Tomase on McFadden and Maroney

[SVN]

http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/football/patriots/view.bg?articleid=1049629

jjust needless controversy like he started when he caled the 72 fins in week 6. The boston media just wants to be miserable and takes pride in making it tough for the players. The opening lines about BB talking about "No 39" is so ESPN'ish with conspiracy theories. Who knows what bb said and meant ...? Here we are 12-0 and trying to win another SB and all people got to talk about mcfadden and maroney. bet if we pick mcfadden and he doesnt work out these idiots will blame pioli and BB for not scouting properly and if he does for not scouting maroney properly.

 

[MrBigglesWorth]

I'm not sold on McFadden. They question his toughness and his power in his legs. He seems like a Maroney type back with better vision and pass catching skills. I hope the Pats trade out of that spot and shaft the Jets so they don't get him.

 

[RussFrancis]

Its funny that he compared him to Bush, because it is appropriate. They both have small legs for an every down NFL RB. Bush is shorter, but his obvious lack of power is the clear result. Maybe we can get that knucklehead writer to fork all the duckies its going to take to bring in such a player.

 

[oldskool138]

If the Pats get the #2 pick, they will not use it. They will trade down and use it to get other picks. It's a salary cap thing. Why pay top dollar for an (NFL) untested rookie for the next 4-5 years? That kind of flies in the face of Pats philosophy...but who knows.

 

[VJCPatriot]

He was happy that the Patriots rallied for a 48-27 win, but disappointed that not everyone was healthy enough to play. The focus of his wrath reportedly was running back Laurence Maroney [stats], whom Belichick derisively referred to only as “No. 39,” admonishing him to toughen up and get on the field where his team needed him.

Wow, looks like I'm not the only one who has questioned Maroney's TOUGHNESS. Hmmmmmm. Looks like the thread I started was spot on!

 

[RussFrancis]

He was happy that the Patriots rallied for a 48-27 win, but disappointed that not everyone was healthy enough to play. The focus of his wrath reportedly was running back Laurence Maroney [stats], whom Belichick derisively referred to only as “No. 39,” admonishing him to toughen up and get on the field where his team needed him.

Wow, looks like I'm not the only one who has questioned Maroney's TOUGHNESS. Hmmmmmm. Looks like the thread I started was spot on!

Two tips:

1) dont expect anything coming out of the NE lockerroom in a private post game speech, or behind closed doors, to EVER be reported.

2) When you observe the word, "reportedly" in a piece, quietly laugh, finish the piece, and just move on. 'Reportedly' in the media world is normally the equivalent of 'fiction'.

 

[VJCPatriot]

Two tips:

1) dont expect anything coming out of the NE lockerroom in a private post game speech, or behind closed doors, to EVER be reported.

2) When you observe the word, "reportedly" in a piece, quietly laugh, finish the piece, and just move on. 'Reportedly' in the media world is normally the equivalent of 'fiction'.

If BB questioned Maroney's toughness, then any fan here has the right to question it. Regardless of your opinion on the media, which is understandably low.

 

[RussFrancis]

If BB questioned Maroney's toughness, then any fan here has the right to question it. Regardless of your opinion on the media, which is understandably low.

You have no idea what BB's opinion of Maroney actually is. And Ive lived long enough to know exactly how the media works. They stir. They stir. And they stir some more. Lets not kid ourselves. Maroney's being spared and limited right now for a stretch, playoff, HISTORICAL Superbowl run. Nothing more.

 

[oldskool138]

You have no idea what BB's opinion of Maroney actually is. And Ive lived long enough to know exactly how the media works. They stir. They stir. And they stir some more. Lets not kid ourselves. Maroney's being spared and limited right now for a stretch, playoff, HISTORICAL Superbowl run. Nothing more.

Name me one other team that's resting their running back for a run to the SB? The Cowboys? The Packers? Indy?

 

[VJCPatriot]

You have no idea what BB's opinion of Maroney actually is. And Ive lived long enough to know exactly how the media works. They stir. They stir. And they stir some more. Lets not kid ourselves. Maroney's being spared and limited right now for a stretch, playoff, HISTORICAL Superbowl run. Nothing more.

And you presume to know BB better than anyone else? Thank you oh mouthpiece of the prophet!

Meanwhile, I'll have to go off news reports like the normal people do.
Maroney's toughness has been questioned before.
This report just confirms what a lot of people have suspected.
And this isn't the only article that reports the Patriots have been less than pleased with Maroney.

 

[sieglo]

Reportedly, the New England Patriots are not pleased with Randy Moss' performance and he may be cut before the regular season begins.







E F F the Boston media. They do this every year before a big game to try to disrupt the Pats. Last year it was Samuel in the playoffs. This year it's Maroney. They all ought to be fired.

 

[Rob0729]

I am getting a little tired of all the McFadden talk already. I don't even know if we will finish with a high enough draft pick to get him.

Personally, I want to trade down and load up on defensive talent. Anyone watching the last two weeks, it seems pretty clear that our needs in the offseason and the future lie on the defensive side of the ball. Rodney, Bruschi, and Seau aren't going to play forever. Actually, I am pretty sure at least two of them aren't going to be playing past this year. We still have needs in the secondary and need to get this LB corp younger.

Reggie Bush was this must have guy that only comes along only once in a lifetime player, but it is starting to look like the Texans were smarter to take Mario Williams like they did. Will McFadden be the same as Bush as an overhyped draft prospect who ends up being good, but not special?

