Just how dinged up is Maroney? (1 Viewer)

[ckalltheway]

They sign an RB off their practice squad.

They rest Kevin Faulk (only listed as probable) during practice this week.

And they don't dress Maroney at all tonight.

Maybe the shoulder and groin are what has been slowing him down and affecting his play. And those are the kinds of injuries that linger.

So maybe with Morris' admirable play thus far combined with the fact that they are kicking the crap out of everyone anyway, they've decided they can sit him for a bit to see if it can actually heal.

Thoughts?

 

[KellysHeroes]

I think the opposite... Maroney didn't seem hurt at all in week 3 and he was ready to play Friday night... BB Felt that there was no reason to play him if he didn't need to.

 

[David Yudkin]

I think the opposite... Maroney didn't seem hurt at all in week 3 and he was ready to play Friday night... BB Felt that there was no reason to play him if he didn't need to.

The bolded part is not accurate. Maroney was banged up and looked terrible in practice Friday and I pointed that out in several Maroney threads. At this point I believe it's his groin injury and not the shoulder that is bothering him. I doubt he's in the same boat as S-Jax, but Maroney was hurt enough not to suit up this week so who knows about next week.

 

[Texican]

I think the opposite... Maroney didn't seem hurt at all in week 3 and he was ready to play Friday night... BB Felt that there was no reason to play him if he didn't need to.

The bolded part is not accurate. Maroney was banged up and looked terrible in practice Friday and I pointed that out in several Maroney threads. At this point I believe it's his groin injury and not the shoulder that is bothering him. I doubt he's in the same boat as S-Jax, but Maroney was hurt enough not to suit up this week so who knows about next week.

Yes, David was on top of this.

 

[Ted Lange as your Bartender]

I would think that NE would want Maroney 100% healed for the Dallas game in two weeks. That and given how Morris looked yesterday, I could see the Pats sitting him again next week.

:hopefulMorrisowner:

 

[twitch]

Belichick stated at his postgame PC when speaking about Morris that running the ball was a huge part of the gameplan, so that he knew coming in that Morris would have the opportunity to shine. But what it also says is that they needed depth at the position if they were running often late in the game. The kid brought up off the practice squad had 2 or 3 runs late in the game burning the clock. But if any one of the backs get hurt during the game, or even worst case scenario 2 of them were to get dinged, he needed the bodies out there to carry the ball. Maroney is dinged with the groin, but I dont think its killing him long term this season. BB may even rest him next week at home against Cleveland if he thinks they can win without him, and save him for Dallas the following week. Sucks for anyone with Maroney on the roster.

 

[KellysHeroes]

As a owner of both players... I would rather Maroney healed and Morris continue the performance last night.... then when Morris is dinged; BN him and play Maroney.

 

[Koya]

Maroney is dinged with the groin.

Not sure of the severity of the groin injury, but any injury to the groin that keeps a player out of a game is more than a "ding" in my opinion.Groin injuries are some of the toughest to perform with/through for skill positions, especially RBs and to a slightly lesser extend WRs. Santana Moss could face this all year. S Jax's season is in jeopardy imo. Don't know enough about Morris' injury, but if it is not 100% healed, he could go down big time at any time. Definately a tough situation to call.Again, I point to Fred Taylor back a few years. he hurt his groin week one. Questionable but doubtful for week two.Then three.Then four.Then 9.Then the season.And at no time was it considered a season ending injury until suddenly the season was near over.

 

[David Yudkin]

IIRC, Fred Taylor tore his groin and was pretty much done from that point on (Week 2), not a week to week. However, I believe the Jags still opted to list him on the injury report each week as questionable even though he really had no chance of playing in any given week. I also remember that there was a very slim chance that he might be able to return for the playoffs, thus why they did not put him on IR.

 

[bjabrad]

Problem with New England is twofold.

First, you can't get an accurate read on Maroney vs Morris and the injury situation (it's like Denver all over again) and second, New England loves to throw the ball so much that even when they're up they'll throw for TD's and keep throwing when they should be running out the clock by running the ball.

I saw Morris last night and he looks pretty good too but when would I know that playing him won't get me a goose egg?

That's why I'm gonna stay away from a very talented looking Morris.

 

[dwashington]

IIRC, Fred Taylor tore his groin and was pretty much done from that point on (Week 2), not a week to week. However, I believe the Jags still opted to list him on the injury report each week as questionable even though he really had no chance of playing in any given week. I also remember that there was a very slim chance that he might be able to return for the playoffs, thus why they did not put him on IR.

And to be even more specific, Fred Taylor tore his groin away from the bone.

 

[twitch]

Maroney is dinged with the groin.

