sebman2112

The Patriots offensive playcalling is predictable, and I can generally tell you if they are going to run off left tackle, if they are going to run fake, and sometimes you can spot a few other things related to the running backs before the snap. Their offense has had some of this same predictability for a few years now, but the Patriots high talent level this season has been able to get it down, even when the opposing defense knows what's coming.

This is why a lot of the Patriots success in that Eagles game simply came down to Tom Brady's ability to find the open man even when getting pressured, and the Patriots top level receiving options being able to get open.

You can point to Maroney's perceived lack of receiving skills as a reason for their being so predictable, but that wouldn't be entirely true. Did you watch the Redskins game? Maroney cought both passes they threw to him rather easily, and picked up 37 yards receiving. He also cought 22 passes last year for 194 yards. Against the Eagles last night he dropped that one pass (which got me annoyed because he had realistate infront of him), but you can't just stop using him as a receiver because he dropped one pass. Heck, it seemed there were plenty of dropped balls to go around last night with Moss, Welker, and Stallworth all dropping receptions they should have made, so maybe there was some lack of focus last night? It would make sense, since many of the defensive players had their heads up their respective a$$es.

The Patriots went into the game wanting to spread the Eagles out, and in those four wide packages Faulk is you're best option. This isn't because Maroney sucks as a receiver (he's slightly above average for a RB), it's just that Faulk is one of the best receiver's out of the backfield in the NFL, and he's also been able to make some key blocks for Brady in those situations.

NE ran the ball twice with Faulk. On those two carries he gained a total of 0 yards, and one of those rushes was a draw out of the spread.

When the Patriots brought Maroney into the game it was pretty much obvious they intended to use him, and I don't remember him getting any reps out of the spread? With the playcalling being ultra predictable Maroney was able to pick up 31 yards on 10 carries.
On more than one of those carries the Eagles had the run blitz in full effect, and on more than one carry the blitzer went unblocked. I remember one play in particular last night where Maroney received the handoff and the free blitzer was in his face within one step. That was very bad run blocking by the Patriots O-line, and had absolutely nothing to do with Maroney's ability as a RB. While averaging only 3.1 ypc, Maroney did pick up 4, 6, 7, and 10 yard gains on carries in very predictable situations. On the 4 yard TD he ran with speed, good pad level, showed some power, and refused to go down. Also, 3 of those 10 carries came at the end of the game when you're just trying to kill the clock.

So, given the situation I don't think Maroney did all that bad, and they probably should have used him a little more.

Really, I think Josh and BB have fallen in love with their passing attack, and I can't blame them since it is so good, but it would seem intelligent to start running the ball a little.

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emoney_33

Yup and you KNOW that if BB said ANYTHING negative about Maroney, these same doom-and-gloomers who don't "believe anything BB says to the media" would believe him then.

PonyExpress

I would like to see Maroney used in the spread instead of Faulk. IMO this comes down to trust in pass protection, and the staff has absolute trust in Faulk in that regard. Still, I would like to see Maroney used in that formation, and I expect it will happen next season. That would keep the defense honest and allow Maroney more opportunities in space. There are obviously in house reasons why BB is babying Maroney and limiting his touches. My belief is that BB is bringing along Maroney slowly on purpose, as a plan, and not out of any dissatisfaction with him. When the perfect season was on the line in the 4th quarter, Maroney was the one on the goal line, Maroney was the one running the ball. That tells me that BB has real faith in him, in addition to BB's postgame praise. The fickle nature of this fan base, which wants perfection in all things as soon as possible, is normal but at times regrettable. I remain steadfast IMO that Maroney will be a superstar and prove all his doubters wrong.

VJCPatriot

And the excuse making for Maroney begins! Bottom line he totaled 31 yards on 10 carries for a 3.1 ypc AND in the previous game he gained 19 total yards. If McDaniels really had confidence in Maroney I would think the gameplan would have called for him more, particularly since the Eagles aren't know for a stout run D. The only other likely reason Maroney did not touch the football is that he was still nursing an injury that BB would not like anyone to know about. There you have it "low confidence" or "injury prone". Not exactly the attributes you want associated with your starting RB.

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emoney_33

But that's when play action works, when everyone "KNOWS" you're running the ball.

The second time Maroney was in the game they went play action but Moss dropped it. The play action won't work effectively if you use it too much. I think BB and McDaniels know what they are doing.

sebman2112

I agree with a lot of this. I wouldn't say their not using Maroney much against the Eagles was BB babying him though. Faulk is simply one of the best receiving RB's in the NFL, and he's also a good blocker, so you almost have to use him in that package. I just wish they had changed it up a little from drive to drive, and maybe they could have given Maroney a few of Faulk's snaps.

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bradmahn

Your agenda-driven drivel is bordering on ignorance.

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I don't like Dungy and that's because he [was] the head coach of the Colts. Period. End of question. The degree to which I like a player or coach is predicated solely on the color of the laundry they wear on Sunday. When fans admit this and stop bashing players and coaches for any other reason, the world of sports will be infinitely improved.

VJCPatriot

Just the facts. This is a what have you done for me lately league.
Maroney's production the past 2 weeks: 31 yards and 19 yards rushing.
Sorry if I don't sugarcoat it the way you like it, but those are the cold, hard facts.

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Oswlek

The Eagles are #6 in defensive ypc. Maybe they would be "known" for run D if you actually did some fact checking?

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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]."

sebman2112

Way to chop up what I said. Notice how I said I was annoyed with his dropped pass (as I was with the other dropped passes in the game)? I did say he only averaged 3.1 ypc, but I also pointed out that he had a nice TD run with other runs of 6, 7, and 10 yards? I also pointed out the situations they were using Maroney in, and pointed out the run blitzer who went unblocked. I said he didn't do all that badly considering the situation. Basically, he wasn't great, but he wasn't bad either when you take in all the factors.

Sorry, that might seem like excuse making to you, since you're all over McFadden's jock, and it's obvious you don't like Maroney. Heck, in the past you made it seem like a 5 yard gain by Maroney where it took four defenders to get him down was a bad run. To people who have a solid perception of reality it's obvious I was trying to be fair and mention both sides of the coin.


Oh, and it's also obvious that McFadden has about a 0.5% change of becoming a Patriot in 2008.

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