Patdown93

I was looking at Maroney's stats and I noticed in games he runs more he has more yardage. Perhaps that's because the more attempts he gets the better chance of him breaking one.

But, for those who know the running back position well. Is it possible Maroney is one of those backs that needs more carries to get into a groove? Is it possible that Maroney is hampered by our runningback by committee approach?

DeAngelo Williams was the other back I was looking at and he also does better the more carries he gets.

I do understand that the possibility is that because the Panthers and Pats are runningback by committee teams (the Panthers having Williams and Stewart) that they go with the back with the hot hand. But does that harm running backs at all if they get out to a slow start?

In games where Maroney has gotten 20 carries or more here are his stats by the way:

93 att 420 yds 4.5 ypc

oldskool138

Probably one of the reasons they don't give the ball to Maroney more often is because they have a better chance of getting 1st Downs and TD's with Tom Brady and his WR's than with a guy who is (let's face it) injury prone and has a tendency to be indecisive behind the line.

The only reason he's on the team is that occasionally he can bust a long run out and he's still on his 1st round draft rookie contract. Don't look for the Pats to resign him once his contract is up.

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"You're all a bunch yahoos, hero worshipers and gutless suck-ups." - Tony Massarotti

Metaphors

I looked at this a while ago and 13 carries seemed to be the threshold for Maroney being effective. He did even better in the playoffs, so it wasn't just running against inferior opponents. So I think a good plan would be for getting Maroney his 15 carries and then having a fresh Taylor close out the game against a tired defense. Hopefully the Pats offense can get in a better rhythm and put something like this in place.

jmt57

I know that I've read many NFL running backs say that they need several carries to 'get in the groove' and be successful in a game; it's not something that is limited to Maroney and Williams.

If that is the case then perhaps the answer is to designate a starter and a backup for each game, based on their skill set and the opposing defense. Let that week's starters get most of the reps, then essentially give him the following off so he has more time to heal up and make it through the season.

I realize that may sound a little bizarre but perhaps that makes more sense than backs alternating series by series.

mgteich

Given how little we run, there is little need in a game for more than a primary back and a 3rd down back.

It is possible that another might be brought in for short yeardage or as a change of pace. The main point still stands. I strongly agree that we should have a primary back each game, with the idea of him carrying 20 times.

ALP

given how little we ran, this committee is useless....might as well have just two backs, a 1st/2nd down back, and a 3rd down back

its not like theyll get tired

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Ochmed Jones

It's all about courage!

Maroney needs to read and trust the other players on offense, take what is there and quite trying to go the distance on every run unless it is there.

ausbacker

It would help if we actually called running plays.

RayClay

All running backs run better with more carries. All offensive lines block better and mesh with the running backs with more carries. All defenses get tires and beat up as the game goes on if you pound it sometimes.

Great, experienced RBs like Dillon and Taylor might get untracked a little earlier, but I'll stick with everything I said earlier being pretty much true.

You can get two RBs untracked with consistent use as the other two factors will still be in your favor. More than that is problematical, unless you plan to run a mostly ground game offense.

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RayClay

Not a bad idea. I think you run one guy most of a half, then blend in.
You can't just run 10 times a game, whether you use one or two.

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