I'm Hungry, Mr. Macaroney!

[BHSL2]

Come on, you know I mean Thomas Jones. And you know the point about that.

I would not take Thomas Jones over Maroney. Maybe as Maroney's back up I would, but not the starter.

If it's the team's philosophy to utilize Maroney the way they want, then so be it. I don't neccesarily believe in changing the whole blocking schemes for the kid, but I am truthfully surprised to not see the gameplan taking advantage of the faking et al. possibilities of Maroney.

 

[FrontSeven]

I'm with you man. I'm also frustrated to see for the second straight year McDaniels not calling plays designed around Maroney's strengths.

It's not the coaches' job to reinvent the offense; it's the kid's job to do what he's asked to do.

All those plays are already in the play book for Kevin. We don't need another third down specialist. If we drafted him in the first round to be a third down speecialst to take over for a guy that is better than him, then somebody is whacked.

 

[BHSL2]

All those plays are already in the play book for Kevin. We don't need another third down specialist. If we drafted him in the first round to be a third down specialst to take over for a guy that is better than him, then somebody is whacked.

That's not my point. I'm talking about creative ways to use the ability of your feature back. But whatever. I'm disappointed with the lack of produciton just like others, but I'm being real about it:

1) This is a pass heavy team. Look at the Eagles from a couple years back. They would put the ball in the air numerous time and Westbrook would average only 10-15 carries a game.

2) He is still young and learning.

This is why I have not outwardly called him a bust or a dud as other people have done.

 

[Lockdown06]

after the 2nd bills game, Belichick said in his press conference that he "loved Laurence Maroney" (i'm not paraphrasing.) You can personally dislike his running style, and thats fine, but the bottom line is the coaching staff is happy with what he's doing.

 

[FrontSeven]

I'm no Maroney apologist, more in the camp of I can't decide about his running ability yet. But, if you look at film of Adrian Peterson, rookie sensation for the Vikings, he also jukes some, faking defenders out of their jocks, then goes for big yardage. Barry Sanders certainly did that a lot. Not to compare Maroney to those guys, but I can't say he dances too much, at least not that I can tell yet. I have seen Marshawn Lynch quite a lot, still more at Cal than with Buffalo, and he can take it to tacklers, break away, while still being pretty fast. I don't think there's any question he was more "ready" for the NFL than Maroney. Will Maroney ever catch up with Lynch? Who knows, and now Lynch is hurt anyway. Quite an enigma, Mr. Maroney.

If Laurence could do what Peterson does or Sanders did then we wouldn't be having this perplexing conversation. The fact is that he's not that talented at that type of game.

If you ask me he's got the potential to be a great third down back, but we already have one. Now what? Now we need somebody in a role that this kid is not suited for, and we're turning to Heath and Kyle to pound it in the red zone.

Maybe they had this all figured out and that's why they brought in Sammy. When you think about it, we had a great 1-2 there with both of them healthy.

 

[Brady'sButtBoy]

Earlier this season LoMo himself mentioned that the team was working with him on his running "style," so maybe BB is concerned how LoMo runss the ball - or it was/is just part of the training BB puts all young players through, not a criticism but a refinement. Either way, Maroney doesn't look as natural as he did last year running the ball (though the two pass plays against the Ravens were much more like last year). Maroney seems to be thinking too much and not reacting, normal for a young player on a top team, especially with a coach like BB who, as I've said before, really seems to specialize in breaking down young players hard, then reconstructing them in his vision.

Maybe he hasn't dazzled but anyone who doesn't think LoMo hasn't been productive isn't watching the game or looking at the stats. And Maroney drops his shoulder and rocks people all the time. Don't believe me? just re-watch the games! If anything, when Maroney goes up the middle now he seems too ready to smash someone and not keep his head up and look for that secondary hole to open.

BTW, is there any way we can get rid of National Sports Advisors? It's one thing to be a dissident but thoughtless, reflexive, troll-like negativity stinks up the joint. Dude, take your tired act to the bathroom, get close to a mirror and just love yourself there day and night. You'll be happy and we won't have to tolerate your nonsense.

 

[BHSL2]

Earlier this season LoMo himself mentioned that the team was working with him on his running "style," so maybe BB is concerned how LoMo runss the ball - or it was/is just part of the training BB puts all young players through, not a criticism but a refinement. Either way, Maroney doesn't look as natural as he did last year running the ball (though the two pass plays against the Ravens were much more like last year). Maroney seems to be thinking too much and not reacting, normal for a young player on a top team, especially with a coach like BB who, as I've said before, really seems to specialize in breaking down young players hard, then reconstructing them in his vision.

