Maroney in the passing game

[BradyFTW!]

Well, one of the things that I think we all agreed on was that Maroney was used almost exclusively on running plays in the past (with the strangely notable exception of his rookie year), and that definitely tipped the Pats' hand a little when he was on the field. There are a couple of reasons why that could have been the case, but it was what it was.

Anyways, I'm going back through last night's game, and I've only gotten through the first few series, but one of a couple of things that's really jumping out at me is how creatively Maroney is being used in the passing game. I've already seen him split out wide several times, even outside Moss, and he's been put in the backfield with Faulk on a couple of plays, which gives us 2 receiving threats out of the backfield.

It seems pretty clear to me, based on last night's game, that Maroney has earned Belichick's trust in his ability to be a major contributor on passing downs, whether he's coming out of the backfield, staying in, or splitting out as a receiver. Hopefully this will continue to benefit him in the running game, as well.

Note: I'd rather not turn this into a debate about whether Maroney sucks or is any good. All that I've presented here is facts: Maroney was out there in passing plays in a variety of roles last night, and he performed somewhere between adequately and well in those capacities. I don't care if you think he dances or doesn't have vision or whatever else- there are plenty of other threads for that.

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

Maroney is made to be a back in the NFL that can run very short out routes where he can get in the open and use his speed and agility - Maroney is not and probably will never be a between the tackles runner unless our OL suddenly has 5 of the best in front of him.

Maroney should almost ALWAYS be used in this type of formation because its effective

 

[farn]

People have said this and that about Maroney... obviously BB likes him - otherwise he wouldn't see so much playing time. I also thought it was interesting that he was doing the "WR thing" so often. I always remember that crazy Cincy game when he ran wild and free... man if we ever saw that 10 times a year, it'd be gravy.

 

[Ian]

This is an interesting topic - so for those who respond after me please be constructive - and stay on task.

 

[mgteich]

There is no question in my mind of Maroney's value when he has the ball in space. He is a fine returner, a solid guy on a sweep or dump pass, and has a future a receiver. He also has at least adequate skills up the middle (Belichick seems to think so). I would like to see Maroney extended. He could be a 3rd down back for several years, as well as possibly be the #1 or #2 at times.

People have said this and that about Maroney... obviously BB likes him - otherwise he wouldn't see so much playing time. I also thought it was interesting that he was doing the "WR thing" so often. I always remember that crazy Cincy game when he ran wild and free... man if we ever saw that 10 times a year, it'd be gravy.

 

[farn]

There is no question in my mind of Maroney's value when he has the ball in space. He is a fine returner, a solid guy on a sweep or dump pass, and has a future a receiver. He also has at least adequate skills up the middle (Belichick seems to think so). I would like to see Maroney extended. He could be a 3rd down back for several years, as well as possibly be the #1 or #2 at times.

I do agree... I think the value might not be in WR, but rather as the threat of being a RB, then popping out at WR without warning (like last night). He IS good in space. Returner, yes.

Good times. Everyone loves Ben 'n Lawrence !

 

[mayoclinic]

There is no question in my mind of Maroney's value when he has the ball in space. He is a fine returner, a solid guy on a sweep or dump pass, and has a future a receiver. He also has at least adequate skills up the middle (Belichick seems to think so). I would like to see Maroney extended. He could be a 3rd down back for several years, as well as possibly be the #1 or #2 at times.

I pretty much agree with all of this. I think LoMo takes over from Kevin Faulk as our 3rd down back and receiver out of the backfield next year. I think he's a deadly option if we learn to get him the ball with some space to work. And I think that he's more than servicesable as a #2 RB if paired with a nice power back in the Corey Dillon mode. No reason not to extend him.

 

[patsfan-1982]

naroney is faulks replacement as the 3rd down back he is just like faulk

not a starting back but can do a lot of things

maroney is our best kickreturner

hes good in the passing game

and if the O line would block he can run the ball

 

[buile]

> I think LoMo takes over from Kevin Faulk as our 3rd down back and receiver out of the backfield next year.

