So That's What Laurence Maroney Is Doing

According to KMOV-TV in St. Louis, former Patriots running back Laurence Maroney was being held Tuesday morning on unlawful weapons and drug charges. WEEI

Laurence Maroney is a shithead. He only rushed 74 yards for the Denver Broncos after being traded from the Patriots. Maroney had the potential to be great, and I believe he still could be a somewhat decent 3rd down back, however, his lack of progression and attitude were the things that killed him.

Well I guess some of this explains his indecision in his running story.

No we find out that he got in trouble for weapons and drugs. There are always 2 sides of every story but things don't look good for him right now. I've heard reports that he was pulled over in a different car and had nothing to do with it, but that's very hard to believe.

Once again the Patriots made an unbelievable trade by getting a 4th round pick for this D bag.

Maroney to Denver

Remember back in the day, when the WCW would lure older WWF wrestlers. We used to joke that the WCW was the WWF's retirement home. That's what the Broncos are turning into.

Maroney was shipped to the Rockies, along with a 6th round pick. In return, the Patriots received a 4th round pick, and some peace of mind.

Maroney isn't an NFL back. And with injury worries, I'm a bit surprised the Patriots were able to get anything at all for him. He's not a good receiver. His pass-rush protection is forgettable. You can't depend on him to get 1 yard on 3rd and short. And he'll frequently lose yardage. He lacks the one thing that's prized most in a runningback: reliability.

Talk about depreciation in value. The Patriots spent a 1st round pick and millions of cap space on this project, and now wind up with a 4th rounder (and lose a 6th rounder). Maroney serves as a good reminder that Belichick is mortal. And you've seen that the Patriots have since avoided drafting at that position.

Fred Taylor is the #1 back in New England. Today, at least. He was hurt last season. Considering his age, I wouldn't be shocked if he got hurt again. Morris will support, as will Green-Ellis. And the ageless Kevin Faulk will be the "passing down" RB.

In that lineup, there's simply no role for Maroney. When would he be the best (or even second best) choice to run the ball? And this isn't college football. Teams simply don't carry 5 runningbacks.

Looking forward, I'd like the Pats to draft a runningback in 2011. A power back. One who's proven that they can run through contact and still drive forward. Ever since the departure of Corey Dillon, the Pats have lacked that threat. And can you just imagine the headaches opposing defensive coordinators would have trying to stop both Brady AND a dynamic running game.

-The Commodore

Laurence Maroney Fans = David Carradine

Every year there are always Patriots fans that tell me "this is the year Maroney puts it all together". It's not just the fans either, there is always some ass-clown that writes an article about how is going to be better, and has the ability to be a top 10 RB. In the end, these fans/reports are like David Carradine, they hide themselves in the closet, jerk off to Maroney, and end up dying because they were too stupid to know when to let go.

Listen, I fallen for Maroney in the past. He has the talent, but so does JaMarcus Russell. Talent only gets you so far. The truth is Maroney is not that tough of a runner, he is injury prone, and I really question his desire to improve himself. So fuck Maroney, his David Carradine-like fans, and all I can say is that Fred Taylor better get the ball 80% of the time with the rest going to guys like Kevin Faulk.

Sure we were all fans of Carradine in Kill Bill, must like we were all fans of Maroney when he was a rookie, but you got to know when to let that noose aroung your neck go, because the risk just isn't worth the reward.

What We Learned About The Patriots Last Night

So the first exhibition game has come and gone. So, what have we learned about the 2010 New England Patriots?

1. New Offensive identity - Ok maybe it hasn;t completely changed, but the Patriots did run the ball a lot more last night, and used a lot of formations that had 2-3 TEs on the field. Brady was using much more play action, which is something they had gotten away from with their "spread" offense. I have been saying they needed to put Brady under center the last 2 years. He was one of the best play action QBs in the league back when they were winning Super Bowls and I think it's important they get back to the kind of offense that can control a game rather then just trying to blow the doors off everyone. Before we go to far though, the Patriots did this last preseason and then ended up running their spread offense for most of the regular season.

2. Welker - I knew he wouldn't play. I wouldn't read into this much, I mean did you really think they would risk him in the first preseason game?

