Encouraging words from Maroney

[JSn]

In Reiss' Blog:

Maroney marches forward - Reiss' Pieces - Boston.com

While Maroney is looking forward to Saturday's March for Babies, he's also anxious for his fourth NFL season in New England. He said he's participating fully in the team's offseason program without restrictions, working mostly with fellow running backs Kevin Faulk, Sammy Morris and BenJarvus Green-Ellis (running back Fred Taylor is training in South Florida).

In his first three seasons, Maroney hasn't experienced the type of consistent success he's hoped, in large part due to injuries. But he currently has a clean bill of health and is fueled by those who aren't figuring him into the team's running back plans.

"I'm working hard and feeling good," he said. "Whenever somebody counts you out, you want to show them they're wrong.”

No one around here like that, right?

 

[mayoclinic]

I hope his play does the talking. There's no doubting the ability. But I need more than words to show that he has what it takes to be a stud RB. Until proven otherwise, I think that he runs too upright, dances around too much int he backfield, and shies away from contact. I hope to God he proves me wrong.

 

[Nunchucks]

I think Maroney has tons of talent, but I've heard this story before. He needs to prove it on the field.

 

[Angry Man]

I feel this will be the season Maroney will finally show us all what he is capable of.

 

[JSn]

I feel this will be the season Maroney will finally show us all what he is capable of.

I think your record player is stuck, hehe.

 

[Lampshade]

With the shoulder healed up I fully expect the end of 2007, running-people-over, downhill Maroney to show up.

Maroney, Watson, Woods. I'm rooting for the put upons.

 

[JSn]

With the shoulder healed up I fully expect the end of 2007, running-people-over, downhill Maroney to show up.

Maroney, Watson, Woods. I'm rooting for the put upons.

Same here. If only his last name was "Waroney".

 

[condon84]

It's groundhog day!

 

[Deus Irae]

In every sport, there are injuries that can be played through and injuries that can't, and those injuries can vary by position in some sports. Running backs lead with their upper bodies/shoulders to take on hits. Maroney injured his shoulder, meaning every hit was a jar to his injury. Either the shoulder didn't heal or he got a new shoulder injury and had to go through the same process all over again. We're not talking about just bruised ribs here, where taking a week or two off solves the problem.

Let's have some of the tough guys on this board take a pounding from 350 pound tackles and 250 pound linebackers flying in and cracking them shoulder to shoulder, even with healthy shoulders. Maybe then they'll shut up about this. Rather than busting on the running back, perhaps they could show some concern that a kid of that age is already dealing with two shoulder surgeries (Well, assuming he had surgery both times since the Patriots medical staff can keep secrets better than the CIA) and that could lead to issues later on in his life. The kid tried to play through the injuries and couldn't. I'm quite confident that a lot of the people complaining about his fragility would be pulling themselves out of sports at the first tweak of a hamstring, assuming they could bring themselves to get off the couch first.

 

[RayClay]

With the shoulder healed up I fully expect the end of 2007, running-people-over, downhill Maroney to show up.

Maroney, Watson, Woods. I'm rooting for the put upons.

Yeah, a bum shoulder doesn't make for a downhill running style. I do think Maroney's style is best with a little room to move.

I really think the acquisition of Fred Taylor is partially to school Maroney on hitting the hole and running in tight quarters.

Mo will never be Earl Campbell, but every RB has to be able to run it up the gut occasionally to keep the defense honest.

I remember Parcells saying he thought Curtis Martin's game would improve by running inside more, and he was right. And Martin doesn't pack the load Maroney does.

 

[Lampshade]

Yeah, a bum shoulder doesn't make for a downhill running style. I do think Maroney's style is best with a little room to move.

I really think the acquisition of Fred Taylor is partially to school Maroney on hitting the hole and running in tight quarters.

Mo will never be Earl Campbell, but every RB has to be able to run it up the gut occasionally to keep the defense honest.

I remember Parcells saying he thought Curtis Martin's game would improve by running inside more, and he was right. And Martin doesn't pack the load Maroney does.

Yeah, a shoulder injury is a terrible thing for a RB. It makes you shy away from contact, and opens you up to all sorts of (nonsensical, imo) criticisms of being soft etc. The last few games of 07, and into the playoffs he was doing a far better job of taking it up the gut, and even moving the odd pile or two.

 

[mikegibbons]

I don't post much around here, but the Maroney bashing has always annoyed me. (Not saying it's anyone in this thread.)

As another commenter mentioned, it's a tough game. Yes, it's tough for everyone, but especially at the RB position you're going to have guys who get hurt more often.

