New England Patriots Links 8/25/10 - Maroney: 'I know I'm the stuff'

Mike Petragila notes Laurence Maroney apparently agrees with the vote of confidence head coach Bill Belichick gave him Tuesday.

"I know I’m the stuff," Maroney quipped. "I know how good I am.  And I know the type of player I am and how much help I can bring to the team. It’s just going out there and getting the coaches to believe the same thing and proving to them on an every day basis. Like I always say, just being consistent with it. For the people who have watched my career over the past 4 or 5 years I’ve had great times, and I’ve had some low times, so the talent definitely shows itself and it’s there. It’s just being more consistent with it."

"We’ve got a lot of critics out here, still. We have a lot of naysayers, a lot of doubters, ‘Well, this has to be Maroney’s best year or he’s got to come out here and show it.’ Yeah, I have a lot of critics out here, still, and I laugh at it and I just go out there and just work hard and go out there and prove to everybody why they took me first round."

Bill Belichick likes what he has seen from Laurence Maroney at camp and in practice.

He's been out there every day. I think he's worked hard. He's in good condition. I think he's improved daily because he's been out there and he's been able to get to work.

I think everybody on the team that touches the ball knows how important it is for them to take care of it. I don't think there's any doubt about that. All players carry that responsibility when they handle the ball.

Every guy has always got something he can work on and do better. I think Laurence has worked hard. He's been out there every day and he's taking his reps. I think he's ready to go.

Karen Guregian reports Quinn Ojinnaka is focused on the present, not the past - specifically the past involving the simple battery charge that earned him a one-game suspension.

"Right now I’m just focusing on playing football and helping the Patriots win," Ojinnaka said. "It is what it is," he said. "I got suspended. I’m just moving on from that now."

"That’s one of the things I pride myself on when I’m studying the playbook. Not only looking at one position, but studying all five so if my name was ever called, at least I’ll know what I’m doing," he said. "I think I’m pretty versatile, and that should help the Patriots this year."

TEAM TALK

• Erik Scalavino reports Qinn Ojinnaka was "totally surprised" that he was traded, but he's glad it was to the Patriots. Plus, news and notes from Tuesday's practice.
• Ask PFW: Preseason progress reports.
• Bill Belichick Press Conference 8/24/10 (15 min. video) Plus Transcript.
• Patriots Today - Maroney hopes best has yet to come. (2.48 min. video)
• Locker Room Uncut - Ojinnaka and others after practice. (3.05 min. video)

LOCAL LINKS

• Karen Guregian says Laurence Maroney has done nothing more than tease with his talent. He may get a shot as the lead back on Thursday.
• Robert Mays says Maroney is prepared to give it his all this season whether he's the starter or not.
• Danny Picard sees a confident Maroney despite lack of playing time.
• Karen Guregian notes Laurence Maroney was NOT happy about his Madden rating.
• Albert Breer posts a Madden clip of a Laurence Maroney TD run, saying Maroney wants to up his rating.
• Mike Reiss notes Belichick addressed reporters before practice, touching on versatile offensive lineman Quinn Ojinnaka and Thursday's game against the Rams.
• Monique Walker notes Bill Belichick said any of Quinn Ojinnaka's off-field issues were addressed before he arrived.
• Mike Reiss notes Ojinnaka was thrown right into the mix at yesterday's practice. He was the top reserve tackle, replacing Sebastian Vollmer on the right.
• Mike Reiss reports Julian Edelman was absent from practice for the second straight day.
• Mike Reiss looks back at the six plays during the Atlanta game where Julian Edelman was on the field to see where his injury occurred.
• Ian Rapoport reveals one of the lighter moments in practice that had Belichick ribbing Sammy Morris because his 7-year old son looked faster than Sammy did.
• Christopher Price lets us know what happened at Tuesday's practice.
• Mike Reiss and Mike Rodak offer a Tuesday practice snapshot.
• Ian Rapoport focuses on undrafted rookie OL Brian Simmons, who's hoping to earn a spot with the Patriots.
• Ian Rapoport posts his video of the day: Patriots special teamer Ross Ventrone is happy to be back.
• Ian Rapoport notes DL Kade Weston cleared waivers and has been placed on IR. He suffered an internal injury against the Falcons and is now recovering from surgery.
• Monique Walker Patriots Notebook: Ojinnaka eager to earn his spot with the Patriots; QB Sam Bradford will start for the Rams Thursday; The third preseason game is usually where the starters will get their most work.
• Mike Reiss answers his weekly reader mailbag.
• Gary Marbry previews each opponent on the Patriots' 2010 schedule: Minesota Vikings.

NATIONAL NEWS

• Tim Graham (ESPN) Report: Mankins doesn't need Pats' money.
• Tim Graham (ESPN) Patriots lead way in Scouts Inc. Top 200.
• Nick Wagoner (StLouisRams.com) Bradford set to start.
• Eric Edholm (Pro Football Weekly) Tight ends coming to forefront for Patriots.
• Bart Hubbuch (NY Post) Jets' Sanchez returns Brady's hate with 'love'.
• Gregg Easterbrook (ESPN) NFL Preview Part 1: The AFC
• Jarrett Bell (USA Today) Owners to meet to debate the possibility of 18-game season.
• Judy Battista (NY Times) Wariness in the push for a longer NFL season.
• Jarrett Bell (USA Today) Players concerned about pay, calendar in an expanded season.
• Don Banks (SI) Running down Week 2 winners, losers.
• NFL Total Access (NFL.com) Top 10 plays from Week 2 of the preseason. (2.44 min. video)
• MJD (Yahoo! Sports) The NFL was serious about the "no in-game tweeting" thing, Chad.
• Peter King (SI) MMQB Tuesday Edition: How loss of Rice affects Vikes; Cardinals should call Warner.
• Vic Carucci (NFL.com) Drama in Minnesota continues, but plenty more to go around.
• John Walters (NFL Fanhouse) The crucifixion of Pat Tillman.