Business promises to pick up for Faulk today

Add blitz pickup to versatile Patriot Kevin Faulk's running and receiving skills. (Robert E. Klein/File/The Boston Globe)

FOXBOROUGH - At this stage of his career, Kevin Faulk doesn't need any endorsements. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said as much, but then he gave Faulk one, calling him a "special player."

"This guy does everything extremely well," said Tomlin. "He runs it. He catches it. He blocks. He's a special player."

Faulk, who is the Patriots' leading rusher this season with 372 yards on 67 attempts (5.6 yards per carry), figures to get a lot of playing time today against the blitz-happy Steelers because he's also New England's best pass-protecting running back. Faulk's proclivity for blitz pickup is just as important as his penchant for making big plays in the running and passing games.

"Pass protection is always an important part of our game plan and we have to do it. [Pittsburgh] does [blitz] more often than not," said Faulk. "You just know to a certain extent that you're going to have to do [blitz pick-up] more often than say before."

Faulk's versatility is invaluable for the Patriots when they go to their spread offense, as they have the last two weeks. In addition to being the team's leading rusher and best blitz pick-up running back, he's also third on the team in receptions with 36 for 315 yards and a score.

"Whenever your number is called, you've got to be available no matter what the situation is," said Faulk.

Last week against Miami, Faulk became one of only six players this decade to surpass 3,000 yards receiving and 2,000 yards rushing, putting him in the company of running backs like Brian Westbrook, LaDainian Tomlinson, Marshall Faulk, and Tiki Barber.

With five receptions today, Faulk would pass Irving Fryar for fourth place on the Patriots' all-time list.

"It just shows that a lot of the hard work that you put in is being looked at and being accounted for," said Faulk of the milestones. "Your credit is right there."

Assumed identity
It's not easy to prepare for Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger because few QBs have his blend of size, strength, and speed. But the Patriots got some help from backups Matt Gutierrez and Kevin O'Connell, who took turns imitating Roethlisberger on the scout team. At 6 feet 5 inches, 225 pounds, and with great running ability, O'Connell can provide a good approximation of the 6-5, 241-pound Roethlisberger. Cornerback Deltha O'Neal said both quarterbacks did a good job preparing the defense. "It's a good look for us," said O'Neal. "Ben has a pretty good arm. He can throw down the field as well. As a secondary, we're going to have our hands full."

Catches in bunches
Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker will look to extend his NFL-record streak of games with six or more receptions to start a season, which stands at 11. Dating back to last season, Welker has caught at least six passes in 15 straight games, including playoffs. His 80 receptions this season rank second in the NFL. "Pretty impressive," said Roethlisberger. "Just from watching him in the games and watching him on film, he's just a guy that seems like he's always in the right spot. He's always a bailout. He's kind of a combination of the running back check-down, the tight end over the middle, and slot receiver matching up on linebackers. I think he brings so much to the table."

Keep on chuckin'
Matt Cassel threw the ball 43 times against the Dolphins last week and 51 times against the Jets the game before that. Is his right arm feeling overworked? Don't count on it. "I only threw the ball 32 times in college," said Cassel, who actually was 20 of 33 while playing at Southern California. "I had a lot of rest. This thing is rested up, so I am going to be completely honest - I think it is pretty durable for throughout the course of one season so far." . . . The Steelers enter the game first in the NFL in kickoff coverage, allowing only 19.2 yards per return . . . Bill Belichick's next win will be the 150th of his career, including playoffs.