drpatriot

Since there are so many of these lately, I thought I'd add one of my own.

By week 17, will Maroney be sitting on the bench, phasing in or completely taking over Corey Dillon's starting spot?

__________________
"Nobody in the game of football should be called a genius. A genius is somebody like Norman Einstein." - Joe Theismann

PATRIOTS-80

I had the distinct privilege of watching Dillon play in college. He played against the team I rooted for and carried 5 of our undersized guys for 5 yards every time. Maroney is a north/south runner, but not in the style of Dillon. Maroney will hit the hole and be gone. Maroney's faster, but Dillon is Dillion.

Maroney is the perfect complimentary to Dillon. Dillion will help by keeping him from being pounded and worn down (it happens to college backs all the time), and Maroney will help Dillon by freeing things up as a change of pace. (Just imagine how out of breath the secondary is after chasing Maroney! LOL).

As long as everybody's healthy and Dillon doesn't get upset about sharing time, I see Dillon as a "big-formation, push the pile" kinda back in the future.

PATSNUTme

How about Godzilla vs King Kong? I wonder who would win? Probably Godzilla, King Kong had a soft side to him.

OK back to Dillon vs Maroney. Both can be used very effectively. Also if both are working well, it helps Brady a lot in selling the play action.

desi-patsfan

I think we will see a priest holmes/larry johnson duo here. Both corey and laurence will contribute to our running game alot.

PatsFanInVa

Desi's close to right here. We'll get 5-10 Maroney carries per game most games. Another comparison (shudder) would be Davis/Foster in Carolina. I think we definitely rely more on Dillon this season, but give Maroney his carries... he does not ride the pine all year by any stretch of the imagination. I also think this approach goes on as long as Dillon is Dillon (as we remember him.) Yeah he rushed for 3.5 a carry or something last year - injured, and with a makeshift line. Well, everybody's back on the O-line, and now the "newbies" are vets with a year of experience behind them. Plus (stop me if you've heard this one...) what if O'Callaghan can compete at NFL level, as a run blocker?

Point is, Dillon could bounce right back to elite status, and then the "get Maroney on the field!" debate is over. Yes, you get him on to spell Dillon - a series or two per game. Faulk continues in his third down role (oh yeah that's right, he's back too!) And Maroney gets to be patient a year or two, because he can help extend one great back's career, and potentially be another great back with fresh legs, once it truly makes sense.

Don't hope for seeing a full game of Maroney, unless it's like Miami last year, a meaningless game at the end... because that's the equivalent of hoping Corey's done.

Ah, but we'll see flashes here and there... just enough to tantalize.

PFnV

JR4

I don't think there is any question Dillon's days are numbered. Even when he
wasn't injured he looked real tired at times last year.

Most likely Dillon will get most of the carries at first. But by November sometime I wouldn't be surprised to see Maroney getting 15 to 20 carries
a game. Once Maroney learns the system ( it won;t take long he's very
smart) why would BB keep him on the bench. BB has said it has been a long
time since he's had a back that can accelerate though a hole like Maroney.
The only thing holding Maroney back is getting to know the system and
8 or 10 games of NFL experience.

PatsFanInVa

Here are our knowns and unknowns:
Known:
1) We know under last year's conditions CD could not produce (although he still piled up the TDs.)
2) We know under normal conditions CD is an elite back.
3) We know Maroney seems to have NFL-level game.

Unknown:
1) We do not know whether CD can return to 1300+ yards, 10+ TDs, assuming various other factors "break his way."
2) We do not know Maroney's value in the NFL.
3) We do not know the learning curve for Maroney.

My guesses are that Maroney could be competitive almost out of the gate. I would also hazard to guess that this year's conditions make Dillon a very good back once again.

On this we appear to disagree. He's 31, and will be 32 by year's end, which is understood - so, is he running on empty, or is it a year or two left at high level? I say the latter, but if it's the former, obviously (we think) we're well-positioned into the future.

If Corey comes back with a 4.5 ypc average, eating up clock when needed, picking up blitzes, do you really think the Pats take a flyer handing over the reins just because we're dying to see the new kid make good?

It's CD's to lose this year.

PFnV

JR4

I just don't think CD can handle 20-25 carries a games without a performance drop off. Maybe his off seaon will make a new man of him but
I doubt it. I remember last year, even at times in 2004, Dillion was tired.

CD will do well if Maroney can lighten his load. But by November
if Maroney is making big plays why would BB stick with CD for most of the
carries? Of course if Maroney is not much better than CD then CD gets
the majority of carries.

Mosi Moose

I see it like this (percentage of carries between the two):

Weeks 1-5: 70-30 Dillon
Weeks 6-12: 60-40 Dillon
Weeks 13 through playoffs: 55-45 Dillon

I really believe that by the end of the season, we have a solid 1-2 punch--a "pick your poison" backfield.

PatsFanInVa

I really do think you get to 65/35 by year's end... of course, if CD gets himself hurt and Maroney shines, it can happen way faster. We shall all see...
But ain't it nice not to be arguing the merits of Heath Evans?

PFnV