Belichick growing frustrated (1 Viewer)

[parrot]

Despite being a "third down back" Faulk is actually a pretty effective between the tackles runner. After watching what Maroney was able to do with those receptions out of the backfield last week I honestly don't know that they shouldn't completely flip their roles and make Faulk the primary back out of running formations and put Maroney in when the have the 3/4 wide sets with a back.

 

[zamboni]

I'm not sure what their cap situation is, but perhaps the Pats might be taking a look at Michael Turner in the offseason.

His powerful running style would be a great fit there.

 

[SeniorVBDStudent]

I'm not sure what their cap situation is, but perhaps the Pats might be taking a look at Michael Turner in the offseason. His powerful running style would be a great fit there.

Now THAT really would be unfair.

 

[zamboni]

I'm not sure what their cap situation is, but perhaps the Pats might be taking a look at Michael Turner in the offseason. His powerful running style would be a great fit there.

Now THAT really would be unfair.

All the more reason they could consider it.

 

[largentslovechild]

If he's frustrated with Maroney, I think he'd have an aneurism with a back like Alexander.

/I'd kill for Maroney.

 

[oneohh]

Maroney lost a lot by being out as much as he was. But I never trust word one that comes from Billy's mouth. I just don't. He's never given anything but coachspeak so why would he start now. THEY WILL HAVE TO RUN THE BALL IN THE PLAYOFFS. Have to. I think if nothing else, the Philly and Baltimore games have proven that they will have to be able to run the ball against the good defenses. Maroney is plenty good. I just don't think they have used him like they will in the playoffs and I don't think they will - until the playoffs. Why would they?

I don't particularly think Dallas showed new england anything in that romp. Wade might sound and look stupid but he's not. so I would only put stock in the games new england played stellar defenses (a common theme on this board, I know).

 

[rkrgoat]

I will not be shocked if Dallas trades both of their 1st round pick in 08(or one of them and another pick) for NE’s 1st to get McFadden. Jones is a big fan of McFadden and has been following his college career

The draft value on the Trade Value Chart, it looks like it would take the 2 firsts this year and the first next year for the second pick

 

[pats3in4]

Can the subject or byline of this topic be changed to include the word "Rumor" or "Unsubstantiated"? It comes across as official news the way it's shown now.

 

[Wreckincrew]

For the good of the other 31 teams I submit the NFL commissioner should force NE to use it's first round pick to acquire Cedric Benson from the Bears.

For the good of the NFl they should have fined the Pats the lower of their two first round picks after videogate. If the Pats got McFadden, they could surely trade Moroney to other teams for a first day pick, and be unstoppable yet again.

On thing to add is the blitz pickup expected from the RB's. I just don't see Bill trusting Brady's blind side to a rookie RB. The playoffs will show the real RB situation (barring injury).

 

[PahtyTom]

Maroney has gotten a lot of very very valuable and important carries for NE the last 2 weeks in crunch time when a fumble or loss of yardage could cost them the game.

 

[The Man Who Met Andy Griffith]

Can the subject or byline of this topic be changed to include the word "Rumor" or "Unsubstantiated"? It comes across as official news the way it's shown now.

Yeah, I agree. Clearly Maroney owners have much to be worried about already, but this is total speculation. No way would BB leak his concerns about his young RB to the press.

 

[Patoons]

the Patriots own the Niners' first-round pick after a Draft Day trade in '07 — we hear the Patriots will be very tempted to grab Arkansas RB Darren McFadden, a player most believe will be the consensus top running back in the draft. per pfw

Looks like their already playing games with draft.... pretty early to be doing this one.

 

[ConstruxBoy]

This report, and the way Maroney has been used this year, make me wonder whether Belichick was involved in drafting Maroney. Maybe he was overruled by the GM or some other coaches. I say that because Maroney was never a "pound it inside all game" runner in college. That was Barber's role at Minnesota. Maroney was the quick, nimble guy you had to get outside to be effective. Heck, he was known as Lightning to Barber's Thunder while with the Gophers. So I don't get why Belichick would think that he can be the pound it up the middle, Sammy Morris/Heath Evans type of back. That's not how he runs. I'm not sure I would put a lot of the blame on Maroney, although maybe he has dogged it some. I think that his skill set is a bad fit for the NE offense and either he was drafted by someone who didn't realize that or they have changed what skills they look for in a RB since they drafted him.

Edit to add that, IMHO, McFadden isn't that type of back either, although he is certainly bigger and better than Maroney. He needs some space just like Maroney and wouldn't fit that Sammy Morris profile at all because he doesn't really push the pile that much.

 

[sdsjr3]

Maroney has gotten a lot of very very valuable and important carries for NE the last 2 weeks in crunch time when a fumble or loss of yardage could cost them the game.

Agreed, and this past week in particular, I noticed that Maroney seemed to be running much harder into the line. He danced a few times, but not like he did when he first returned from injury. I thought he looked much more powerful into the line this week. And honestly, he looks more effective in the open when he catches a swing pass than Faulk does.I honestly think development is the biggest issue here. If he listens to the coaches and continues to develop I believe they will give him more time to prove himself. He's still a raw NFL back. There aren't too many backs that can step in like ADP has, and be stud NFL backs from the get go. LM has a solid skill set, and I'm sure he'll be around the game for a while, whether it's with NE or another team.

 

[gethugefast1]

Maroney has gotten a lot of very very valuable and important carries for NE the last 2 weeks in crunch time when a fumble or loss of yardage could cost them the game.

Agreed, and this past week in particular, I noticed that Maroney seemed to be running much harder into the line. He danced a few times, but not like he did when he first returned from injury. I thought he looked much more powerful into the line this week. And honestly, he looks more effective in the open when he catches a swing pass than Faulk does.I honestly think development is the biggest issue here. If he listens to the coaches and continues to develop I believe they will give him more time to prove himself. He's still a raw NFL back. There aren't too many backs that can step in like ADP has, and be stud NFL backs from the get go. LM has a solid skill set, and I'm sure he'll be around the game for a while, whether it's with NE or another team.

I don't get to look at the game films or replays, if anyone has or could, it looked like LM was hitting the pile and turning around trying to push the pile backwards churning his legs for the extra yard or two? If it wasn't every play up the middle it was almost every and not just 3rd and 1 or 2, but 1st and 10. Was this correct?Don't know why Pats don't pull a guard and run to the outside, so LM can pick a hole to dance through. Up the middle just seemed to be to crowded for him to be affective. Of couse Brady can always get them out of 2nd and 8 or 9.

 

[tech]

Belichick is the new Shanahan. He's an RB killer. Let's all hope the Burner doesn't end up there or he'll never see more than 12 carries.

 

[zamboni]

Belichick is the new Shanahan. He's an RB killer. Let's all hope the Burner doesn't end up there or he'll never see more than 12 carries.

Dillon did very well there, as did the immortal Antowain Smith. If Morris hadn't gotten hurt, he might still have been the workhorse as we speak. It's probably just a matter of Belichick finding and settling on his guy.