Is Maroney the GL back now? (1 Viewer)

[Deuce'sWild]

What's the feeling on who is the GL back in New England from here out? Maroney got both GL opps last game, and Dillon then proceeded to fumble late in the game. Anyone feel like Dillon is out as the GL RB after last week?

With Det this week, whoever is the GL man may have a superb game.

 

[aldelgreco]

What's the feeling on who is the GL back in New England from here out? Maroney got both GL opps last game, and Dillon then proceeded to fumble late in the game. Anyone feel like Dillon is out as the GL RB after last week? With Det this week, whoever is the GL man may have a superb game.

When watching a Dallas or New England game, look for the guy with the long dreads to ALWAYS come in on the GL.

 

[Deuce'sWild]

Dillon has actually had more opps inside the 10 so far this season, and has more TDs. I'm just wondering if anything has changed

 

[epiG3]

Dillon has actually had more opps inside the 10 so far this season, and has more TDs. I'm just wondering if anything has changed

I'm not sure.. but I think Chicago's defense was too quick to have Dillon get those carries... on the new turf. Maroney was a good foil against that defense because of his explosiveness. Detroit won't get the same kind of penetration.. and they probably want to preserve Laurence for the future and "lump up" the old guy. That said, I'm a Maroney owner and would welcome the change.

 

[David Yudkin]

I read in a chat with the Boston Globe Pats beat reporter that the Pats *MAY* start limiting Dillon to 8-10 carries a game to keep him fresh for the playoffs. That certainly is far from official, but that was what he thought the plan was from here on out.

 

[GregR_2]

The full play by play seems to be revealing on this topic.

Look at all of the Patriots series and you'll see that which RB got touches in the series alternates between Dillon and Maroney thoughout the game. The only series that I spotted where both got touches was a Dillon series where he had a 26 yard run and the Maroney was in on the next play (and fumbled), which suggests it was just giving Dillon a breather after the long run on the previous play.

So I'd say we shouldn't read much into Maroney getting goalline carries since the only two possessions that had goalline carries appeared to be his normal turn in the rotation. It does bear watching though, and it's definitely a good sign he didn't get pulled for Dillon.

Edit to add: Of course if someone who watched the whole game remembers them mixing in on series but just didn't happen to get touches, it would be good to know... I watched some of it but not enough to go by more than the play by play.

 

[kensat30]

Not to mention that Dillon was banged up going into the game. I don't think Maroney is going to come in and take over at the goalline 100% on a permanent basis. I mean, just look at the way Dillon runs. Around the goalline should be the guys bread and butter. He doesn't have a 2nd gear anymore, and the guy looks like he weighs a good 250+.

 

[Wooderson]

As a Dillon owner I am worried about this. The one thing he got all the time before was the goalline carries. Without that he is a tough start.

To me Maroney is the far better back. You would think the Pats would want to keep him fresh for the playoffs.

 

[GregR_2]

This may sound like a wierd question, but it's one I haven't been able to shake completely.

Does anyone else ever wonder if Maroney LOOKS like a better RB than he really is? I mean, he just always looks to me like he's flying and putting everything he has into it in a way that seems impressive, and then I go, "Wait, that was a 1 yard loss?"

 

[David Yudkin]

This may sound like a wierd question, but it's one I haven't been able to shake completely.Does anyone else ever wonder if Maroney LOOKS like a better RB than he really is? I mean, he just always looks to me like he's flying and putting everything he has into it in a way that seems impressive, and then I go, "Wait, that was a 1 yard loss?"

Maybe that's because Dillon has a better ypc than Maroney (4.2 vs. 4.0).

 

[redman]

As a Dillon owner I am worried about this. The one thing he got all the time before was the goalline carries. Without that he is a tough start. To me Maroney is the far better back. You would think the Pats would want to keep him fresh for the playoffs.

Maroney's young, and he's not averaging a lot of carries per game, so resting him doesn't make much sense. It's Dillon who's got the mileage and who is in danger of getting heavy legs as the season drags on.

 

[Stinkin Ref]

I think Maroney getting GL looks is a testament to what he is able to do while he is in the game and what he does during his turn in the rotation.....he helps get NE into those situations....it seems more then Dillon anyway.....Maroney is money even when he catches passes....he makes things happen.....

the fact that he is also returning kicks may keep Dillon starting some series, but I would not be surprised to see Maroney starting to come in a little more often even when Dillon starts a series...

I haven't paid much attention, but how has Maroney's pass protection been......it seems to me that they do not keep him in much and send him out into the flat or just downfield down the middle whenever Brady goes back to pass....are they pulling a TE back there or something....

 

[Deuce'sWild]

So is Dillon still a viable starter given the right matchup?

 

[Jon_Moore]

Anyone's a viable starter given the right matchup. I'd start Dillon week to week if he was my best option. Hopefully, he's at worst your rb 2.

 

[Bri]

No I don't think so. He'd be the favorite but that's about it. I saw Dillon will be used less to rest him up. Pass, last year's RB, was just activated off PUP. Pass and Evans can each be pretty good on short yardage plays. I think much of BBs thinking is to keep the opponent guessing and Maroney everytime wouldn't lend to that.

ETA just saw David's post