3. Julian Edelman - What a great game last night (six receptions for 90 yards and returned a punt 40 yards). Even if Welker isn't 100% I feel a lot better now that Edelman is turning into a very reliable receiver. I was hoping that we would see Tate get more touches, but his 1 catch was an important 20 yard catch. Still is going to need to show more then that if he wants a starting job.

4. Defense - When the starters were out their they looked pretty good. The Saints punted four times on their five first-half possessions and managed just a field goal on their last four of the game. It's just a preseason game, but at least it has to give the Patriots some confidence, since they were going against arguably the best offense in the league.

5. Running backs - They played well last night. Laurence Maroney had 2 TDs, but I wasn't overly impressed with the way he ran. I have just been fooled by him too many times. Still, he (along with rest of the running backs) should be improved this year, especially if the Patriots are going to starting basing their offense a lot more on play action, and 2/3 TE sets.

6. Brandon Spikes - You can tell Belichick really believes in this kid. He got the chance to start with Guyton hurt, and he looked comfortable. On top of that after the first team left Spikes stayed out there, and looked as if he was running the huddle for the defense. Pretty impressive for a rookie in a Belichick defense.

Overall it was a good first preseason game for the Patriots, and they have plenty to build off of.

Belichick Backs Maroney

"After seeing his rushing yardage drop 80 units from Week 6 to Week 7, many were questioning the ability of Laurence Maroney as the New England Patriots' starting running back following Sunday's win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They should be questioning another part of the offense, according to Pats coach Bill Belichick. During his latest appearance on WEEI, the coach deflected the criticism of No. 39: "Well, every player can improve, but Laurence has done a pretty good job running the ball for us. I really don't have a lot of problems with Laurence. What I'd like to see is for us to open bigger holes to create some space for these guys and allow them to run. [Maroney] can do a better job, but we can block better and hopefully design more plays to create space and get some yards." Can't argue with the final result from Sunday, and the Pats O-linemen have an extra week to get themselves together before the Dolphins visit in Week 9 (ESPN)."

To me the problem is not Maroney or the offensive line it is the play calling. Hold on...calm down, let me explain. Over the past 2+ season the Patriots ahve basically been a passing team. The offensive line is so used to passing protecting that I think they have lost some of their upfield push needed for a running game. So far this season I haven't seen Maroney go east and west too much, or hesitate in the backfield, so I really think it is more of an issue of running more to get the offensive line comfortable with running plays.

Maroney Bologna

Only in the English language could words spelled like that rhyme.



Laurence Maroney, who's struggled in Foxborough ever since the departure of Corey Dillon, made an enemy out of me this week. I've never been a huge fan, based mostly on his on-field performances. But I never held a personal grudge against him either. Until now.

Fresh off a disappointing 6 yard, 7 carry performance against the Ravens, Maroney addressed his being booed by the Gillette Stadium crowd. He then analyzed his performance:

"I just look at it as I had seven carries, and after looking at the film, I could have done a couple of the carries better, a couple of them probably weren’t blocked correctly, but hey, I still could have made a couple of them better."

He's not throwing the O-Line under the bus in full-blown Peyton Manning style, but he shouldn't be talking about them at all. You never heard Rodney Harrison say things like "We'd stop the run better if the linemen filled the gaps better." Or Brady say "We would've beaten the Giants had the line held up their pass rush."

Maroney is still a college back. In college rushing, defensive players overcommit like crazy. By the time Maroney hit the line of scrimmage, most of the defense was out of position. And only a few of them had the physical attributes to atone for this. So a fast guy like Maroney gets 10, 15 yards with ease. Here are some of Maroney's highlights, with Marion Barber mixed in as well. Maroney is #22, Barber is #21.



Maroney's not soft. He's fast. He just isn't fast enough and decisive enough to consistently succeed as an NFL back.

That being said, he does have a role on this team. I would like to see him as the 4th quarter RB (when the Pats have the lead, of course). When the opposing defense is tired from rushing the passer 40 times, and tackling Fred Taylor 15 times, that's when Maroney can excel. We saw that in 2006 when Corey Dillon would wear out the defense, then Laurence would run circles around them.

Source:
Boston.com

-The Commodore

How Hurt Was Maroney Last Year?

