As has been pointed out many times, Maroney is like many running backs. If you give him the ball 20 times a game, he does fine (over 4.5 yards per carry as I recall). What were Dillon's numbers?
Dillon's average numbers were comparable in his big seasons. As usual, statistics based on averages don't tell the whole story when it comes to running backs. Not knocking his average, and he was really a complete running back in the sanDiego 2007 game and others, also he's been injured.
The problem with averages are, they often don't tell the whole story.
For you statisticians out there, the median or the mode might be more indicative of successfully moving the chains than average yards.
IMO moving the chains is a more important aspect of a running game, because it is easier to pass for 15-20 yards than run, so what is the real benefit of a runner who occasionally breaks one but has difficulty in close quarters?
When you have a Brady and Moss? Relatively little, I'd say.
A hypothetical example. Let's take four downs.
Swifty has a 20 yard run in there, 3 times <1 yard. Pokie gets 3.5 yards each carry.
Swifty never makes the 20 yard run if it is the last in sequence. If it is third, he gets a first down and has a first and 9+. If it's second, he has a first down then 3rd and 8+.
If it's on first down he has a first down, then 3 runs for less than 3 yards, so he punts on 4th and 7+.
Pokie gets a first down on 3rd and 3, then gains 3.5 on first down to leave his team at 2nd and 6+.
Swifty averaged about 5.5 (between 5.75 and 5.25) a carry. Pokie, obviously averaged 3.5.
[By the way, if you want a real life pokie, check 4 time pro bowler Eddir George. Sanders is probably the most effective swifty, but college ball is full of them, because of the relative lack of QB WR talent.]
