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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.
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.
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