My knock on Maroney and the offense

[DW Toys]

Just a pet peeve of mine but, barring extreme cases, I have a hard time buying the argument that first-round running backs didn't "fight for success" to get where they are. Even 'lazy' professional athletes work hard. If they didn't, they'd be out of the league. It takes a true physical freak to be pro-caliber without having to work hard and 'fight for success'.

There is some truth to what you say. I think I would rather opt for the guy who has to work to make himself better. I am not against this kid. But the examples everyone stuffs down my throat are from two or three years ago and I have not seen this kid get better. Has he done anything to get better?

I like the kid. I was excited when we drafted him, but he seems to be digressing. He does not like to give out punishment. He almost seems afraid. Something is missing. Maybe we are all missing the boat. Regardless of what anyone says and those stats that really make no difference, something is wrong. Those stat books don't run the football. There isn't anybody on this thread that disagrees with this in their heart. Maybe it's confidence? I don't know but he has an issue.

All I am saying is if he tries to trust his game to his athletic ability alone, there are too many other athletes in the NFL he is competing against.
DW Toys

 

[eom]

There is some truth to what you say. I think I would rather opt for the guy who has to work to make himself better. I am not against this kid. But the examples everyone stuffs down my throat are from two or three years ago and I have not seen this kid get better. Has he done anything to get better?

I like the kid. I was excited when we drafted him, but he seems to be digressing.....

sorry, I'll find you some examples of his stuff from the playoffs this past season.

oh, wait....

 

[Frezo]

All I am saying is if he tries to trust his game to his athletic ability alone, there are too many other athletes in the NFL he is competing against.
DW Toys

Uncle, if that was all that you were saying, you could have said it in one single message.

Maroney has made some spectacular plays in the second level and some bone headed ones at the LOS. In fact his dancing may have accounted for an injury or two because when he gets hit he can be laterally off balance on one foot. He is talented when he gets past the line though. If he stays healthy this season I think he'll be fine if the OC can utilize his strengths with more passes out of the back field and maybe screens.

As of now it looks like he's on the starting roster so we might as well give him our support. Go Larry!

 

[HEY BRO! WHAT UP?]

We really can't move on from this topic can we?

 

[Frezo]

...gone and forgotten by Saturday

 

[patsfan-1982]

i all was liked maroney but i have to say i dont think the run blocking is the problem it looked like every runing back on the team was geting the job done accep for maroney they where 6th in the nfl in rushing yerds at 142 yerds a game the run blocking cant be that bad

 

[basement zombie]

i all was liked maroney but i have to say i dont think the run blocking is the problem it looked like every runing back on the team was geting the job done accep for maroney they where 6th in the nfl in rushing yerds at 142 yerds a game the run blocking cant be that bad

wow...that hurt...

 

[Joker]

I just went out into my backyerd and puked

 

[eom]

that's 3 canadian feet.

 

[Deus Irae]

i all was liked maroney but i have to say i dont think the run blocking is the problem it looked like every runing back on the team was geting the job done accep for maroney they where 6th in the nfl in rushing yerds at 142 yerds a game the run blocking cant be that bad

Game 1, Maroney went 10 rushes for 51 yards, Morris went 10 rushes for 53 yards and Jordan had 2 rushes for 6 yards. Maroney looks just fine there.

Game 2, Maroney went 8 rushes for 16 yards, Morris went 8 rushes for 0 yards, and Jordan had 11 rushes for 62 yards. Maroney struggled, but look at Morris.

Game 3, Maroney doesn't play, Morris went 9 rushes for 27 yards and Jordan went 6 rushes for 22 yards. No Maroney, no 142 yards running.

Game 4, Maroney got hurt, Morris had 16 carries for 63 yards and Jordan had 5 carries for 16 yards. Again, the non-Maroney numbers are less than impressive.

Game 5, Morris has 10 carries and 26 yards, while neither Jordan nor Maroney play.

Game 6, Morris has 16 carries for 138 yards against the hapless Broncos, and BJGE gets some action with 13 carries for 65 yards. Jordan does not play.

Game 7, No Morris and no Jordan. BJGE has 9 carries for 16 yards.

Game 8, No Morris and no Jordan. BJGE has 15 carries for 57 yards.

So, halfway through the season and the running backs really had only one excellent game. That was against the Broncos. Pointing to Maroney is just silly.