Now the media and boards have lauded bringing in Fred Taylor this offseason; I agree with that praise. He's going to be an asset. However, wasn't Fred Taylor labeled "Fragile Fred" for a bulk of his career? People piled on him and the 'hating' seemed to snowball on the guy.

Well Maroney's never killed anyone, never assaulted his girl, never received a DUI, and has always been at the workout programs and mini-camps. Maybe instead of "killing the guy" we should cut him some slack. He's in the prime of his career for a RB and has more physical ability than any of the RBs on the roster. I'm encouraged by his attitude and hope for a good year from the guy.

 

[JSn]

It will certainly be exciting to see him in space if the run blocking is as killer as it was in the latter half of last year. To my understanding, that's when he's the biggest problem and we might like his dancing then.

 

[Sicilian]

I remember spraining (just spraining) my shoulder when I played hockey. I could barely lift my arm to my shoulder height without an excruciating twist. If a 250 pound guy tackled me with it, I probably would have passed out.

I think Maroney has some things to work on as all players do. But in his healthy years he averaged over 4 ypc, and I don't think you do that by being soft.

 

[TheBaronPatriot]

Yeah, a bum shoulder doesn't make for a downhill running style. I do think Maroney's style is best with a little room to move.

I really think the acquisition of Fred Taylor is partially to school Maroney on hitting the hole and running in tight quarters.

Mo will never be Earl Campbell, but every RB has to be able to run it up the gut occasionally to keep the defense honest.

I remember Parcells saying he thought Curtis Martin's game would improve by running inside more, and he was right. And Martin doesn't pack the load Maroney does.

I agree, Fred Taylor has been a durable back with a long career for a RB.
He certainly did not hurt Maurice Jones Drew in Jax.

He's never really had a back with his style to learn from.
Faulk is a pass catcher... Morris is a truck.
Taylor is close to Maroney in style and can hopefully teach him how and when to protect himself.

 

[37Harrison]

I think your record player is stuck, hehe.

So is Maroney's.

 

[signbabybrady]

With Taylor in the Mix I expect That Maroney gives a good solid season like he did with Dillon here. Between the two they will put up really good numbers and add in what Morris and Faulk can do and our run game should be great.

Maroney has tons of skills and if he is healthy he is fun to watch. With the staple of backs we have we don't have to worry about his health because there is depth so I am excited to see what he can do.

 

[letekro]

In every sport, there are injuries that can be played through and injuries that can't, and those injuries can vary by position in some sports. Running backs lead with their upper bodies/shoulders to take on hits. Maroney injured his shoulder, meaning every hit was a jar to his injury. Either the shoulder didn't heal or he got a new shoulder injury and had to go through the same process all over again. We're not talking about just bruised ribs here, where taking a week or two off solves the problem.

Let's have some of the tough guys on this board take a pounding from 350 pound tackles and 250 pound linebackers flying in and cracking them shoulder to shoulder, even with healthy shoulders. Maybe then they'll shut up about this. Rather than busting on the running back, perhaps they could show some concern that a kid of that age is already dealing with two shoulder surgeries (Well, assuming he had surgery both times since the Patriots medical staff can keep secrets better than the CIA) and that could lead to issues later on in his life. The kid tried to play through the injuries and couldn't. I'm quite confident that a lot of the people complaining about his fragility would be pulling themselves out of sports at the first tweak of a hamstring, assuming they could bring themselves to get off the couch first.

I don't think anyone's questioning his toughness, and those questioning his ability are fools, but we can question his ability to stay on the field - he needs to prove he can.

 

[RayClay]

I agree, Fred Taylor has been a durable back with a long career for a RB.
He certainly did not hurt Maurice Jones Drew in Jax.

He's never really had a back with his style to learn from.
Faulk is a pass catcher... Morris is a truck.
Taylor is close to Maroney in style and can hopefully teach him how and when to protect himself.

And Taylor is oh so quick to the hole. Different style than the Jim Brownish, deceptively lazy, then quickstep that Dillon used.

Maroney's got the power, it's his timing to the hole that's off. In the open field he's as good as anyone, I think. fast as hell and just overpowers single tacklers, especially DB's.

 

[Deus Irae]

I don't think anyone's questioning his toughness, and those questioning his ability are fools, but we can question his ability to stay on the field - he needs to prove he can.

Really? Maroney's played in 16 games over the past 2 seasons (he also played in 14 of 16 games as a rookie). Morris has played in 19 (just 12 in Maroney's rookie season. Neither number is anywhere near the 32 games maximum.

So, where are all the Morris bashing threads and snide comments? He's played in 1 more game than Maroney since Maroney's been in the NFL.