Pats4ever3

I completely agree..so far Maroney has been consistent - picking up 5+ yards repeatedly without breaking any very long runs, which makes his 4.7 average even more impressive. I guess it's only a matter of time before he breaks it for 30+.

zarakotas5

Good point. I, among many people forget that a 4.7 comes from 1,3,6,5,-1,10,5, etc.

To Oswlek:
I also understand your point about the offensive structure, but 4 plays with 2 backs doesn't undermine the O anymore than having four down linemen on the field 20% undermines a 3-4 defense. Again, a TE roving around in motion behind the line before the snap is of no disconcert to our present offensive schemes.

I am bold enough to say that LM is similar to LT is pure running ability. SD runs a FB for him, with a "similar" line (running game, at least).

I not at all purporting to re-arrange the running game. I'm simply asking what benefits could/might be gained by giving LM a FB/TE/etc. lead block on a few plays, disguised or not.

Oswlek

But the point is that a zone play does not use a leading FB. Asking to add a FB *is* asking to rearrange the entire running game.

Sorry, I didn't see the direct response.

Coaches who are adept with zone plays have a common thought: In order to be good at zone running, you need to do it all the time. Also, NE is still working out the kinks, so you would expect some sloppiness.

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"They have one objective," said Washington cornerback Shawn Springs. "They whoop people's [backsides]. If you understand that, it answers all your questions. They might not lose [this year]."

fourthandmiles

So Oswelk, would the hesitation that he is showing when approching the line have to do with the zone also? I can only assume the lanes have to develop. Right?

If I had never seen him play I'd think you guys were describing JR Redmond. Running into the backs of all the OL.

emoney_33

They also have a success rate stat, which maroney is ranked 3rd (Morris ranked 2nd). Every running back gets stuffed behind the line or for no gain from time to time. It's not like there IS a whole and Maroney just waits for it to collapse. When he gets stuffed early like that, there is a defender in the hole, on backfield when he gets the ball so what the hell is he supposed to do, transform into Barry Sanders or just never get tackled by anyone ever?

Sure I'd agree there are a few times that Maroney might studder or think a little too long for a split second, making it seem he could have gotten something but a vast majority of the time it is not the case. He's still young, and he'll never be perfect, no one can be. But he sure as hell is a whole ton of a lot better than many give him credit for these days. Btw 4.2 ypc when he's the loneback (which he almost always is anyway), don't need no stinkin lead fulback

upstater1

There's no point in drafting a running back.

If I'm the Patriots, I just wait for the Bills to cut bait with their RB. The Bills are pretty good at scouting RBs, but they are pretty bad at keeping them.

Check this out:

Antowain Smith
Sammy Morris
Travis Henry
Willis McGahee
Marshawn Lynch

All good RBs, and none of them signed a second contract with the team. 5 1st day draft picks on RBs in the last decade.

spacecrime

Cool. Show us stats that make the point that Reggie Dupard rated higher as a Pats RB than Curtis Martin.

signbabybrady

Maroney is nasty...see heisman pose below....look at who the team he is playing in that pic is.....


MNF ohhhhh yeaaahhhh

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Oswlek

Maroney has admitted that he can be a little overwhelmed at times with thinking too much. In particular, he has been working hard to ensure that he is running with proper leverage to give him more power and to deflect some of the more jarring type hits. This can be specifically hindering with a zone running system because it is the runner's responsibility to read the blocking and decide which space to attack. Once Maroney is able to just read and react I fully expect to see the back we all want LoMo to be.

BTW, other than Pony, you won't find someone who likes Maroney more than I do. My criticism is a case of someone pushing a guy who can be the best RB in the game to actualize it, not harping on a mediocre kid.

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"They have one objective," said Washington cornerback Shawn Springs. "They whoop people's [backsides]. If you understand that, it answers all your questions. They might not lose [this year]."

All_Around_Brown

It is Laurence.

But more to the point, last year he was getting into space and just throwing off tacklers with a stiff arm. That Bengals game was amazing. This year that hasnt really been so obvious, thus far. I too see him dancing too much, but hes getting the yardage so whos to complain? LoMo has my vote as a top 10 back, and will probably be in the top 5 by the seasons end.

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