Maroney for short yardage, too? - New England Patriots Forums

Fencer · 10-03-2006, 01:05 AM

We all know by now that Dillon waved off Maroney on 4th-and-goal, and scored himself. But that means Maroney was headed into the game. We also all know he was tried, unsuccessfully, on 4th-and-short vs. Denver. If BB thinks Maroney is already a serious short-yardage option on a team that has a healthy Dillon, then given all his other skills -- wow. Those who've predicted he'll be principal RB soon may well be right. Indeed, the only thing that would keep him from that role at this point, IMO, would be a deliberate decision to load-balance so as to keep both guys relatively fresh, especially since Maroney split carries even on a college schedule against college opposition.

khayos · 10-03-2006, 01:08 AM

I've heard it said recently.... and i beleive it... a good RB can't be the everydown back lest their career be shortened to 3 seasons or less. I love the quickness + bruiser approach and hope Dillon stays for another 3 years just to pound the hell out of defenses.

***mtbykr*** · 10-03-2006, 01:22 AM

Let's not get carried away. Dillion is our short yardage/clock killer. Maroney can't do that yet, and isn't that type of runner. We are better to let corey do that and keep both of them fresh

RPCity · 10-03-2006, 01:54 AM

Shortened TO three seasons or shortened BY three seasons???

***DarrylS*** · 10-03-2006, 04:57 AM

As much as I like Maroney he is not ready for the HOF just yet, with our three musketeers in the backfield we can produce a lot of looks and keep the D off balance. On Sunday Dillon deserved to get his TD, particularly after his foray in Cincinnati.. Dillon has stood the test of time and deserves all the props he can get. Maroney is still learning and will get his due, he will be a back that the fans will remember for a long time.

sarge · 10-03-2006, 05:14 AM

I think the only reason Maroney was headed in was that Dillon had just been in on 3 straight plays.

Dillon I think will be the short yardage guy this season, and probably the next as well!

zoostation · 10-03-2006, 06:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fencer

We all know by now that Dillon waved off Maroney on 4th-and-goal, and scored himself. But that means Maroney was headed into the game. We also all know he was tried, unsuccessfully, on 4th-and-short vs. Denver. If BB thinks Maroney is already a serious short-yardage option on a team that has a healthy Dillon, then given all his other skills -- wow. Those who've predicted he'll be principal RB soon may well be right. Indeed, the only thing that would keep him from that role at this point, IMO, would be a deliberate decision to load-balance so as to keep both guys relatively fresh, especially since Maroney split carries even on a college schedule against college opposition.

Time out. Listen. Maroney couln't run on the Denver D either (and by the way, CD looked good before he got hurt). Understand this. Corey Dillon is a clock killing machine. He punishes the LB's and he softens the D for Maroney. Let's keep things as they are. Corey Dillon has earned the right to wave off a rookie. At that point it's the players decision as the sideline is wondering if he is winded.

***BelichickFan*** · 10-03-2006, 07:25 AM

There's no doubt that Maroney could be the short yardage guy. He's quick, has vision and solid power. In fact he may be better than Dillon in every role (other than blocking although he's pretty good there). However it's still best to carve out a role for Dillon to get a good split and keep this two headed beast going. Because although Maroney may be better in any given situation, he can't carry the 35-40 times a game we've been running.

Fencer · 10-03-2006, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zoostation

Time out. Listen. Maroney couln't run on the Denver D either (and by the way, CD looked good before he got hurt). Understand this. Corey Dillon is a clock killing machine. He punishes the LB's and he softens the D for Maroney. Let's keep things as they are. Corey Dillon has earned the right to wave off a rookie. At that point it's the players decision as the sideline is wondering if he is winded.

Obviously there's some problem with my writing skills, since what you evidently read in my post has little to do with what I actually meant. Oddly, other folks posting in this thread did seem to understand what I meant ... hmm, maybe I should consider alternative theories.

Fencer · 10-03-2006, 05:37 PM

Tomase makes a persuasive case that Maroney has been a lot more effective when following a lead blocker (Evans or Graham) than in a single-back set. He suggests that this is common for rookies used to running behind blocking backs in college. http://www.bostonherald.com/blogs/patriots/