Maybe he hasn't dazzled but anyone who doesn't think LoMo hasn't been productive isn't watching the game or looking at the stats. And Maroney drops his shoulder and rocks people all the time. Don't believe me? just re-watch the games! If anything, when Maroney goes up the middle now he seems too ready to smash someone and not keep his head up and look for that secondary hole to open.

BTW, is there any way we can get rid of National Sports Advisors? It's one thing to be a dissident but thoughtless, reflexive, troll-like negativity stinks up the joint. Dude, take your tired act to the bathroom, get close to a mirror and just love yourself there day and night. You'll be happy and we won't have to tolerate your nonsense.

Very good post. We really should watch the tapes more to see whats happening. Too bad I can't record the games anymore.

 

[FrontSeven]

That's not my point. I'm talking about creative ways to use the ability of your feature back. But whatever. I'm disappointed with the lack of produciton just like others, but I'm being real about it:

1) This is a pass heavy team. Look at the Eagles from a couple years back. They would put the ball in the air numerous time and Westbrook would average only 10-15 carries a game.

2) He is still young and learning.

This is why I have not outwardly called him a bust or a dud as other people have done.

Well, I'm all in favor of them utilizing him correctly, but my fear is that he's lacking the gumption to do what they really need him to do.

If he turned out to be a Westbrook I'd be overjoyed. If they throw in some more plays to bring out the Westbrook in him, I'm overjoyed. I think they have started to do that, and I hope to see more of it. But I have to go back to my fear that he can't do one thing that Westbrook can do. He can't pound it between the tackles. I know, I know, Westbrook isn't all about that either, but he can do it. He does it better than anything I've seen out of Laurence. Westbrook gets low, can drive hard, and by being low he avoids those horse collar and shoulder tackles. He's much more savvy between the tackles. I really fear that Laurence has a mental block that will prevent him from learning what Westbrook can do.

 

[Buchanty]

I like to put "Maroney can't run North-South" in the same bucket as "The Patriot's have no run game" and "the Pats Defense is old". All of these are myths or near myths that BB is quite happy for the media to believe. It is a slight of hand that may force the opposition, especially in the playoffs, to make a game planning mistake. - That's the optimistic side of me.

The pessimistic side of me suggests that Maroney doesnt always follow the play book according to the letter, and is trying to make a big play where there isnt one. When he is in the game, TB rarely uses the play fake, which would allow more room for the receivers and therefore he is not being as effective as he can be.

Being objective however the stats tell me that he is averaging 4.3 yards a game and that is more than respectable. Furthermore BB has his back, and has declared his confidence on the RB, when BB rarely singles out players. If he does so they always deserve it. Our running game is third in the league, and there is not much game film on Maroney despite that. In other threads I have stated that BB has plays in his cupboard that are waiting for the playoffs. I think and hope that Maroney is our secret weapon.

I understand the disappointment, I also have Maroney on my fantasy team, but please can we wait until the season is over before even debating whether he is a first string RB let alone a bust.

 

[Buchanty]

One other thing in Maroney's defense that I would like to add. I remember after Dillon retired that much was made about having to change the OL blocking schemes to adjust for Maroney's running style. In essence move to a zone blocking scheme. It is possible that the OL has been unable to make the necessary changes or know how to pick them up. Certainly it often appears like they are still blocking for Dillon, which is why Morris was more successful as he is closer to Dillon in running style.

 

[BHSL2]

Well, I'm all in favor of them utilizing him correctly, but my fear is that he's lacking the gumption to do what they really need him to do.

If he turned out to be a Westbrook I'd be overjoyed. If they throw in some more plays to bring out the Westbrook in him, I'm overjoyed. I think they have started to do that, and I hope to see more of it. But I have to go back to my fear that he can't do one thing that Westbrook can do. He can't pound it between the tackles. I know, I know, Westbrook isn't all about that either, but he can do it. He does it better than anything I've seen out of Laurence. Westbrook gets low, can drive hard, and by being low he avoids those horse collar and shoulder tackles. He's much more savvy between the tackles. I really fear that Laurence has a mental block that will prevent him from learning what Westbrook can do.

I understand completely. So far, we haven't seen him consistently pound for tough yards. Hopefully, he will learn with maturity.

 

[Ring 6]

Jones, Lynch, Brown, Maroney.


