While Laurence Maroney’s career with the Patriots may not have reached the heights many expected for a first-round pick, his early flashes of brilliance were undeniable. His ability to break tackles and gain tough yards was a hallmark of his game, providing a crucial piece to Tom Brady’s aerial assault during that record-setting 2007 season. It’s hard not to wonder what might have been if injuries hadn’t derailed Maroney’s promising start, especially considering his pivotal role in that historic Super Bowl run where they fell just short.
Given how things ultimately played out early in his career here in New England, it sounds like Maroney still wishes he could change some things.
The former first-round pick was selected at the same spot in 2006 that the Patriots are currently slated, 21st overall. The former standout from the University of Minnesota seemed like a great pick, with one of his key traits being his ability to break through contact and get extra yards.
He averaged 4.3 yards per carry during his rookie season, before having a stronger year the following season when he averaged 4.5, gaining a career-high 835 yards on 185 carries in an offense that didn’t run the ball that often, predominantly featuring Brady throwing the football to Randy Moss and Wes Welker.
Maroney, who scored a touchdown in the Super Bowl loss to the Giants at the end of that season, said he felt like he could have rushed for 100 yards in that contest had the club not been focused on throwing the football.
“When we got to the Super Bowl, we just tried to air it out more because it was warm, good weather, and so I feel like if we ran the ball a little more, I probably would have been back over 100 yards that game,” Maroney said via the Deluth News Tribune. “But whenever you watch (that game), you’re going to see me make my touchdown, and that’s a memory that’s going to stay with me forever.”
But Maroney’s love of contact hurt him in 2008 when he suffered what was apparently a significant shoulder injury, and he was never the same player. New England would go on to trade him after the following season to Denver, which ended his time with the Patriots after four seasons.
Maroney admitted he didn’t have the best career and felt he definitely had more to give.
“It definitely was cut short,” said Maroney. “I really wish it was better. I’m not saying I had the worst. But I felt like there were things that I still wanted to deliver to the game, to the NFL, to showcase what I really had. But it’s water under the bridge. You can’t go back and change it. It wasn’t the best, it wasn’t the worst. I know I could have done better.”
The 37-year-old retired at the age of 28 and has taken a similar route to former Patriots receiver Aaron Dobson by working in real estate, with Maroney reportedly being involved in rentals and rehabbing homes. He reportedly now lives in St. Louis with his girlfriend Briante, and they are raising three young children.
(EDITOR’S NOTE: Portions of the above appeared in this morning’s daily news/notes column.)
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Ian Logue is a Seacoast native and owner and senior writer for PatsFans.com, an independent media site covering the New England Patriots and has been running this site in one form or another since 1997.
