Would you trade Maroney Draft day for choices even at $700K CAP cost?

[DW Toys]

If we could get a third choice (or a second if we could get the "best" ultimate value) for Maroney even though we take a CAP hit, would you trade him now rather than wait for 2010? The downside is if he has even a worse year in 2009 we will get nothing for him. I don't think BB was comfortable with him as a projected #1 RB or he would not have went for Taylor. He isn't paying Taylor to sit. Maroney is not going to change his style and it does not fit our running game.

I don't think the CAP hit scares them. Does anyone remember if we lost CAP hit money on Jackson?

Teams that might take a flyer on Maroney are:

The Eagles with plenty of picks to trade away.

The Saints

The Chiefs if they dump LJ.

The Seahawks

The Browns

The Jags (almost a swap here)

The 49ers

The Bills (unlikely)

The Rams

The Lions

The Cards

The Cowboys took a $8.5m CAP hit dumping Owens. I think replacing Maroney at even a third round pick like Jennings or Brown might be a better move.

Or trade might make sense. A kid like Aaron Francisco of the Cards who is behind Wilson solves dedicating a pick for a SS this draft and he is NFL ready with 56 tackles and a FF as a backup in 2008. He is 6'2' and 207. He is only 25 and he will sit behind Wilson for another couple years. Just a thought.

Opinions?
DW Toys

Pro-Football Weekly: Keep a close eye on Cardinals second-year S Aaron Francisco, who we hear has put on decent weight and is being groomed to replace current FS Robert Griffith as early as next season. Our sources tell us the Cardinals believe they can probably get by with the aging Griffith in a starting role for one more season.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

No
We have picks
We need healthy RBs. Note the plural. RB health has been an issue. Let him compete this season for a role.

 

[BelichickFan]

Nope. Faulk is limited as a full time runner - if Morris or Taylor got hurt we'd be down to one real RB.

If someone wanted to give us the #1 back that we spent on Maroney I'd consider it but no way am I dumping him.

 

[Patriot Missile]

Granted, Maroney hasn't filled his end of being a number 1 pick by any means, mostly due to injuries. But there is no doubt he has shown flashes of being good at times. I'm really hoping by having both Taylor and Morris healthy that this lights a fire underneath this kid.

As far as I'm concerned he will probably not get gaudy numbers being in a RBBC, it's what he does with those carries that I care about. I'm hoping by limiting his reps and keeping the guy fresh we will see better results.

Trading him doesn't give us market value imo. He is a need and we can afford to keep him on another season and hope for the best.

 

[BelichickFan]

Granted, Maroney hasn't filled his end of being a number 1 pick by any means, mostly due to injuries. But there is no doubt he has shown flashes of being good at times. I'm really hoping by having both Taylor and Morris healthy that this lights a fire underneath this kid.

I'm not even sure he needs a fire, he has some issues with his vision but his YPC in his career is strong - he just needs to stay healthy much like another RB did earlier in his career (Fred Taylor).

 

[mgteich]

In addition to being needed in case Taylor or Morris are injured, Maroney is alos a reasonable kick returner.

 

[Patriot Missile]

I'm not even sure he needs a fire, he has some issues with his vision but his YPC in his career is strong - he just needs to stay healthy much like another RB did earlier in his career (Fred Taylor).

Fair enough about the health factor. I do agree he could still be the Pats back of the future with great success. Hopefully Taylor can show him how to run with more vision. Even though Taylor was often injured, his first 3 seasons blows away what Maroney has done thus far. I'm hoping Maroney can some what be on par with the taylor from 02 to 07.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

No..........

 

[BelichickFan]

Even though Taylor was often injured, his first 3 seasons blows away what Maroney has done thus far.

I wasn't trying to compare their first few years, just saying that Maroney has a 4.3 career average which is very solid. Far from a bust, he just needs that shoulder to get right.

 

[Patriot Missile]

I wasn't trying to compare their first few years, just saying that Maroney has a 4.3 career average which is very solid. Far from a bust, he just needs that shoulder to get right.

I know you weren't and I wasn't trying to imply that you were. I was just throwing a hope of mine in there. Sorry if it came out that way.

 

[PATSNUTme]

I'll just join the others by saying no. Besides we would miss out on those entertaining "Maroney made of glass" threads if we traded him.

 

[Feep50]

No........

 

[BelichickFan]

I know you weren't and I wasn't trying to imply that you were. I was just throwing a hope of mine in there. Sorry if it came out that way.

It's all good and I agree. Taylor averaged 4.6 his first two years, Maroney 4.3. Taylor was better but I'd take a healthy version of Maroney, certainly over the draft pick mentioned here.

 

[Brady'sButtBoy]

I wasn't trying to compare their first few years, just saying that Maroney has a 4.3 career average which is very solid. Far from a bust, he just needs that shoulder to get right.

You're right on - Maroney's far from a bust. Unlucky maybe but not a bust. I don't get the panic around Maroney. 14 games in year one, 13 year two (with around 800yds each year in a committee system), and then last year was a blowout with only 3, big deal. Ben Watson was a similar 1st rounder who has done absolutely zero next to Maroney.

Felger actually said this morning that it was questionable if Maroney even makes the team coming out of camp. I enjoy Felger mostly but here I have to say, yeah right.

 

[stinkypete]

Maroney would be the LAST back to be cut from this roster right now. At his salary, Maroney is a valuable player even as a 3rd string RB/kick returner. Yes, he is a bust by 21st overall pick standards, but he is still a valuable member of the offense.

 

[Revman]

I think you have to consider this an option if you need have a chance to add value somwhere that is more vital to your 2009 scheme. Obviously I would not give him a way. Pat's may have a rookie back in mind, an Andre Brown,Javon Ringer type that could be just as productive within the rotation. Maroney is talented but has never been the catalyst for Championship runs. Determine his value to the team for 16 games-then make the decision.

 

[mgteich]

I agree that Maroney provides value for what we pay him. When he was drafted is totally irrelevant.

Maroney would be the LAST back to be cut from this roster right now. At his salary, Maroney is a valuable player even as a 3rd string RB/kick returner. Yes, he is a bust by 21st overall pick standards, but he is still a valuable member of the offense.

 

[HEY BRO! WHAT UP?]

That would be a stupid move. First of all, he's cheap. Second, the Pats running backs like getting injured. Third, he doesn't have any trade value because he's injured every year.

 

[DW Toys]

I think you have to consider this an option if you need have a chance to add value somwhere that is more vital to your 2009 scheme. Obviously I would not give him a way. Pat's may have a rookie back in mind, an Andre Brown,Javon Ringer type that could be just as productive within the rotation. Maroney is talented but has never been the catalyst for Championship runs. Determine his value to the team for 16 games-then make the decision.

A lot of Mocks have us taking Donald Brown in the second. We don't need Maroney and Brown, do we? If we could draft an O-Lineman like a Cadigan or Lang in the third, now does it makes sense to get that third form someone else for Maroney? I am just sayin. I think it is almost a guarantee we draft an RB....why?
DW Toys

 

[spacecrime]

just saying that Maroney has a 4.3 career average which is very solid.

This is what I don't understand. Because Maroney is very good, people want to cut him because he isn't the greatest.

Where are you going to get a guy wiht a career 4.3 ave ypc for $700k?

I wouldn't sign him to a big extension, but $700k is not a lot of money for a quality backup running back.