Lynch is averaging 3.8 yards per carry. He has 751 yards. so I guess that impresses someone. He has 78 more carries than Maroney, and averages 3.08 on those carries.
IT IS IGNORANT, AND THE SIGN OF AN AGENDA TO IGNORE WHAT MARONEY DOES ON THE CARRIES HE GETS, AND BLAME HIM FOR THE # OF CARRIES HE IS GETTING.
BB HAS CHOSEN HOW TO RUN THIS OFFENSE, AND THIS OFFENSE IS THE HIGHEST SCORING IN NFL HISTORY.
Thomas Jones is averaging 3.6 yards per carry. That is amazing 2.7 per carry over and above Maroney's #s. Thomas Jones has been widely described as a disappointment on the 3-9 Jets, who may have the worst offense in the NFL. Sure, I see a lot of great things going on there that would justify using this stiff toi criticize the starting RB on our 12-0 team.
Ronnie Brown in his first 3 years in the NFL will play 35 games and run for 2517. One of the points of whining about Maroney is injuries, including assuming and pretneding that he took himself out of a game we were blowing out the other team, with no reason to think so other than to self-perpuate an opinion.
Are we saying Jones and Lynch are better because they get more carries, but Brown is better because even though he is more injury prone, he does more with the limited carries he gets? I spot a conflict.

Ronnie Brown (2nd pick in the draft) was no better than Maroney at the exact same stage. This year he was putting up good numbers but coudnt make it through half the season. I've also never put much stock in numbers built up while losing games. In any argument. Never have, never will.
Jones was medicore at his peak.
Lynch and Maroney at this point are in a similar grouping because they are young first round picks. Lynch has been given more carries, because of the Bills gameplanning (I wouldnt throw much with their QBs either) but its ludicrous to say the result of those carries are better than Maroneys.

Again I ask, what has Maroney not done that he has been asked to?

Its almost becoming a smear campaign. We blow out the Bills, and BB gives Maroney the second half off, and that somehow creates criticism about Maroneys toughness? Bizzare. We are 12-0 running an offense that has given him about 15 rushes per game (the games he played) and is the best offense in the NFL, yet somehow, that is a criticism of Maroney because he only has 511 yards in those 8 games. Now, people who dont understand the game, have decided that since I don't like Maroney, I am going ot ceriticize his running style. There is absolutely no doubt that Maroneys style is to run to daylight rather than a prescribed hole. I remember volumes of posts on this board about the poor run blocking schemes of the Pats, about the shift to zone run blocking, etc. We now have that scheme, and everyone is complaining that the RB is running PROPERLY within it. But to top it off, WE HAVE PEOPLE HERE MAKING THE MORONIC CLAIM THAT MARONEY IS NOT DOING WHAT HE IS COACHED TO DO. That kind of posted really plsses me off, because by saying you imply you KNOW something, but in fact are making it up. There are many readers on this board, some who do not see through what 'facts' are manufactured.
Hey, if you don't like Maroney, OK, but it is irresponsible in order to vent your dislike or make a point to totally, entirely make something up, that will probably turn into a rumor.

If we are Patriot fans, and want the Patriots to win, why would we start a rumor (with absolutely no basis) saying that Maroney refuses to do what he is coached to do, have it spread as a rumor and then have it with the media and now our #1 RB on our undefeated team will be distracted by that accusation. Who knows if there is even a small likelihood of going that far (but I suspect PFW whispers are comments from fan boards) by whay are gaining by lying to begin with.

 

[FrontSeven]

Maybe he hasn't dazzled but anyone who doesn't think LoMo hasn't been productive isn't watching the game or looking at the stats. And Maroney drops his shoulder and rocks people all the time. Don't believe me? just re-watch the games! If anything, when Maroney goes up the middle now he seems too ready to smash someone and not keep his head up and look for that secondary hole to open.

I would love to share this perception that he lowers his shoulder and rocks tacklers. OK, maybe I'm missing something. I will suspend my beliefs for the Steelers game.

But I didn't miss the diapers. I didn't miss him standing around in Buffalo as other guys pounded it. I didn't miss the curious disagreement between him and the coach about the "injury" that night. I didn't miss the talk about his style that has gone on since he got here. I didn't miss my own surprise that Sammy was either more consistent, tougher, or something, I don't know what, but I found myself wanting to see him get more carries.

And you know what else I didn't miss? Corey's 13 TDs last year. OK, OK, we had a different offense last year. But dude, 13 TDs and you know they were all made "the old fashioned way".