 

[BradyFTW!]

I honestly wonder what would happen if Maroney ran for 1200 yards this year. Would people finally drop this whole argument that he's not a good RB? If so, who would they decide to hate next?

 

[nashvillepatsfan]

I honestly wonder what would happen if Maroney ran for 1200 yards this year. Would people finally drop this whole argument that he's not a good RB? If so, who would they decide to hate next?

nope, unless he runs for 1700 (more then Dillon) he'll still be hated

 

[DW Toys]

nope, unless he runs for 1700 (more then Dillon) he'll still be hated

That would be nice. I hope he does. How can anyone hate this kid?

I think he will be moved if the price is right though. There was an article even mentioned yesterday on FOXSports.net by Marvis.
DW Toys

 

[Synovia]

It's an example, Do you feel confident handing the ball to Maroney in the SB, confident in knowing he's going to get those 2 yards.

Moreso than anyone else on the roster.

 

[Synovia]

O.K. Cousin. It's fourth and one at the three with :20 seconds to go and we are behind by four. Do I give the ball to Morris, Faulk, Taylor or Maroney?
You'll answer your own question...nuff said now?
DW Toys

Success Rate inside the 20:


Maroney: 58%
Taylor: 45%
Morris:49%

Faulk has never had enough carries in a season to have a success rate. Maroney has the best success rate, the best power stats, and is the best back. You give him the ball.

 

[Synovia]

Oh Wait! I guess I missed the game time, the opponent, the conditions and the circumstance. Great stat lesson. Why bother to watch?

Again, DW Toys, judging players by single plays is the height of stupidity.


DVOA judges players by how they do as compared to average against other players in the same situation. Maroney's situational stats are phenominal. Hes the best back on the roster, and by a huge margin, he just can't stay healthy.


For some reason, despite all the facts stating otherwise, you've decided hes worse than BJGE, who is camp fodder, and just wont give it up. Absolutely nothing you have said in here is rational, or coherent. You hate the guy. Its got nothing to do with how he plays football.

 

[Ring 6]

Wow, touchy aren't we? Sorry to have offended you.

We obviously disagree. I've never lambasted Maroney like some on this board, but I don't think that he is the most instinctive RB that I have seen. I think he is tentative about finding and hitting holes, and lacks the vision that separates good from great RBs. I also think he runs too high. He has been productive and I have never been on the "trade Maroney" bandwagon, but if I could substitute Donald Brown or Knowshon Moreno for him I would do it in a heartbeat.

The point is that you are describing a running back that runs on instinct. (backs who are 'tentative' are running on instinct) Instinct also requires 'vision'.
What you've done is describe perfectly that Maroney is a guy who relies upon instinct.
Your conclusion however, that his instincts are bad, does not measure up to the facts. His numbers are above average. If you are an instinctual runner with above average numbers, you cannot have poor instincts or lack 'vision'.
You are making an argument that you know WHY he produces what he has, it is a fact that what he has produced is above average, and you therefore conlcude that what he is is bad.
By the way, neither of those guys would be an upgrade.

 

[HEY BRO! WHAT UP?]

That would be nice. I hope he does. How can anyone hate this kid?

I think he will be moved if the price is right though. There was an article even mentioned yesterday on FOXSports.net by Marvis.
DW Toys

If Maroney is traded on draft day, I will be extremely disappointed. In fact, this will say to me that the Pats are admitting their 2006 draft was a failure. I don't think the Pats are ready to do that.

 

[alvinnf]

Moreso than anyone else on the roster.

If it's two yards you need, morris is the back I like Maroney but he's more of a homerun hitter. I'm not knockin him, or hating on him. I hope he stays on this team and develops into an everydown back. I just cringe when he gets the ball on the edge in short yardage.

 

[Synovia]

If it's two yards you need, morris is the back I like Maroney but he's more of a homerun hitter. I'm not knockin him, or hating on him. I hope he stays on this team and develops into an everydown back. I just cringe when he gets the ball on the edge in short yardage.

Except, its not. In short yardage, Maroney gets the yards needed more often. Thats what success rate tells you. Maroney is BETTER in short yardage situations. He gets the first down 58% of the time, while Morris only gets it 45% of the time.


Maroney isn't a boom and bust back, hes a consistent back with occasional Booms. Hes just made of glass.