RB is the easiest position to fill on the team. We won two Super Bowls with Antowain Smith as our lead back. Two of the top five RBs this year were not drafted in the first round. Westbrook was drafted in the third round and Willie Parker wasn't drafted at all. Clinton Portis is sixth in rushing and he was drafted in the second round. Addai is seventh and he was the last pick of the first round and the fourth RB selected in last year's draft. I think drafting McFadden may be a wasted pick when you have the potential of drafting that stud CB, SS, or LB which are far harder to find.

I really don't want us to stay in the top 5 of the draft just because of the contract commitments to that player, but I think McFadden is a luxary we don't need. I wouldn't mind getting another RB to compliment Maroney and have a 1-2 punch like we had earlier in the season or the way the Cowboys have.

I think it is too soon to give up on Maroney. The guy showed that he can make big plays in the right position. McDaniels just has to figure out how to use him better. Maybe more screens and pitch outs to allow Maroney to not have to hit that hole up the middle which doesn't seem to be his forte.

 

[scout]

In the same article, the writer also talked about Chris Howie Long's as the #2. This was very intriguing. The head coach (Al Grorh) runs the Patriot's system and is a Belichick disciple. The scout in the article compares him to Vrabel (he also didn't like McFadden). He says he's the best Sr talent in the draft. Could slim down and play linebacker (6-4, 279).
This would give us a young, intelligent playmaker groomed from a BB coach that plays linebacker. What's not to like?

 

[Remix 6]

If BB questioned Maroney's toughness, then any fan here has the right to question it. Regardless of your opinion on the media, which is understandably low.

sure but also remember..Bill Parcels questioned every RB he had in their toughness..yes including Marion Barber. The biggest question was with Julius Jones

 

[RussFrancis]

Name me one other team that's resting their running back for a run to the SB? The Cowboys? The Packers? Indy?

Name me one other undefeated team in the NFL targeted by every other NFL team and media outlet that has lost one of their lead backs and is seeking a 4th title in 7 years that's also been accused of cheating and therefore obviously has more to prove than any other. Dallas? Have they lost Barber or Jones? Green Bay has no running game anyway, and Im not beginning to compare them to NE. Indy still has both of their lead backs, and has nowhere near the pressure does squarely on their backs. I dont know any more than any other fan on the face of the earth does about Belichick. Im just like the rest of you. I know nothing more than what appears to be common sense. Maroney will be the key to this team winning the Superbowl this year, imo. The change in weather is clearly limiting the O to a degree. Running the ball in the playoffs will be paramount. We dont have Maroney healthy for the playoffs. We're in trouble. It doesnt take a genius to figure that out.

 

[SVN]

am i missing something... We ran for 90 odd yards combined against the #2 run defense in the ravens with a higher ypc than they allow and yet these guys keep complaining about maroney and talking mcfadden..
So what if bb called maroney by "no 39" and unfortunate he couldnt go. Anyone following BB in last 7 yrs knows he is not going to risk players even with minor nicks early the season. Dallas game was our 6th game. We would be killing BB if he had played a 90 % healthy maroney and he had got hurt.
Just bad speculation IMO.

 

[VJCPatriot]

Maroney will be the key to this team winning the Superbowl this year, imo. The change in weather is clearly limiting the O to a degree. Running the ball in the playoffs will be paramount. We dont have Maroney healthy for the playoffs. We're in trouble. It doesnt take a genius to figure that out.

If that's the case, then we're in REAL trouble. I think Brady is the real key to the Patriots winning the Superbowl, but maybe that's just me.
I have very little confidence that Maroney can carry the Patriots O. He has only rushed for 70 yards ONE time in the last SEVEN games. Nevermind 100. You'd have to go back to game 3 of the season to find that.

 

[RayClay]

If BB questioned Maroney's toughness, then any fan here has the right to question it. Regardless of your opinion on the media, which is understandably low.

They're all a bunch of pansies, Maroney, Seymour Dillon.

I'm much tougher than your average NFL player.

 

[Deus Irae]

I see the clowns from the circus are at it again...

 

[RussFrancis]

If that's the case, then we're in REAL trouble. I think Brady is the real key to the Patriots winning the Superbowl, but maybe that's just me.
I have very little confidence that Maroney can carry the Patriots O. He has only rushed for 70 yards ONE time in the last SEVEN games. Nevermind 100. You'd have to go back to game 3 of the season to find that.

I feel bad that you have such little confidence. And I never said Maroney needed to 'carry' anything. But we all know what Brady is going to give us in the playoffs. But if you hadnt noticed, guys(WRs, TEs) tend to drop the ball just a tad more in cold weather. Maroney is the key because he's our lead back, whether you like it or not, and he needs to be on the field, healthy, and a bonafied running threat to keep defenses honest. Running 4 wides out of shotgun with no running threat isnt going to get it done in the playoffs. Not for 3 straight games against top level opponents, 2 of which will be played in cold weather. Maroney played the first 3 games, and ran well, and then he got dinged. So, he missed the next 3 games, the 6th of which was the Dallas game, when Morris went down. After that, the approach with Maroney changed. There was no need to throw him back out there and wear him out. I think that philosophy has been consistent. These guys know how to run the ball. Maroney knows how to run the ball. its been an intelligent CHOICE not overdo it. Again, Maroney's got to be healthy for the playoffs. Youve got to let that sink in, man.