I want to believe what you said. I want to see it against the Steelers too. I am suspending my beliefs that he cannot pound it very effectively. I want to see him come in at the red zone instead of Heath Freaking Evans, a guy I love, but not to be confused with a first rounder.

BTW, is there any way we can get rid of National Sports Advisors? It's one thing to be a dissident but thoughtless, reflexive, troll-like negativity stinks up the joint. Dude, take your tired act to the bathroom, get close to a mirror and just love yourself there day and night. You'll be happy and we won't have to tolerate your nonsense.

Why would you want to get rid of somebody who has as much passion for this team as you? That's absurd. Just because he has a different opinion and isn't afraid to put it out there? Hey, I don't agree with everything he says, but agreeing with everything somebody says isn't the point of a message board. If we want to all agree then that is like religion isn't it? I mean even in religion you get disagreement, and sometimes fundamental disagreement.

This is America. This is a First Ammendment zone. Why are we trying to turn this board into the Soviet Union and get rid of "dissident" voices? For one thing, NSA may be right. What are you going to say then?

Free Solzenisthen! Hehe, bad spelling.

I'll bet that if this board existed in 1985 NSA would have been the first one to say that Tony Eason didn't have the gumption to play ball. And where would the rest of us PatriBotics have stood - with NSA or against him?

 

[Ring 6]

One other thing in Maroney's defense that I would like to add. I remember after Dillon retired that much was made about having to change the OL blocking schemes to adjust for Maroney's running style. In essence move to a zone blocking scheme. It is possible that the OL has been unable to make the necessary changes or know how to pick them up. Certainly it often appears like they are still blocking for Dillon, which is why Morris was more successful as he is closer to Dillon in running style.

This is what I hate. Some bozo posts a Maroney disaster thread, and now there are posts 'defending the disater'.
THERE IS NO DISASTER.
The only disaster here is that we have short-sighted posters, who think every #1 pick should be in the HOF by their 12th game, so they are reaching for reasons to criticize Maroney.
These posts like 'show me a play.........' are so moronic, they shouldnt be answered to. Maroney runs hard. I see him consistently lower his shoulder. Maroney also is running with his eyes upfield, and his style (WHICH THE COACHING STAFF ENDORSES) is to run to daylight and break the play out of its intended holes when he sees it.
So here is what happens. "Mr Power Runner" gets the ball, and the hole is filled. He puts his head down and rams the pile no gain. Must be bad blocking.
Maroney gets the ball, and the hole is filled. He cuts back to where he sees daylight, but that hole closes too. No gain. Maroney dances and doesnt run with authority. See how ridiculous this is?

There is no problem here. Blocking scheme isnt a problem, blocking isnt a problem, Maroney isnt a problem, his backups arent a problem. We dont have a problem. WE HAVE THE BEST OFFENSE IN NFL HISTORY.
The only problem is that there are people who want to see a RB get the ball 25 times a game. That is not our offense, we have Tom Brady. If that were our offense, Maroney would be getting those carries. Apparently 40 points a game and 12-0 just isnt enough for some people.


By the way, before you make an all-encompassing statement that we did better with Morris, deduct his one 49 yard run from the numbers, and you will come up with we have done better with Maroney, except for 1 play. Dont forget to factor in that half of Morris' carries came against Cleveland and cincy, maybe the 2 worst defenses weve played.

 

[Ring 6]

I would love to share this perception that he lowers his shoulder and rocks tacklers. OK, maybe I'm missing something. I will suspend my beliefs for the Steelers game.

But I didn't miss the diapers. I didn't miss him standing around in Buffalo as other guys pounded it. I didn't miss the curious disagreement between him and the coach about the "injury" that night. I didn't miss the talk about his style that has gone on since he got here. I didn't miss my own surprise that Sammy was either more consistent, tougher, or something, I don't know what, but I found myself wanting to see him get more carries.

And you know what else I didn't miss? Corey's 13 TDs last year. OK, OK, we had a different offense last year. But dude, 13 TDs and you know they were all made "the old fashioned way".

I want to believe what you said. I want to see it against the Steelers too. I am suspending my beliefs that he cannot pound it very effectively. I want to see him come in at the red zone instead of Heath Freaking Evans, a guy I love, but not to be confused with a first rounder.



Why would you want to get rid of somebody who has as much passion for this team as you? That's absurd. Just because he has a different opinion and isn't afraid to put it out there? Hey, I don't agree with everything he says, but agreeing with everything somebody says isn't the point of a message board. If we want to all agree then that is like religion isn't it? I mean even in religion you get disagreement, and sometimes fundamental disagreement.

