Encouraging words from Maroney
 

In Reiss' Blog:

Maroney marches forward - Reiss' Pieces - Boston.com

No one around here like that, right? ;)

Re: Encouraging words from Maroney
 

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.

Re: Encouraging words from Maroney
 

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

Re: Encouraging words from Maroney
 

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

Re: Encouraging words from Maroney
 

I think your record player is stuck, hehe.

Re: Encouraging words from Maroney
 

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.

Re: Encouraging words from Maroney
 

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

Re: Encouraging words from Maroney
 

It's groundhog day!

Re: Encouraging words from Maroney
 

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.

Re: Encouraging words from Maroney
 

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.