One reason Maroney would ~not~ have been an effective replacement for Faulk is in reading/picking up blitzes; so, it was good to see him in there a couple times doing this: picking up a blitz if need be, and releasing out for a pass. He's much more versatile if he can solidify those skills.

 

[IcyPatriot]

Well ... it could work for a game or 2 and I don't doubt he's improved as a pass catcher because he said he was going to do it. How does this effect Galloway and Faulk though ... is there enough reps to go around?
I'd like to see Maroney criss crossing with Welker over the middle ... which one gets the safety and who gets the linebacker

I don't think he takes over for Faulk when his contract is over though ... Bill's not going to pay big money for a 3rd down back ... he could get a veteran on the cheap to do that.

 

[patsfan-1982]

Well ... it could work for a game or 2 and I don't doubt he's improved as a pass catcher because he said he was going to do it. How does this effect Galloway and Faulk though ... is there enough reps to go around?
I'd like to see Maroney criss crossing with Welker over the middle ... which one gets the safety and who gets the linebacker

I don't think he takes over for Faulk when his contract is over though ... Bill's not going to pay big money for a 3rd down back ... he could get a veteran on the cheap to do that.

i agree that the pats may not sing maroney back they just dont keep there young FA and they wont over pay for a 3rd down back

as far as there not being enough balls to go around

if brady keeps throwing the ball 40 to 50 times a game there will be

and watson will not get 6 balls and 77 yerds every game they will use faulk when the game is on the line and as far go's Galloway i dont see him haveing a big year i know hes fast but the why peopel where talking about him like he can out run moss

galloway faulk watson and maroney will all be a back note this year

only welker and moss will have big seasons

 

[5 Rings for Brady!!]

naroney is faulks replacement as the 3rd down back he is just like faulk

not a starting back but can do a lot of things

maroney is our best kickreturner

hes good in the passing game

and if the O line would block he can run the ball

Faulk had a few years as a devestating 3rd down weapon in the most critical and dire situations in big games and he always delivered. I can't remember him EVER not getting that first down when we needed it the absolute most. We did not use him much but he was money in the bank.

According to Reiss, Faulk was in for 42 plays last night and Maroney 23 plays total.

Faulk had 6 receptions for 51 yards and Maroney had 2 for 9 yards.

In the kicking game Faulk had 95 yards and Maroney 52 yards.

In the run game maroney had 32 yards on 10 attempts, Faulk had 7 yards on 3 attempts.

So Maroney produced 9 yards in the passing game so far this year.

Obviously it is great any time we can find a way to get him involved.

 

[BradyFTW!]

Well ... it could work for a game or 2 and I don't doubt he's improved as a pass catcher because he said he was going to do it. How does this effect Galloway and Faulk though ... is there enough reps to go around?
I'd like to see Maroney criss crossing with Welker over the middle ... which one gets the safety and who gets the linebacker

I don't think he takes over for Faulk when his contract is over though ... Bill's not going to pay big money for a 3rd down back ... he could get a veteran on the cheap to do that.

Maroney and Watson crossed over the middle a couple times last night for that effect. Expecting to a see a lot more of that, even though it wasn't too successful this time around (the 2 yard completion to Maroney where he immediately got nailed comes to mind).

As far as what the Pats will pay for a Kevin Faulk-type player, I think the answer is a lot, if necessary. Faulk has the 7th highest cap figure on the roster for a reason- he is an incredibly efficient and timely weapon. After Brady/Welker/Moss, he's the next most important player to the offense.

That said, I don't see Maroney moving into that role, personally. Faulk's size has always been a limiting factor in how much punishment he can take, and Belichick was smart enough not to ask him to be something that he couldn't be. Maroney, OTOH, has a solid 15-20 pounds on Faulk. I see Maroney's ultimate role in this offense being not quite like anyone that we've seen yet- I can see the parallels to Faulk, sure, but there are elements to Faulk's game that Maroney is unlikely to develop, and elements to Maroney's game that Faulk has just never had. I see Maroney in a less specialized role, although the Faulk parallels will definitely be there. Will that be worth enough to the Pats to extend Maroney? If he keeps playing like he did last night, then absolutely.