This is America. This is a First Ammendment zone. Why are we trying to turn this board into the Soviet Union and get rid of "dissident" voices? For one thing, NSA may be right. What are you going to say then?

Free Solzenisthen! Hehe, bad spelling.

I'll bet that if this board existed in 1985 NSA would have been the first one to say that Tony Eason didn't have the gumption to play ball. And where would the rest of us PatriBotics have stood - with NSA or against him?

NSA is not passionate for his team.
He is a guy who wants to argue, and insult. So on a 12-0 team, he finds something that he can create controversy about by criticizing Patriot players. If he were just a 'passionate' fan, who was pessimistic, he would post his concern, and argue them. He does not do that, he insults the player as he posts his concerns, thereby invoking emotional responses, then insults the posters who respond.

Maybe he would have criticized Eason, but that would just have been because he was criticizing everyone. There is no doubt in my mind that in 2001, NSA was arguing how Brady sucked and could never get the job done, and we had no hope.
Its not insight, its pattern. Gaining attention by slamming any target. What you will find is he slams many players, but then focusses most of his posts on the ones that A) get heated response, and B) he gets an allie to agree with him.

No he shouldnt be banned, but lets take it for what it is, and it is an annoyance. Not because of his opinions, but because of his methods.

 

[FrontSeven]

Jones, Lynch, Brown, Maroney.

Yep, and they all play on crappy teams.

So after you put aside the meaningless stats, who would you have drafted with your first round pick with those four as the choice? I would have taken any of the three. Why? Because I need an all purpose back that will do different things. That's who I want. I already have a great third down back, so thanks, I don't need another one. I want a young Corey Dillon if I can find one, and that's how I spend my first round pick. How do you spend yours?

Again I ask, what has Maroney not done that he has been asked to?

How would anybody be able to answer that authoritatively given the wall of silence in Foxboro?

Its almost becoming a smear campaign. We blow out the Bills, and BB gives Maroney the second half off, and that somehow creates criticism about Maroneys toughness? Bizzare.

So in your world he got the second off. Nice - a vacation for our feature back. Yep, they're saving him again.

In my world I heard the curious disagreement between Laurence and Bill about why he stood on the sideline.

And in my world you pound with your feature back, not third string guys.

But gee, maybe in your world you have to "save" your feature back? For what, may I ask? Did they save him against the Ravens in the red zone? Yep, saved again. Given the vacation while Heath came in to run plays that Laurence can't run. Nice. First round pick rides the bench while Heath Evans plays Sammy Dillon, the role that Laurence doesn't seem able to learn.

Good, keep playing the vacation card. That goes a long way in the NFL.

If we are Patriot fans, and want the Patriots to win, why would we start a rumor (with absolutely no basis) saying that Maroney refuses to do what he is coached to do,

We are Patriots fans, not PatrioBotics fans. If we sniff something wrong, like diapers in the locker, and differing stories between the player and the coach, and see Heath Evans taking over in the red zone, I'm sorry, we're not buying the PatriotBotics arguments. Red Zone vacations for the first round feature back? When they absolutely need a win? Are you mad?

Your problem is that you either don't know about the diapers, don't know about the disagreement with the coach, don't read the defensive statements about "running style", or you simply don't want to know.

Well, know this: If they continue to run Heath in the red zone then you are just pushing gas. Laurence is a first round pick. Do the math.

 

[Ring 6]

It's not the coaches' job to reinvent the offense; it's the kid's job to do what he's asked to do.

All those plays are already in the play book for Kevin. We don't need another third down specialist. If we drafted him in the first round to be a third down speecialst to take over for a guy that is better than him, then somebody is whacked.

He is doing EXACTLY WHAT IS ASKED.
If its not the coaches job to reinvent the playbook, why is it the players fault that the coaches are calling an offense that focusses on putting th eball in Tom Bradys hands, and gives the RB fewer opportunities?
Maroney has done well with the opportunities he has had. He has played in 8 full games, and gained 511 yard, with a 4.3 average. Unfortunately he missed 3 games due to an injury, and unfortunately for his stats, the Pats took him out of the second half of 2 blowouts.

Here is the question. Lets take the injuries, and the fact that he plays less than any other RB because we have games put away earlier than any other team, and put those aside for a second.
Based on the way the Pats have called their offense, when Maroney is in the game, over a full 16 game schedule, it would add up to:

Maroney rushing for 1022 yards and a 4.3 average
Brady throwing for 5000 yards, and 55 TDs
The offense scoring 626 points, shattering the all-time record.

