Can you comment on Laurence Maroney a little bit? He has high expectations being a first-round pick and some people might look at Joseph Addai in Indianapolis – and his production – and think Maroney might be a little bit of a disappointment. Do you see it that way?
“I don’t see it that way. We have the same expectations for Laurence. I would say Laurence’s role is determined on a weekly basis, much the same way the rest of our skill players are. If it’s a game where he should carry it 25 times or more, or less, than that’s what it’s going to be. If it’s more of a passing game, a play-action game, then he may not touch the ball quite as many times in the running game. We kind of let that play out. …”
Have you seen enough from him that if you do get into a 25-carry game for him, that you feel confident he would be able to answer that?
“Yeah, I think Laurence has played well. Just like everybody, there are things all of our players could do better. But I think Laurence is playing well. I think maybe the amount of time he’s played in certain games may make it seem like it’s not the case. But it is. He’s being productive when he’s in there. He had the foot come up last week, and he should be fine now. That was a reason why maybe he didn’t get as many snaps in the Buffalo game. When he’s in there, we’re happy with him. He’s doing his job. He’s also doing a good job in pass protection, which is something that for a rookie back last year was a significant point of emphasis coming into this season. He’s really stepped it up in that aspect too.”
