"As usual?" never mind. Had a nasty paragraph that addressed the two-headed-Maroney-hater. You weren't particularly nasty about your view and I don't see any reason we should start now. I thought we'd actually been rather civil, but I could go uncivil if you want. I just don't see the point.
Now then. Kevan Barlow had a decent year, followed by a bad year, and then a slide into oblivion. He did, in fact, have a nice YPC. We won't even discuss the possibility that the 9ers team as a whole was in decline. It's not worth it, and it's indirect. Instead, let's have a look at the backs I can find in 2006, with a quick trot through the stats for 4.3 YPC or better, 175 carries or better, 10 TDs or fewer (the main complaint about Maroney, as I see it).
2006
Frank Gore (8)
Tiki Barber (5)
Travis Henry (7)
Brian Westbrook (7)
Tatum Bell (2)
Fred Taylor (5)
Ladell Betts (4)
Deuce MacAllister (10)
Joseph Addai (7)
actually only 166 carries, but close
I don't see the need to go back to 2005, let alone 2003.
So this is our world of guys who carried half or more of the load in 2006 (no 135 carry guys), who have a 4.3 and better average, and who have 10 or fewer TDs (in range of Maroney.) You might note that Addai especially stands out in closeness to Maroney's TD total. Westbrook, Henry, Gore, and Fred Taylor were also close. Is your argument that any of these individuals should be fired to make room for McFadden? Are they all flashes in the pan? Are they, in fact, Kevan Barlow? And the comical part of your Addai binky is that he primarily distinguishes himself vis a vis Maroney in, you guessed it, America -- survey says, YARDS PER CARRY! (He came in at 4.8).
Just watching Maroney run, I agree you can make a non-statistical "anecdotal" case that his style is hesitant at times. But I ask again, how does that translate to a decent 4.3 average per carry?
I also want to point out that 4.3 isn't sky-high. It's good, not great.
But your argument from a single example, picked for obvious reasons from four years ago, seems pretty selective, when there are so many cases of individuals who do not seem damned to oblivion.
Tell me who on this 2006 list, with 175+ carries, and a 4.3 average, should be ditched.
http://www.nfl.com/stats/categoryst...egory=RUNNING_BACK&season=2006&seasonType=REG
Oh wait. Does this only apply to Pats' running backs named Maroney?
You'll also note that the "greats" tend to run 300-400 times in a season, to compile those "memorable" numbers, and to have more "memorable" games, moments, and runs. Well tough titties. The N.E. approach was to run a platoon, which, in a 16-game season, might not be a bad approach. Have a look at 400 carry backs the following year (Larry Johnson anybody?)
BB continued the platoon approach. But you can't platoon with Kevin Faulk, who you cited as a much higher YPC guy - use him for 150 carries, and he drops to 3.5 or 3.6 YPC, and those numbers are unacceptable (as we learned in 2000 and 2003).
What Maroney gives you is that steady presence, if you choose to use it, and flashes of a higher level, which still remains possible. As is, he brings you something you don't have elsewhere on the team.
Right now, he works in a platoon. If the Pats continue with that model, there's no reason to move on to another back. If the Pats move back into a 1st and 2nd down guy, and a 3rd down guy (as with Dillon/Faulk c2004,) Maroney is the 2-down guy. I don't think the Pats ever go so far as to ride him like the bolts ride Lady Tom, for example.
Do I need to go back through 2004 and 2005 before I find a "failed" back with a 4.3 or better average, and 175+ carries, back in 2003? Is that the exercise you went through?
Or did it just leap to mind immediately? In either case, I'd be curious to hear who on the above list you'd fire. I guess you could fire Tatum Bell pretty easily, who also compiled an underwhelming 2 TDs. Ladell Betts? Maybe, but only if you have Portis too. Barber? Retired. Otherwise, it looks like pretty solid company.
PFnV