Now, if the Patriots chose to keep Maroney in the game in blowouts, he would have about 20% more carries.
Do we think Maroney is a DIFFERENT PLAYER if he hadn't missed 3 games, and the coaches decided that they wanted to play him in blowouts, and he is running for 1200 yards while Brady breaks records?


This is the stupid part of this Maroney issue. People are unhappy for some reason that while we destroy the Bills, Maroney doesn't get 30 carries, or when we gameplan against the Eagles to pass, he gets 6 carries. THOSE THINGS HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH HIM. So people sit there, apparently saying, I wish I could see Maroney running for 150 yards, ignore why that isn't happening, then go backward and create problems with the player.

Until we stop being the best offense in NFL history, I am not going to criticize the coaching staff for its offensive gameplans, which is exactly what everyone criticizing Maroney is doing.

 

[FrontSeven]

NSA is not passionate for his team.
He is a guy who wants to argue, and insult. So on a 12-0 team, he finds something that he can create controversy about by criticizing Patriot players. If he were just a 'passionate' fan, who was pessimistic, he would post his concern, and argue them. He does not do that, he insults the player as he posts his concerns, thereby invoking emotional responses, then insults the posters who respond.

If I'm not mistaken (and I could be) I do believe that NSA has said things, a lot of things, that indicate that he's a fan. In fact, unless I'm confusing him with somebody else he has started posts by saying, "I hope I'm wrong, I love the guy but ...."

Somehow I can't imagine a Jets fan starting a thread that way even if it would be a great scam. I don't sense that he's a scammer.

Maybe he would have criticized Eason, but that would just have been because he was criticizing everyone. There is no doubt in my mind that in 2001, NSA was arguing how Brady sucked and could never get the job done, and we had no hope.

Really? I mean on the Brady thing? At that point in the team's destiny path I would assume that many fans were anti-Bledsoe even before the injury, and I would have guessed that way for NSA.

Its not insight, its pattern. Gaining attention by slamming any target. What you will find is he slams many players, but then focusses most of his posts on the ones that A) get heated response, and B) he gets an allie to agree with him. .

I am unaware of what other players he has slammed. I can't really say that many need slamming around here. I could see maybe Hobbs, or Geno, maybe even Richard, since he seems to not be so dominant as before, but he has the knee in my opinion. But that's all fair game, no?

And Geno, BTW, is riding the pine with no injury. That is an interesting case. That is exactly the type of thing that draws the attention of people who read between the lines.

 

[DaBruinz]

***** The meal I would enjoy most can only be provided by the Patriots "feature RB". I desperately want him to make me eat the words I'm about to write!

***** Here's a note from Reiss' Blog, with an "open letter" from me to Mr. "Macaroney" to follow:

Maroney on running style
FOXBOROUGH -- Patriots running back Laurence Maroney drew a crowd in the locker room today at Gillette Stadium. Once again, his running style was a topic of conversation.
The question of whether Maroney dances too much behind the line of scrimmage – and doesn’t enter the hole with authority – seems to have struck a nerve with him. When told that some critics believe Maroney hesitates too much, he asked: “How many of those people have actually played running back?”
“It’s like me trying to critique you all about how to ask questions or how to do an interview,” Maroney continued. “You aren’t really going to listen to it, because I’ve never did it before. Just like I’m not really going to pay attention to what someone says about running north-south because you never know what I see out there or what is happening – like if a guy is coming free in the hole, what do you want me to do? I’m trying to make plays, trying to make it happen, so it might look like I’m dancing, but I’m really trying to make something happen.
“So I’m not going to get into that, go back and forth, that I’m running north-south, that I’m running laterally. I’m just out there to make plays and that’s what I try to do.”
***** Well, I'll tell ya what, Mr. Macaroney, MAKE A FEW PLAYS running the ball from behind the LOS, and maybe you won't have to "get into that"!

Maroney has made some plays. Someone mentioned that he actually had one of the highest success rates at gaining 1st downs in the league.

***** Let's review, shall we? You have carried the ball 118 times for 511 yards (4.3 YPC). Your LONGEST run in those 118 carries was for 19 yards! You have scored a total of 2 TDs in those 118 carries! Just how many of those carries would you classify as "making a play"?!

