The RB question: Is the Patriots' Maroney our franchise back?

by MaPatsFan on Apr 10, 2009 11:35 PM EDT Comment 10 comments

I must admit, I keep holding a soft spot in my Patriots heart for Laurence Maroney. And he continually stomps all over that Patriots heart. How many times do I have to hear, from yet another Colts fan, how they're glad Polian took Joseph Addai over Laurence Maroney in the first round of the 2006 NFL draft (our friendly Colts blogger shake 'n bake is sharpening his pencil ;-)). A 21st pick overall, he's just never measured up to that draft position and the potential so many of us hoped he'd have.

I don't think he was a bad pick, mind you. If you look at the college stats in his bio, how could you not think he'd do great things: three 1,000 yard seasons, 3,933 yards rushing overall, 6.0 avg...picking him up at 21 seemed like a steal; it was almost absurd that noone grabbed him sooner. But college stats don't tell the whole story. As a Patriot, Laurence has struggled. Logging a mediocre 2006, his 2007 looked to be just as abysmal.

And this is where the soft spot comes in. Tom Brady asked for toys in the 2007 season and he got them. One of those toys was 6-4 and disenfranchised by Al Davis (aka: Skeletor) and the other was 5-9 and liked to kick a soccer ball around the locker room. Moss and Welker would become the stuff legends are made of. For the first half of 2007, most teams didn't know what hit them. The air assault was almost ridiculous at times with Brady seemingly connecting at will with his receivers. It was silly. And Maroney sat. The running game took a backseat to Brady and his band of high flyers. Laurence sat and waited, knowing if Belichick needed him, it was his job to be ready. He finally got the call. In the final six games of the Patriots' season, Maroney had four 100 yard games. When teams began scheming against the aerial assault, Maroney was asked to step up and he did. Thanks mate.

But that ended in 2008. With the addition of LaMont Jordan, I was ready for a massive ground assault, the kind that would shutup all the naysayers looking to stick it to the team that was almost...perfect. Oh yeah? No ground game? And then Maroney started his old habits. Next to Sammy Morris, Maroney appeared to "bounce" off the line rather than finding the holes and slicing through. Morris, despite being seven years his senior, seemed more decisive. With his shoulder injury in Game 3, Maroney got a reprieve, in my mind. Had he continued his indecisiveness through the rest of the season, I believe he would've been declared a bust.

I think Fred Taylor will give Maroney some serious competition for the #1 spot. He's the biggest of the backs AND the most experienced, which could help him now that he's at the twilight of his career; brains and experience over raw talent and youth. Whether or not Laurence Maroney is our franchise RB is up to Laurence. He must know he doesn't have long to prove it. Belichick has a short memory and I do believe Laurence's college stats are no longer occupying brain cells in Hoodie's head.

What have you done for me lately, Laurence? What have you done for me lately?

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I am glad someone said it!!!!

I can not agree more with your comments. I feel exactly the same way! I felt bad for Maroney in 2007 when the running game was abandoned for the air assault. (not too bad, the double digit wins was enough to sooth my pain)

I find myself thinking……“is Dillon ready to come out of retirement?” I think Maroney is a talented back still with a lot of upside, but he really needs to prove himself. Last year when Brady went down it was time for the ground game to take over, but within 3 games it was shotgun formation 90% of the plays. (enjoyed it and it allowed Cassell to thrive, but it showed that the confidence in the run game was over)

Fred Taylor should push Maroney and I hope this will be the year that the running game is a weapon, not something that the keeps the defense in check from lining up pass every down!

by wwir on Apr 11, 2009 3:10 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

He's the best of the pack

However, with Maroney it’s all mental or 95% mental right now and 5% durability. That shoulder of his maybe chronic. He’s got the most speed and at 225 when he hits you in the open field, enjoy!

by richardlight on Apr 11, 2009 6:39 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

After the Pats picked Maroney

Everyone here was excited. There was a YouTube clip of his college highlights that we all emailed to each other and used to watch over and over. It was fantastic and WE got him on OUR team.

