More Maroney and Meriweather notes

[Fencer]

I just caught up with some Globe coverage, and I saw that only 1 of 24 running plays went for negative yardage (and it wasn't Maroney carrying). That's an improvement!

Meanwhile, besides Meriweather's well-publicized tackle whiff -- is it my imagination, or didn't he drop a gimme INT later on? (Not that Asante didn't drop a bunch of INTs has first few seasons ...)

 

[PatsfanGlo]

Yea, Merriweather had one int bounce off of his chest. I actually was rooting for him to make a play to redeem himself but I guess kid got bit too excited. Hope BB putting him out there means something.

 

[BelichickFan]

You are correct about Meriweather.

On Maroney, not only does Football Outsiders rank him 13th in the league (more like 11th among 50% or more workload backs) but he's ranked 3rd in the league in Success Rate.

Success rate is kind of complicated but is defined here :

http://www.footballoutsiders.com/ramblings.php?p=254&cat=11

"So with some changes to make up for different expectations at the end of the game, the formula ended up like this:

* In general, a play counts as a "hit" if it gains 40% of yards on first down, 60% of yards on second down, and 100% of yards on third down.
* If the team is behind by more than a touchdown in the fourth quarter, the benchmarks switch to 50%/65%/100%.
* If the team is ahead by any amount in the fourth quarter, the benchmarks switch to 30%/50%/100%."

 

[LurkingLinebacker]

is it my imagination, or didn't he drop a gimme INT later on? (Not that Asante didn't drop a bunch of INTs has first few seasons ...)

He sure did, looked like it hit him right off the numbers. Guess that's why hes a DBack and not a receiver.

I just remember thinking that a Baltimore receiver might have been able to make a play on the ball because it ricocheted off Meriweather's chest and towards the receiver.

That should have been a bunny interception.

 

[FrontSeven]

That should have been a bunny interception.

What do you use on Bunny Interceptions - the Holy Hand Grenade?

 

[PonyExpress]

Maroney never fumbles, a hugely important but underappreciated aspect of his game, is making obvious improvements in the passing game, as a blocker and receiver, is learning how to protect his body so as to avoid injury, stay on the field and help his team, and is running productively and consistently. He's only 22 and entering his physical prime. IMO he will only get better and the ceiling is high. When the year began BB asked Maroney to change his running style. He compared it to Tiger Woods retooling his swing. He anticipated a period of adjustment, but in the end felt Maroney and the team would come out better for it. I'm betting that BB is correct. The odds are in my favor.

 

[denverpatsfan]

The timing is perfect for LoMo to get more involved in the offense. Teams have seen the Pats passing game and are expecting it. They are not expecting an effective Pats running attack that features Maroney. They are also not expecting those dump off passes that went for 79 yards either. The more options for this offense the better they will play. Keep them guessing.