Obviously you are NSA's idiot brother.
Lets review a few things you've skipped.
1) Maroney is just 22. He's got 2 years less experience than Joseph Addai.
2) The O-line still isn't great in using the zone blocking.
3) Against the Steelers, ALL of Maroney's carries were for positive yardage. Since you love stats, the Steelers are the BEST run defense in the league.
4) The Pats use a multi-back system with defined roles within the game plan. Maroney - 1st/2nd down back. Faulk - Pass catching RB. Morris - All-purpose back, including short-yardage. Evans has since picked up the short yardage stuff, though Maroney has taken in his 2 as well.

***** Just how would you define those 118 carries in comparison to the performances of "journeyman backup", Sammy Morris; who, before his injury, had 85 carries for 354 yards (4.5 YPC), with a long of 49 yards, and 3 TDs?! He actually HAS played running back! His "style" is go where the play is designed to go, and, if there's no hole immediately apparent, to MAKE ONE, by putting his shoulder down, driving forward with his legs, and HITTING SOMEBODY!

Obvioulsy you are clueless and don't understand that Sammy Morris and Laurence Maroney are 2 different styles of running back. Maroney is NOT a power back. He never has been. He has run with power, but that doesn't make him a power back in the mold of Corey Dillon.

***** Hell, Kevin Faulk has a better YPC (4.4) than you do. He's 9 years older, 3" shorter, and 18 pounds lighter than you, Mr. Macaroney; and who do the Patriots turn to for a critical 3rd down run, as they did in last week's game against the Ravens? It's Kevin Faulk. And how does he run that play? He makes one quick cut, drops his shoulder, and drives straight ahead for, guess what, a FIRST DOWN!

*ROFLMOA* WOW. You are an idiot. Faulk has 9 years experience and is one of the best (if not the best) 3rd down back in the league. Of course he's going to be out there on a critical 3rd down moron. He's got the experience.

***** That, Mr. Macaroney, is how to play RB in the NFL, particularly on this team. Oh, do you wonder about that name I've chosen for you? Well, I consider it a name which accurately describes YOUR running style - that of a wet noodle! I, for one, am tired of it. And I'm tired of you stubbornly, and ignorantly, refusing to accept the coaching, yes, and even the external criticism, that has repeatedly pointed out to you that "what you see out there" isn't what should determine your next move. The design of the play is what should determine that next move.

***** I've never played RB, Mr. Macaroney. But I've been watching people play it in the NFL for over 50 years. In all that time, in all those hundreds, perhaps even thousands of games, I've seen only ONE successful RB who consistently ran with "dancing" and "lateral movement", rarely going "north-south" from behind the LOS. That was Barry Sanders. And, if you'll read a bit, or watch a few old NFL films, I will bet that you'll discover that he never went for 118 consecutive carries with a "long run" of 19 yards. And, while I don't have such stats at my disposal, I suspect that he never went for 118 consecutive carries with less than 3 TDs!

The fact that you've never been a RB is proof positive you are clueless as to what you are talking about.

Barry Sanders played in an offense that relied on a single RB. So, you're right, he probably never went 118 consecutive carries without a TD. Its pretty idiotic to compare Maroney to Sanders when they weren't even close to being in a similar system.

***** So DROP your arrogant retorts to the press, Mr. Macaroney. You are not even close to having the production in your record to justify such an attitude. You are, to this point in your career, a TOTAL BUST as a Round 1 pick. If it were up to me, I would have signed Corey Dillon weeks ago, and given him time to work himself into shape for Playoffs. Then I'd bench your sorry ass for the playoffs, and put in a pro, who knows how to drive for a few extra yards when needed to make a 1st Down, or a TD!

Who the hell are you, with your IDIOCY to claim that Maroney is a bust? Maybe you should STFU, learn something about the game other than sitting on your lazy fat arse and thinking you know a damn thing about the game.

The fact that you would bench Maroney shows how dumb you really are. The fact that you compare him to guys with 8 and 9 years experience as if they were EQUALS shows how you truly don't deal with the facts.

***** OK, Mr. Macaroney. I'm still hungry. Come on, make me eat my words! I am, above all else, a Patriots fan. As long as you wear that uniform, I want nothing but the utmost success for you. I am convinced that you will not achieve any significant level of success on this team by "trying to make something happen" your way. By now, it should be as evident to you as it is to me, and thousands of other observers, some of whom probably HAVE "actually played RB", that either what you think you see is wrong, or you simply don't have the moves required at this level to get to the places you think you need to get to in order to "make a play".

You aren't a Pats fan. You are a friggin troll who's got nothing better to do than to rip a kid who isn't meeting your uneducated and unrealistic expectations.

SMARTEN UP!

