Maroney Key To Pats Success

While we are all aware of the New England Patriots successful air game, and their revamped defense, it is the running game that may make or break the season. Even in 2007, when Tom Brady and Randy Moss were breaking NFL records, the running game, and most notably Lawrence Maroney, have struggled to find the consistency to make them a true threat, to take eyes off of Brady and company. According to Maroney, that is all going to change.

The main criticism against Maroney, who was the Patriots first round pick in 2006, is his lack of hitting holes right away. Maroney has been accused of dancing around in the backfield, waiting for holes to develop. He has been running side to side, looking to make something out of nothing, instead of hitting the first hole that develops. Maroney said that is all going to change this year. It has to, because this season may be the player’s last change to prove himself with the Patriots. Each of the top 6 running backs drafted either ahead or behind him in that 2006 draft have had much more success than Maroney.

He says this year that the critics will be silenced. He states that he will be a much more physical, down hill runner. The Patriots need him to be better, and using his big frame to pound between the tackles would be a start. He is not an elusive back, so the side to side style really did not fit him. For the first time in his career, he did not miss a single game last season. Yet, his stats were lacking, running for only 757 yards, although he did find the end zone nine times.

The Patriots need Maroney to use the ferocity he displays in getting past the goal line on an every down basis. His job may very well depend on it, as the Patriots have invested four seasons into him. Maroney simply needs to be better. He says that the new running style will be implemented. However, old habits do die hard, and it would not be a surprise to see him reverting to his old ways.