The possibility of Marshall Faulk retiring before the start of the 2006 season is still out there and the San Diego State product isn't sure when a decision will be made. "When you get to Year 13, when you get a coaching change, you look at the bigger picture of things," Faulk said. "You say, 'Are we going to be playing for a championship?' If that doesn't seem possible, then you start thinking about other things. It's a thought that for the last two or three years has crept into my mind." The answer to the question remains elusive, Faulk said, despite rumors that he already has made up his mind. "That's second-hand. It didn't come from me," he said. "As for an answer, he said, "There's no timetable."

St. Louis Rams running back Marshall Faulk is not attending the team's final minicamp this weekend while contemplating retirement because of knees that have been slow to recover from offseason cleanup surgery. New coach Scott Linehan said that two weeks ago, Faulk, who has undergone numerous such surgeries on both knees, expressed his concerns. Linehan said Faulk's agent, Rocky Arceneaux, told him again June 8 that Faulk "wasn't physically ready to go." "Guys that have played at such a high level for so many years and have taken so many hits, sometimes it starts to wear you down a little bit," Linehan said. "He's trying to figure out how he can manage it."

St. Louis running back Marshall Faulk won't be taking part in this weekend's minicamp as he recovers from offseason surgery on both knees, the Rams said. A representative for Faulk told the Rams he is unable to practice and has been undergoing rehabilitation in California. His condition is being evaluated.

Veteran defensive tackle Jason Fisk was signed to a one-year contract by the Rams on Wednesday. Fisk started 14 games for the Cleveland Browns last season and made 50 tackles, but was released in March. He's also played for the Chargers, Titans and Vikings in an 11-year NFL career.