The results have been a terrific half season in 2007 along with a bench-load of injuries: Shoulder, back, torn rib cartilage, limited field vision, and whatever else his “I have my issues” comments meant.

I’m looking forward to 2009. He’s had plenty of time to rehab, recuperate, rest and recover. In Sept, it will be time to run.

Keep the faith!

by Marima on Apr 11, 2009 8:14 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Really good piece

Thanks, MaPatsFan. You’ve captured exactly my thinking about Maroney’s status and I agree with the other comments here, too. Like you, I’m ever hopeful that this will be the year Maroney breaks out. I keep thinking back to that late 2007 stretch you refer to—big games against the Jets and Dolphins (156 yards), 2 td’s and a 2-point conversion vs. the Giants in the regular season finale, and then matching 122 yard games against the Jags and Chargers in the playoffs—and I think “this guy’s really good” and if he can just get past the chronic injuries, he’ll show everybody.

I do not think he’s been a bust (that would be Chad Jackson). But I do, as the others above have noted, believe that 2009 should be and needs to be his year—or else. And as an optimist when it comes to the Patriots, I tend to think that he will come through.

As I said at the start, a really good article. Thanks.

by ProfessorTodd on Apr 11, 2009 10:02 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Good Analysis

Excellent analysis on one of the most frustrating, naturally talented members of the Pats. The only comment I disagree with is concerning BB having a short memory, my observation of Bill’s career is that he has a long memory regarding players – I reference his interviews on the Big Show- the man is walking football library. Aside from that minor difference, I believe you have nailed the Maroney issue. Bottom line, he appears to have all the natural ability in the world, its just a question what he commits himself to do with it. Hopefully he’ll view the addition of Fred Taylor as a challenge and raise his game (consistently) to meet it.

by Lostlobster on Apr 11, 2009 10:40 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Fair point

I think what I was trying to say (and didn’t do it very well) was that BB no longer cares much about Laurence’s stellar college career; that’s in the past and Maroney needs to step up…now.

Again, fair point and good catch!

Blogger at SBNation's Patriots blog, Pats Pulpit

by MaPatsFan on Apr 11, 2009 11:03 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Maroney

Was picked before Addai in the draft, in fact P Manning mentioned to T Brady that we got his back.

Now obviously Addai has been more productive but Maroney has more talent. But can he stay healthy we here all sure hope so!

by sq on Apr 11, 2009 11:52 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Speaking of Addai

The grass isn’t always greener. Joseph Addai seems to have durability issues of his own, and talk to Colts fans about it – they’ll tell you he’s taken a beating (though I guess you could say that about any RB, but you know what I mean).

by NESilver on Apr 11, 2009 1:25 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Why the hate?

I do not get why everybody is always down on Maroney. Sure, he has not had the best of luck with injuries but when healthy, he has looked great. I find Pats fans are trying to run him out of town. His possible potential and his low cap hit, makes him worth the wait.

Having said this the Pats throw the ball first and run second. The ideal running back for this system is a Brian Westbrook type. Yeah we have Faulk but he is not really a threat as a “Between the Tackles” type runner. It seems to me Belichick would rather not put all his eggs in one basket. That is why we have this RB by committee thing. Sammy the Brusier, Faulk the Pass Catcher, Taylor the all around threat. I guess the question is where does Maroney fit in. Hopefully he stays healthy this year and we find out.

by Canadianpatsfan on Apr 12, 2009 1:40 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

No real hate

I don’t necessarily hate him, but I do have issues (personal as well as with Maroney ;-)). First, I think he’s jittery, sometimes getting happy feet. I’ve seen him bounce off the backs of the linemen more than once; It’s as if he’s searching for the hole where Morris seems more decisive. Second, he’s fragile which is not necessarily his fault, but it is a reality with Laurence.

I want him around as long as he’s of value to the team. Hey, I’m pulling for him and want to see him in a Pats uniform for as long as he can be. He needs to show some of that first round talent that we picked him up for.

Blogger at SBNation's Patriots blog, Pats Pulpit

by MaPatsFan on Apr 12, 2009 9:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs