Maroney is a shy guy due to his shoulder injury?

[mesoslo]

In the previous years, the guys on PFW in progress mentioned that Maroneys doesnt hit the hole. Now that we know Maroney has been playin with a shoulder injury those earlier years, does that make you feel confident knowing that a future shoulder healthy Maroney will be able to hit the hole consistently and use his agility to bounce of tackle and make cuts across the field for big gains?

If other teams know that with Maroney's healthy shoulder and his speed he should be able to hit the hole really hard so they will converge more strength to the hole, but with a health shoulder and his agility and cuts Maroney should be able to bounce off tackles for big gains.

If other teams decide to play a passive run attack which is great against a RB with more agility than strength, Maroney's speed and size should be able to plow through the passive the run attack and pick up first downs.

 

[RoughingthePasser]

Ivan Fears has been working on his running style for a couple of years.
Maroney runs upright and has some difficulties hitting the hole- as opposed to being a north/south pounder.

Shoulder injuries are bad for this position-I hope he got rehabbed pretty well because he's going to need to hit harder-a lot harder!

No worries on the rushing department at all though-we are pretty tough as it stands.

I like Maroney and believe the potential is there. He needs to play more physically, more often and hit holes, low and compact ready for contact.

easier said than done

 

[Feep50]

If I had a broken bone in my shoulder I imagine I would be somewhat reluctant to lower my head and slam into 275 pound defensive linemen with abandon. I like Maroney a lot. I really hope his injuries are behind him.

 

[iapatsfan]

I have have been just as critical of Maroney as anyone, and I believe the sideline play from last year was inexcusable. However, I feel part of the blame has to go on Dan Koppen. I am not going to list specific plays or games, but it sure seems he gets overwhelmed a lot and pushed into the backfield on running plays. This makes the Pats' RBs have to "dance" just to get back to the line of scrimmage. I remember when Maroney first got to New England, he was a pretty hard runner. In his first preseason game (I believe it was Atlanta) he looked like a stud. In the first regular season game against Buffalo he looked the same way. I don't remember ever thinking he was a dancer. Over the last couple years this has developed, and I think the injury explanation could explain part of it, but I think Koppen's poor run blocking is another component. If he is continually getting bull rushed into the backfield, what choice do RB's have but to dance to get back to the line of scrimmage. I think the dancing then becomes a percieved need on the part of the RB. They expect to have to do it, and that delay is what you see from Maroney.

 

[PatsFanSince74]

In the previous years, the guys on PFW in progress mentioned that Maroneys doesnt hit the hole. Now that we know Maroney has been playin with a shoulder injury those earlier years, does that make you feel confident knowing that a future shoulder healthy Maroney will be able to hit the hole consistently and use his agility to bounce of tackle and make cuts across the field for big gains?

If other teams know that with Maroney's healthy shoulder and his speed he should be able to hit the hole really hard so they will converge more strength to the hole, but with a health shoulder and his agility and cuts Maroney should be able to bounce off tackles for big gains.

If other teams decide to play a passive run attack which is great against a RB with more agility than strength, Maroney's speed and size should be able to plow through the passive the run attack and pick up first downs.

What we know is that he was playing with a broken bone in the area of his shoulder last year, not in "those earlier years," so I don't expect his running style to change that much. I expect him to be a productive RB as part of a tandem, as he was in the past, with occasional "great" games; I don't expect him to morph into a 1,600 yard producer, no matter how much I might hope or prefer that to occur.

As for the rest of your comments, you seem to know a lot about being an RB in the NFL with your comments on his ability to "plow through" the defense and "bounce of[f]" tackles, "hit the hole consistently" and "make cuts across the field" (whatever that is...i've heard of making cuts at the line to pick a hole, but that's a new one on me). I suspect that's all a little easier to say than it is to do, unless of course you too have experience as a Running Back in the NFL.

 

[RoughingthePasser]

As for the rest of your comments, you seem to know a lot about being an RB in the NFL with your comments on his ability to "plow through" the defense and "bounce of[f]" tackles, "hit the hole consistently" and "make cuts across the field" (whatever that is...i've heard of making cuts at the line to pick a hole, but that's a new one on me). I suspect that's all a little easier to say than it is to do, unless of course you too have experience as a Running Back in the NFL.

We're you ever a running back?

 

[BionicPatriot]

The potential I don't doubt. But the health I do. 3 seasons, 3 big injuries. Can you say injury prone?

 

[mesoslo]

As for the rest of your comments, you seem to know a lot about being an RB in the NFL with your comments on his ability to "plow through" the defense and "bounce of[f]" tackles, "hit the hole consistently" and "make cuts across the field" (whatever that is...i've heard of making cuts at the line to pick a hole, but that's a new one on me). I suspect that's all a little easier to say than it is to do, unless of course you too have experience as a Running Back in the NFL.

No I didnt play in the NFL. Play football with the neighbourhood kids, so Neighbourhood football league then yes.

Well usually with a really strong runningback when they collide with other players they dont go down easily. Remember the bills vs jets game last season? the bills running back just plowed through so many jet tackles, he like moved the entire pile. Now if that bills running back had quick acceleration and agility like maroney, he probally could have bounced of those tackles and make cuts across the field going from one sideline to another for big gains. And if the jets decide to play passive run defense and just cover as much of the backfield to prevent a agile runningback to make those cuts, then the strong and fast running back will just plow through the passive run defense and get first downs.

 

[VJCPatriot]

Well usually with a really strong runningback when they collide with other players they dont go down easily. Remember the bills vs jets game last season? the bills running back just plowed through so many jet tackles, he like moved the entire pile. Now if that bills running back had quick acceleration and agility like maroney, he probally could have bounced of those tackles and make cuts across the field going from one sideline to another for big gains. And if the jets decide to play passive run defense and just cover as much of the backfield to prevent a agile runningback to make those cuts, then the strong and fast running back will just plow through the passive run defense and get first downs.

Good runningbacks run through arm tackles and are able to make the first tackler miss on occasion. Maroney has not shown that ability and he has the noted vision issues, dancing in the hole rather than through it, avoiding contact instead of plowing for the first down, etc. The excuses for him that pile up are starting to sound like a broken record. Bottom line - he needs to produce if he wants to keep his job in the NFL. Otherwise he'll be bagging groceries or whatever it is that retired RBs do.

 

[klinefan]

I have have been just as critical of Maroney as anyone, and I believe the sideline play from last year was inexcusable. However, I feel part of the blame has to go on Dan Koppen. I am not going to list specific plays or games, but it sure seems he gets overwhelmed a lot and pushed into the backfield on running plays. This makes the Pats' RBs have to "dance" just to get back to the line of scrimmage. I remember when Maroney first got to New England, he was a pretty hard runner. In his first preseason game (I believe it was Atlanta) he looked like a stud. In the first regular season game against Buffalo he looked the same way. I don't remember ever thinking he was a dancer. Over the last couple years this has developed, and I think the injury explanation could explain part of it, but I think Koppen's poor run blocking is another component. If he is continually getting bull rushed into the backfield, what choice do RB's have but to dance to get back to the line of scrimmage. I think the dancing then becomes a percieved need on the part of the RB. They expect to have to do it, and that delay is what you see from Maroney.

Yeah, Koppen is not strong at all at the POA. They need to have a different kind of offense for their OL, especially when Koppen is going against a big NT who will eat him alive.

I always wondered why they didn't try to pass more to Maroney.

 

[APatrioticVirginian]

Yeah, Koppen is not strong at all at the POA. They need to have a different kind of offense for their OL, especially when Koppen is going against a big NT who will eat him alive.

I always wondered why they didn't try to pass more to Maroney.

He must have stone hands, because it seems to me he works best in space.

 

[emoney_33]

I have have been just as critical of Maroney as anyone, and I believe the sideline play from last year was inexcusable.

I am sorry, but there is no way in hell you would even put those pads on with a broken shoulder and you are going to say that not throwing a broken shoulder into an NFL defender is inexcusable? REALLY??

The level-headed people around here KNEW something was up with Maroney's shoulder after that play. The Maroney haters used it to pile up on him. In the end, the level-headed posters were correct.

When healthy, Maroney has shown the ability and willingness to lower the boom.

Have you ever broken a bone?

 

[Deus Irae]

I am sorry, but there is no way in hell you would even put those pads on with a broken shoulder and you are going to say that not throwing a broken shoulder into an NFL defender is inexcusable? REALLY??

The level-headed people around here KNEW something was up with Maroney's shoulder after that play. The Maroney haters used it to pile up on him. In the end, the level-headed posters were correct.

When healthy, Maroney has shown the ability and willingness to lower the boom.

Have you ever broken a bone?

Given that Faulk has no problem stepping out of bounds short of the first down marker, I wouldn't get too upset with the people who make that kind of argument. For them, it's clearly a personal issue, since we don't see thread after thread about Faulk and his "inexcusable" play.

 

[WelshPat]

^TBF Faulk is a 30+ year old 3rd down back and more is expected of Maroney

"Now that we know Maroney has been playin with a shoulder injury those earlier years"

He had a broken shoulder for 3 years?

 

[Deus Irae]

^TBF Faulk is a 30+ year old 3rd down back and more is expected of Maroney

"Now that we know Maroney has been playin with a shoulder injury those earlier years"

He had a broken shoulder for 3 years?

The 3 years thing is nonsense, and people need to cut that crap out. Maroney was fine as a rookie, and had 939 yards rushing and receiving compared to Dillon's 959, as well as 783 kick return yards on a 28.0 return average. He played 14 games and was more than servicable in his role.

In his second season, he got injured, but still played in 13 of 16 games and had some big games at the end of the year and in the playoffs. He rushed for 835 yards as part of a tandem with Morris who, for all the adulation he gets around here, missed 10 games and only rushed for 384 yards.

The reality is that Maroney has been fine when he's played, and he's played more than he's been given credit for. Patriots fans have simply become spoiled and more than a bit jerky in their behavior towards anyone who falls short of their ridiculously high expectations.

 

[PatsFanSince74]

We're you ever a running back?

of course not. that's why I don't pretend to talk like I have any real understanding of how hard those things are to accomplish. I'm tired of listening to people who would run scared if they ever had to step between the lines on a Sunday afternoon (as I surely would!) criticizing Maroney for being "shy" or "made of glass" or whatever the derogatory term of choice happens to be on any particular day.

His stats for his first two years in the league, before his injury, showed him to be a solid NFL RB as part of a tandem, a guy who will give the Pats 10--12 good/very good games a season and a couple of great games; not a 1,600 yard guy. Like a lot of people I hoped he might be those things when he was drafted amid some hoopla in the first round; it didn't turn out the way I hoped it would, but that doesn't make him what people out here try to make him.

 

[PatsFanSince74]

The 3 years thing is nonsense, and people need to cut that crap out. Maroney was fine as a rookie, and had 939 yards rushing and receiving compared to Dillon's 959, as well as 783 kick return yards on a 28.0 return average. He played 14 games and was more than servicable in his role.

In his second season, he got injured, but still played in 13 of 16 games and had some big games at the end of the year and in the playoffs. He rushed for 835 yards as part of a tandem with Morris who, for all the adulation he gets around here, missed 10 games and only rushed for 384 yards.

The reality is that Maroney has been fine when he's played, and he's played more than he's been given credit for. Patriots fans have simply become spoiled and more than a bit jerky in their behavior towards anyone who falls short of their ridiculously high expectations.

Well said. I'm as disappointed as anyone that Maroney didn't turn into the 1,600 yard rusher that the hype surrounding his selection suggested he might do. But, the guy's stats over his first two years suggest that he's a solid NFL RB as part of a tandem.

 

[State]

I just don't understand why he's taken down so easily. Doesn't he go about 220 pounds?

Even arm tackling by almost any defender brings him down. Let's hope he has a banner year.

I am worried about defenses attacking us up the gut with a 290 center who has a tendency to get swallowed and spit out by monster NTs. That may un-nerve Brady. I don't think he's gonna like opposing players darting about his legs after having his knee be blown out by that.

Koppen is also one of those workout warriors who I think shed pounds as the season goes on. I'm dreading seeing him against a solid 3-4 NT.

 

[klinefan]

If you don't think criticism from people who haven't played NFL RB or who would "run scared" is appropriate, then no poster is ever allowed to criticize anyone...after all who among us could play any position?

Maroney runs too upright which is probably partly why he was injured. He has a good heart, is brave, but danced behind the lines too much even before, long before, he hurt his shoulder.

 

[RoughingthePasser]

Ivan Fears has been working on his running style for a couple of years.
Maroney runs upright and has some difficulties hitting the hole- as opposed to being a north/south pounder.

Shoulder injuries are bad for this position-I hope he got rehabbed pretty well because he's going to need to hit harder-a lot harder!

No worries on the rushing department at all though-we are pretty tough as it stands.

I like Maroney and believe the potential is there. He needs to play more physically, more often and hit holes, low and compact ready for contact.

easier said than done

As for the rest of your comments, you seem to know a lot about being an RB in the NFL with your comments on his ability to "plow through" the defense and "bounce of[f]" tackles, "hit the hole consistently" and "make cuts across the field" (whatever that is...i've heard of making cuts at the line to pick a hole, but that's a new one on me). I suspect that's all a little easier to say than it is to do, unless of course you too have experience as a Running Back in the NFL.

We're you ever a running back?

of course not. that's why I don't pretend to talk like I have any real understanding of how hard those things are to accomplish. I'm tired of listening to people who would run scared if they ever had to step between the lines on a Sunday afternoon (as I surely would!)

Than don't criticize my terminology.