There have been a lot of questions about Maroney's toughness over the past two seasons. I'll admit that I am one of the people who really question it, but when you sit back and think about it we never know who is really hurt on the Patriots. Maroney recently came out and finally defended himself saying he was playing with a broken bone in his shoulder last year. Could that explain why he wasn't running with the same authority that we saw a couple years ago? Is it fixed now? All these questions are really hard to find out when you are a Patriots fan.

I expect little to nothing from Maroney, but it would be a nice surprise if he can come back this year with a chip on his shoulder (no pun) and prove everyone wrong. Once again, I doubt it, but at least there is somewhat of a feeling of hope....

Maroney: "This is the Year"

There are plenty of critics who have already counted out Laurence Maroney [stats], labeling the Patriots [team stats] running back a first-round bust. During a phone interview yesterday to promote a charity event, Maroney vowed he will finally prove himself worthy this year. While his first three seasons failed to produce the kind of success anticipated of him, he’s determined to change his course. “One thing I’d never do is doubt myself. I didn’t get here by luck,” Maroney said. “They didn’t draft me just because I had one good year. They didn’t draft me by accident. They drafted the right guy. ... I want to show them they drafted the right guy (Boston Herald)."

Maroney has the talent, but I have no faith that he is going to suddenly turn it around. The Patriots have no faith in this guy, and you can see that by all the running backs that have been coming through here. The only reason he is even on the roster is because he is cheap, and this is the last year of the contract, so there is really nothing to lose. It would be a hell of a boost if he could be the running back we saw when Dillon was on the team, but I very much doubt that. I think his head is fucked up, and I also think he hates taking hits...not a good combo for a starting RB.

Maroney/Harrison Out For Year

After the Patriots best win of the season, they got news that two of their players have been lost for the year.

Laurence Maroney

He has been a disappointment all year, and I seriously think that we will never see him in a Patriots uniform, but who knows the Patriots never say what's really going on. Right now he is listed on IR with a shoulder injury. My thought was that if the Patriots were going to do anything this year it would be from Maroney. Guess not, but at least Morris looked like a beast last night (too bad he is hurt too).

Rodney Harrison

Seems like this happens to Harrison every year, but with him out for the year with a torn quad muscle, you would think that Lynch will be getting a phone call real soon. Harrison is another player I don't think the Patriots are going to ever see back. I think he really needs to retire, it's just too bad he had to go out like this.

-BMack

What The Hell Is Wrong With Maroney?

The Patriots have Maroney listed as questionable for this week's game against the Chargers with a shoulder injury, but in a recent media session, he said it was a new "problem". Is his other shoulder hurt? Is something else wrong, like play calling? Or is he just a baby?

Here is the interview (thanks to Boston.com):

How is your shoulder?
“I’m not speaking.” [Smiling]

How is your confidence?
“It’s kind of good. It’s nice.” [Smiling]

This last game, can you go back to your performance. We saw on the TV, [running backs] Coach [Ivan] Fears kind of getting after you a bit.
“That’s what you all saw on TV? I didn’t see that part.”

You lived it, though.
“Not really. He really wasn’t yelling. I don’t know what he was saying. I really don’t remember. He really wasn’t yelling, though. TV is [tough], man.”

How are you in general? You are taking some heat from the fans [and media] for that run where you were close to the first-down marker [and did not lunge forward].
“Is that what they said? What did the fans say? Let me know.”

They want to know [and media members want to know] why you didn’t surge forward and go for the first down.
“Hey, I have my issues. There are reasons. I’d rather not speak about them. But there are reasons.”

If we say it’s the shoulder, would you say we’re on the right track?
“Not really. Even if you hit it on the head, I’m going to tell you ‘no.’”

Keep us guessing?
“Yeah.”

When you looked back at that game against the 49ers, did you feel there were yards that you left out there?
“Most definitely. Like I said, I have issues right now. I’m trying to work through them the best I can, and trying to do the best I can with my problems.”

Does it give you confidence that last year you got off to a little bit of a slow start and came on strong – that maybe you can do the same thing again?
“This situation is a little bit different, it’s definitely a little bit different from last year. But I’m trying to make the best out of it.”

