Do you wish we had taken Addai with our #1 pick over Maroney in 2006? - New England Patriots Forums

PATRIOT64 · 11-04-2007, 11:56 PM

After watching these 2 runners pitted against each other on the opposing teams again,I must say I think Indy got the better overall runner of the 2,Addai is quicker,faster and seems smarter when it comes to choosing where to hit the hole.

You might say that Addai may not have fit into this system and he is suited better for Indy and Maroney for the Patriots, but I think if you look at these 2 players today and you could pick which runner you would want on this team (which we did have the pick before Indy),I cannot envision most going against Addai in favor of Maroney.

One of the announcers during the game even compared Addai to a version of a young Barry Sanders - That is a mighty big compliment for a 2nd year player.

Addai it seemed at times almost by himself,outsmarted and outdid a very intelligent BB defensive unit many times during the game especially during that incredible run at the end of the 2nd quarter which was a combination of shoddy tackilng and smart brilliant moves by Joseph,If that does not spell an impressive RB,I don't know what other way to explain it to anyone.

A rare healthy Maroney has shown flashes of being a good player but in my opinion if you look at these 2 players,Addai is the better overall runner,Maroney has more power,but Addai seems to have the edge in the other facets of a running back - albeit Maroney's stats are decent,I still can't envision my opinion being any different in the future.

brady199 · 11-05-2007, 12:00 AM

If the pats Featured Maroney, you would probably see similar Numbers, Addai is probably better in the passing game comprable to Kevin Faulk.

***reflexblue*** · 11-05-2007, 12:03 AM

I remember that Addie wasn't held in high regard that year. He was considered on the bottom of the top running back list. Maybe even dropping into the 2nd rd. because the rap was he had great front line speed but not elusive enough. Iguess he proved the experts wrong. Because Maroney was picked with the info available (Polian wanted him instead of addie) I can't say that it was a mistake to take Maroney it looks like Polian lucked out.Like I said he had his eye's set on Maroney and took addie as the consolation prize.

Ishdul · 11-05-2007, 12:04 AM

Not that there's not a hint of regret on my side, but it's two years in and they have two completely different roles on on two completely different teams. It's not even a question of hindsight yet.

***Ghost of Ben Dreith*** · 11-05-2007, 12:05 AM

Hindsight is 20/20. If you remember, Brady stated that Manning told him we took their RB when we grabbed Maroney ahead of Addai.

At this stage, yes, I think its pretty clear that Addai is better. Maroney isn't a stiff by any means.....but if I had a choice I would rather have Addai. But on draft day I was all about drafting Maroney over Addai, so no complaints from me on it. Both good at this point, Addai just a bit better.

If Maroney stays healthy for the rest of the year, this discussion will probably take care of itself.

***Deus Irae*** · 11-05-2007, 12:06 AM

Why would I wish that the Patriots had taken the lesser player?

SoonerPatriot · 11-05-2007, 12:07 AM

The only thing I don't like about Maroney is that he's allergic to the endzone. It's clear BB has very little confidence in him to punch it in on short and goal situations. And even when they gave him the ball down there (for once) today, he couldn't get it in.

I think Addai is better right now. There's no question about it. However, I give Maroney a little bit of a break because some players take longer than others to develop and Addai walked into an offense that's basically stayed the same for years and is the perfect fit for his style.

The real "what if?" in my opinion is us taking Steven Jackson in the 2004 draft rather than trading for Dillon. Jackson's injury issues on a very bad team with very bad QB play notwithstanding, he's a beast.

***Terry Glenn is a cowgirl*** · 11-05-2007, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PATRIOT64

After watching these 2 runners pitted against each other on the opposing teams again,I must say I think Indy got the better overall runner of the 2,Addai is quicker,faster and seems smarter when it comes to choosing where to hit the hole.

You might say that Addai may not have fit into this system and he is suited better for Indy and Maroney for the Patriots, but I think if you look at these 2 players today and you could pick which runner you would want on this team (which we did have the pick before Indy),I cannot envision most going against Addai in favor of Maroney.

One of the announcers during the game even compared Addai to a version of a young Barry Sanders - That is a mighty big compliment for a 2nd year player.

Addai it seemed at times almost by himself,outsmarted and outdid a very intelligent BB defensive unit many times during the game especially during that incredible run at the end of the 2nd quarter which was a combination of shoddy tackilng and smart brilliant moves by Joseph,If that does not spell an impressive RB,I don't know what other way to explain it to anyone.

A rare healthy Maroney has shown flashes of being a good player but in my opinion if you look at these 2 players,Addai is the better overall runner,Maroney has more power,but Addai seems to have the edge in the other facets of a running back - albeit Maroney's stats are decent,I still can't envision my opinion being any different in the future.

So far... Addai is ahead of Maroney, sort of obvious.

PATRIOT64 · 11-05-2007, 12:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reflexblue

I remember that Addie wasn't held in high regard that year. He was considered on the bottom of the top running back list. Maybe even dropping into the 2nd rd. because the rap was he had great front line speed but not elusive enough. Iguess he proved the experts wrong. Because Maroney was picked with the info available (Polian wanted him instead of adie) I can't say that it was a mistake to take Maroney it looks like Polian lucked out.Like I said he had his eye's set on Maroney and took addie as the consolation prize.

OH,Theres absolutely no doubt BB took Maroney knowing Indy wanted him badly but Polian got lucky again in choosing a top quality player almost out of nowhere,Polian has been doing this with draft picks for a very long time,Thats why he is such a brilliant GM when it comes to choosing drafted players and a big reason why Indy is almost solely built around the draft and rarily by FAs and why that team has been competitive every year Polian has been there.

Like him or not, if the Colts did not have that man select the perfect players for the Colts in just about every year in the draft, we would not be talking about Indy being such a great team for so long - name the last time Indy had a bad overall draft and had nothing but busts....can't remember any years in the Polian era?..I can't either

Fencer · 11-05-2007, 12:19 AM

Didn't Addai have an injury rap in college? Or was he just presumed fragile due to his size?

From Curtis Martin onward, it seems that predictions of RBs' pro durability have been very questionable. Adrian Peterson is just the latest draft steal based on health concerns.