Cartilidge, as mentioned earlier. Maroney's stats for 2006... I'll just do opponent, rushing yards, TDs, and Yards Per Carry (although this understates the importance of return yardage, which was at least equal to RB duties for him.)
9/10 Buf 86y 0TD 5.1
9/17 @NY 65y 1TD 4.1
9/24 Den 18y 0TD 1.5
10/1 @Cin 125y 2TD 8.3
10/8 Miami 38y 0TD 2.1
10/22 @Buff 29Y 0TD 3.6
10/30 @Minn 34Y 0TD 4.3
11/05 Indy 63Y 0TD 4.8
11/12 NY 37Y 0TD 3.1
11/19 @GB 82Y 0TD 4.3
11/26 Chi 33Y 1TD 2.5
12/03 Det 14Y 0TD 3.5
12/10 @Mia
12/17 Hou
12/24 @Jax 48Y 1TD 6.9
12/31 @TN 73Y 1TD 5.6
Totals: 745Y 6TD 4.3YPC average
Also, 1 receiving TD (it was against GB); 194 Re. yards; 8.8 yards per catch.
Oddly enough, for all the talk about the "rookie wall," he had plenty of stinkers sprinkled in from the beginning.
PFnV
Yeah, you're right. And, we really can't overlook return yards or runs after catches, but the numbers you provide are very interesting.
I used your data and broke Maroney's season into two segments: 10 games up to and including the GB game and six games from the Chicago game on (including two that he sat out).
There are lies, d*$n lies and statistics, but these statistics suggest that Maroney had a lot fewer touches at the end of the season, but still contributed significantly, esp with that TD in the CHI game. He was being used sparingly, probably because of the cartilage injury (or as BB put it, getting the wind knocked out of him), but he made important contributions.
Here's how the stats compare, using your methodology.
Entire Season:
Total Yards: 745
Avg. Yards per Carry: 4.3
Total TD's:6
Avg. Yards per Game (14 Games):53.2
Carries: 175
Avg. Carries per Game (14 Games): 12.5
Up to GB (10 games)
Total Yards:577
Avg. Yards per Carry: 4.1
Total TD's:3
Avg. Yards per Game (10 games): 57.7
Estimated Carries:138
Est Avg Carries per Game: 13.8
CHI and after (four games of six)
Total Yards: 168
Avg. Yards per Carry: 4.6
Total TD's: 3
Avg. Yards per Game (four games): 42
Estimated Carries: 37
Est Avg Carries per Game (4 Games): 9.3