Is this an issue you’ve ever dealt with before?
“It’s a new one. It’s definitely a new one.”

Is it important to maybe try to ignore and shut out the criticism?
“Most definitely. You’re going to get criticism because, one, people really don’t know what it is. And they don’t know what you’re dealing with. All they’re going to know is what you put out there on the TV. So you’re going to get criticism until they find out exactly what is going on, and what is the problem. I really don’t pay it no attention. I just keep doing what I can do and try to make the best out of it.”

Is it tough to get in a rhythm with all the backs you have?
“Not really. There are different backs, different styles. I like it. It keeps us fresh, keeps us going, and keeps the defense tired. You go out there and one back does something good, and you get [pumped] like you did it. Now he broke [one], now let me break [one]. It’s fun out there.”

Are you confident that you’ll be able to work out or resolve whatever this issue is?
“Well, all I can say is that I’m trying. That’s all I can do at the end of the day, no matter what the media say, how they perceive me, how the fans perceive me. At the end of the day, that’s all I can do. If I was out here not trying, that’s one thing. But I’m actually out here trying to do what I can do. So I don’t really care what everybody else says. The coaches know the issue. I know the issue. And we’re trying to make the issue better, if we can.”

How much will the criticism motivate you?
“I don’t really pay attention to it. Unless you all sit here and tell me about it, I won’t know.”

-BMack

Patriots Beat 49ers 30-21

Well it wasn't pretty, but Pats improve to 3-1. It was not the most exciting game, but the Patriots did a lot of things well. For one, their pass defense looked good has they held J.T. O'Sullivan to only 130 yards passing, and he completed less then half of his passes. The 130 yards is the lowest total that O'Sullivan has had all year, and the Patriots were able to do that with a lot of players coming in and out of the game with injuries. New England also held Gore to 54 rushing yards, and other than the first coupe of series he was really quiet. So, overall you have to be really happy with the way the defense played. The offense was a bit of a different story.

The Patriots looked awful in the beginning of the game, other then the bomb to Moss for a TD. Cassel couldn't seem to find the open receiver, and the pass rush was all over him. Eventually Cassell was able to settle down and finish with a sold stat line (22/32 259 yards 1 TD 2 INTs). My worry with Cassel is that when the pass rush gets some pressure on him, he seems to stop looking down field, and frantically run around in circles. He needs to work on keeping him composure in the pocket. That being said, the offense line was not impressive today. They were very inconsistent, and just haven't seemed right since the Super Bowl.

My other worry is the running back situation. Kevin Faulk bailed them out today, but it is getting sad that he is becoming the goal line back. Morris had a solid game, and it is really looking like he should be the starting RB. I am giving up on Maroney. He is terrible, he refuses to take a hit, and he dances behind the offensive line way too much. He would be a great goal line back if he would just hit the whole, but he just doesn't seem to want to do that. So, I really think the Pats just need to rely on Morris, and use Faulk as they have for the past 10 years.

Overall, a win is a win, and the Pats did a lot of things right today. It was great to see them get the ball to Moss, as he had a huge day (111 yards and a TD). The Pats just need more consistent play from their offensive line, and Cassel needs to keep his eyes down field. Now they Patriots are going to be coming into some harder games as they face San Diego and Denver the next two weeks, but at least you have to be happy that the defense is looking much better.

-BMack

Patriots Injury Updates

Patriots have a couple injuries this week. Here is a list of who haven't practiced (or have been limited) this week:

1. RB Laurence Maroney (shoulder)- Injured his shoulder in the last game against the Jets, but was able to come back late in the game. I actually don't think he will be playing this week, since the Patriots seem to like Morris better anyways, and can use Faulk for 3rd downs. Also, the Pats are playing the Dolphins this weekend, so they really don't need him.

2. RB LaMont Jordan (foot)- I don't think this is anything serious, and I expect him to be out there this weekend.

3. WR Kelley Washington (ankle)- An underrated player on this Patriots team. Doesn't do much at WR, but is a great special team player. He is listed as questionable, and I think he will be a game time decision.

4. DT Vince Wilfork (back)- This is just precautionary. I would be shocked if he doesn't play, and is really the key to the entire Pats defense.

-BMack