kurtinelson

Here are a series of pictures of a running play from the first quarter of the Pats San Fransico game. I find this play to be the most glaring
example of the indecision, hesitance, and/or lack of vision that Maroney has displayed as a Patriots running back.

The Pats are lined up in a balanced I-formation with 2 TEs and 1 WR on their own 4 yard line. Maroney is out of view lined up directly behind the
FB, Heath Evans.


As the ball is snapped, Cassel hands off to Maroney. The play is designed to run to right side of the line of scrimage. San Fran's Left DE
is swallowed up in the middle of the line of scrimage. The Pats TE Thomas seals off the San Fran safety(or corner?) (No. 27)
who is playing close to the line of scrimage. A clear hole is developing off tackle on the right side of the line.



Maroney plants his left foot and appears to be making a cut towards the hole.



With a giant hole off right tackle, Maroney plants his right foot and begins a stutter step. This is the point where most NFL
running backs (e.g. Sammy Morris et. al.) would instinctively burst towards a developing openning.


Pat's RT Kaczur has the ILB, Willis locked up and the hole off tackle has clearly been established, however, Maroney appears
to be cutting away from the hole back towards the center of the line of scrimage.



Although a giant hole is present off right tackle, Maroney stutter steps and hesitates behind the line of scrimage and puts
his hand on the RT's Kazcur's back. Where are you going LoMo? At this point Maroney should reaching full speed 2 to 3 yards
beyond the line of scrimage in a dash for the endzone.



This is where the batteries in my camera died. I believe Maroney got 5-7 yards on this play, but this play should have gone for
at least 15-20. IMO this play illustrates that Maroney has serious tunnel vision as he never turns his head towards a gaping hole
(by NFL standards). This poor play has nothing to do with an injured shoulder. Yes this is one play, but it typifies the indecision, hesitance,
and/or lack of vision that Maroney has displayed during his NFL career. IMO, Despite his speed and power, Maroney lacks the instincts to be an
effective NFL running back and will not be resigned by the Patriots at the end of his current contract.

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maryjane

It's quite obvious by now to all except the most homerific, that Maroney sucks. He is a bust of busts.

No more RB or WR picks in the first 5 rounds for the Patriots. Sorry, but they are poor poor evaluators of talent.

Schmo

Good post.

Obviously it is only one example, but it is something we have seen much too often.

On a positive and possibly OT note, this is what I love about the drafting of Mayo as a 1st rd pick. We drafted him to be the ILB of the future, but if he fails at that, he could also try his hand at OLB or even SS (especially w/ BB's concentration on a S/LB hybrid). Whereas Maroney, quickly finding his way off the team, can only otherwise be serviceable as a KR (not even a PR). That isn't enough to keep him on this team. Later round picks for RB's are far more reliable than other positions.
Example: Kevin Smith (Lions) 4.9 yds/carry, Steve Slaton (HOU) 4.8yds/carry - both 3rd round picks this year with a considerable amount of carries... not to mention Jamaal Charles (KC) (who at the time I was hoping the Pats picked w/ OAK's pick in the 3rd round and looks like he came out of a Kevin Faulk mold).

I know hindsight is 20/20, and it is easy to think that these picks are easy to make... but we are looking at an offense that will be a passing offense for a long time (fingers crossed). A 2nd to 4th round draft pick at RB will be just as good to the Pats as a first, merely because of the value of versatility, the chance of injury and less of a chance of a bust.

TheGodInAGreyHoodie

Lets just pile on the guy on IR. Give it a break. All you get rid of Maroney folks, you got your wish, he is gone for the season.

VJCPatriot

Hehe, it didn't take long to rouse the Maroney Defenders Club. Seriously though, this is frame by frame proof of what a lot of us already knew. For some reason Maroney lacks the vision and the conviction to hit the hole hard and fast. If Maroney ran like Morris, with his physical talents, he would be tearing up the league. But he's missing SOMETHING. And it's not just the health, although obviously it's not helpful when he can't even stay on the field.

PS I liked Kevin Smith alot during draft time and I was hoping we'd spend a 3rd round pick on him. Who knew that both Morris and Maroney would be out at the same time? Having that insurance policy would have been nice. But the Pats like Crable. So hopefully Crable develops.

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matt1073

Nice pics you got anymore for the Maroney sucks bash thread

BelichickFan

It's just one play but is, indeed, very damning. And disappointing because we all know what Maroney can do when he hits the open field.

BelichickFan

I did notice that Belichick and McDaniels both referred to "good vision" when talking about BJGE. Probably not a coincidence.

Patjew

And Josh specifically mentioned that he "doesn't dance".

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Patjew

I'm not a basher or defender.

We have seen Maroney play like a beast before, i.e. the end of the season last yr and especially the AFCCG. So why didn't he this year?

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