Maroney is already smarter than you.

GROW UP!

Maroney is 22. Why don't you STFU and grow up yourself.

DROP THE ATTITUDE!

Maroney is allowed to have the attitude. In fact, its hilarious that schmucks like you think you have a damn clue and can read into his ATTITUDE as if you've known him his whole life.

STOP PLAYING "MARONEY" FOOTBALL, AND START PLAYING PATRIOTS FOOTBALL!

How do you know he's not playing Patriots football? How do you know he's not doing exactly what Belichick has told him to do? You don't.

 

[Ring 6]

Yep, and they all play on crappy teams.

So after you put aside the meaningless stats, who would you have drafted with your first round pick with those four as the choice? I would have taken any of the three. Why? Because I need an all purpose back that will do different things. That's who I want. I already have a great third down back, so thanks, I don't need another one. I want a young Corey Dillon if I can find one, and that's how I spend my first round pick. How do you spend yours?






How would anybody be able to answer that authoritatively given the wall of silence in Foxboro?




So in your world he got the second off. Nice - a vacation for our feature back. Yep, they're saving him again.

In my world I heard the curious disagreement between Laurence and Bill about why he stood on the sideline.

And in my world you pound with your feature back, not third string guys.

But gee, maybe in your world you have to "save" your feature back? For what, may I ask? Did they save him against the Ravens in the red zone? Yep, saved again. Given the vacation while Heath came in to run plays that Laurence can't run. Nice. First round pick rides the bench while Heath Evans plays Sammy Dillon, the role that Laurence doesn't seem able to learn.

Good, keep playing the vacation card. That goes a long way in the NFL.



We are Patriots fans, not PatrioBotics fans. If we sniff something wrong, like diapers in the locker, and differing stories between the player and the coach, and see Heath Evans taking over in the red zone, I'm sorry, we're not buying the PatriotBotics arguments. Red Zone vacations for the first round feature back? When they absolutely need a win? Are you mad?

Your problem is that you either don't know about the diapers, don't know about the disagreement with the coach, don't read the defensive statements about "running style", or you simply don't want to know.

Well, know this: If they continue to run Heath in the red zone then you are just pushing gas. Laurence is a first round pick. Do the math.

I cannot imagine a more ignorant post.
OK, we have:
1) There is somethng wrong with Maroney because AHEAD BY 40 the coach decided to allo9w the backups to run out the clock. It would be the height of stupidity being ahead by 40, and then running what maybe 25 more run plays, to have your #1 back take those hits, for absolutely no reason, when, by the way, your #2 was injured earlier in the game and you probably dont know the severity. Just to make sure I understand. You see a reason to keep Maroney in the game for meaningless carries? You would rather have Maroeny take those hits than Kyle Eckel?
2) since SOMEONE reported an injury and Maroney said no, he was fine, there is some kind of a conspiracy, that you add up to meaning that it was important to the team that Maroney played when we were winnning by 40, and the reason he didnt was apparently because BB thought he couldn't 'trust' Maroney with a 40 point lead. If that were the case, why are those backups pounding the ball in close games?
3) There was a practical joke played on Maroney, but somehow it has vast meaning.
4) The Patriot offense decides to use JUMBO packages in short yardage. they use Vrabel as a TE, they have used Seau, Seymour, Bryan Cox, etc as FB in short yardage over the years. MANY teams that have a player who is in between a battering FB, and a RB (Evans came into the league as a single back RB) choose to use that JUMBO formation in short yardage. But, wait, we cannot do anything out of the ordinary because Maroney is a FIRST ROUND PICK. Yes, coaches always make decisions about who to play in situation by what round they were picked in. Lets just give you this one. Lets assume Maroney's best skill isnt 4th and 1. So? Does that mena Tiki Barber was a failure when Jacobs came in on short yardage? Was Barry sanders a failure because he rarely got the ball in short yardage?
I could give a crap whether my #1 back is the guy who takes in the final 1 yard.

As far as the 4 RBs I don't know what 'taking aside the meaningless stats' means. Those are the PERFORMANCE of those players.
You seem to think those guys are 'complete backs' and Maroney isn't.
I've got news for you, replace Maroney with any of those 3, and Kevin Faulk gets exactly as much playing time as he is currently getting (still averages his heavy 4 carry workload) and those guys, (adjusting for whether they played all the games or missed a few) would have just as many carries as Maroney.

And I can GUARANTEE YOU that ahead of the Bills by 40, Jones, Brown, or Lynch would have been on the sidelines in the second half.