Not sure of the severity of the groin injury, but any injury to the groin that keeps a player out of a game is more than a "ding" in my opinion.Groin injuries are some of the toughest to perform with/through for skill positions, especially RBs and to a slightly lesser extend WRs. Santana Moss could face this all year. S Jax's season is in jeopardy imo. Don't know enough about Morris' injury, but if it is not 100% healed, he could go down big time at any time. Definately a tough situation to call.Again, I point to Fred Taylor back a few years. he hurt his groin week one. Questionable but doubtful for week two.Then three.Then four.Then 9.Then the season.And at no time was it considered a season ending injury until suddenly the season was near over.

I understand, and I agree. Running and lifting that leg will be tough to do. But that Taylor comparison is worst case scenario. Belichick understands Maroney's value as the starting RB, but he's not going to risk further injury, especially after how Morris just played. They have two proven veterans in Morris and Faulk, and a contributing grinder in Evans. And now theyve called the kid out of Navy up from the practice squad. They have the depth to survive without LM. From a fantasy perspective, I just hope Maroney owners know well enough in advance of games what his status is, so they can adjust. Rest is really the only thing that can help. Taylor was a little deeper into his career when it happened, and he was also more of an everydown workhorse. Maroney hasnt seen that kindof workload, so chances are his 'ding' is nowhere near as severe. Stay positive.

 

[Workhorse]

Problem with New England is twofold.First, you can't get an accurate read on Maroney vs Morris and the injury situation (it's like Denver all over again) and second, New England loves to throw the ball so much that even when they're up they'll throw for TD's and keep throwing when they should be running out the clock by running the ball. I saw Morris last night and he looks pretty good too but when would I know that playing him won't get me a goose egg?That's why I'm gonna stay away from a very talented looking Morris.

Patriots through week 4:141 rushes120 passes

 

[TommyGilmore]

They don't need Maroney. There's no point in rushing him back until he's needed.

 

[On The Rocks]

Problem with New England is twofold.First, you can't get an accurate read on Maroney vs Morris and the injury situation (it's like Denver all over again) and second, New England loves to throw the ball so much that even when they're up they'll throw for TD's and keep throwing when they should be running out the clock by running the ball. I saw Morris last night and he looks pretty good too but when would I know that playing him won't get me a goose egg?That's why I'm gonna stay away from a very talented looking Morris.

Patriots through week 4:141 rushes120 passes

More rushes than passes doesn't necessarily mean they don't love to throw the ball.

 

[Koya]

IIRC, Fred Taylor tore his groin and was pretty much done from that point on (Week 2), not a week to week. However, I believe the Jags still opted to list him on the injury report each week as questionable even though he really had no chance of playing in any given week. I also remember that there was a very slim chance that he might be able to return for the playoffs, thus why they did not put him on IR.

David - that is possible. I recall this from (bad) memories as I had Taylor that year. First, I am NOT saying that Maroney's injury is nearly that bad - I am saying that I dont know and that groins can be tricky areas with high reinjury rates if not fully healed - and its tough for them to fully heal without total rest I believe.In regard to Taylor, I do remember him being listed as questionable and there seemed to be a feeling that he could make it back after a few weeks but that never materialized. However, again, I may not be remembering the details correctly. Just the pain it caused my roster.I think the REAL issues here are whether Maroney can stay healthy at all. The guy has not even had the full load and he can't stay on the field. At some point injury concerns become a real issue. With Morris running well and their complement of backs for roles (Faulk, Evans, Linemen catching TDs) it is not as if they need Maroney although he certainly brings a unique skill set to the table. But I wonder what his workload will be going forward,. even if healed.

 

[Workhorse]

Problem with New England is twofold.First, you can't get an accurate read on Maroney vs Morris and the injury situation (it's like Denver all over again) and second, New England loves to throw the ball so much that even when they're up they'll throw for TD's and keep throwing when they should be running out the clock by running the ball. I saw Morris last night and he looks pretty good too but when would I know that playing him won't get me a goose egg?That's why I'm gonna stay away from a very talented looking Morris.

Patriots through week 4:141 rushes120 passes

More rushes than passes doesn't necessarily mean they don't love to throw the ball.

Around 35 rushing attempts per game -- That's #2 in the NFL this season. 30 passing attempts per game -- That's #23 in the NFL this season.It's not that they "love to throw the ball" per se. Just that their passing attack is BY FAR the most efficient in the league so far. Having watched all 4 games, they pass to set up the run. Once they loosen up the defenders in the box, they run quite a bit more than they pass.

 

[Jefferson the Caregiver]

Impossible to say, why bother guessing.

Did Belichick need Maroney last night? Hardly. So there is absolutely no way of knowing if he was just being very prudent trying to have the guy available for the long haul.

Just a guess mind you and I'd like to have that minute back.

Better off reading the tea leaves if you want to play this game.

 

[Koya]

Impossible to say, why bother guessing.

Did Belichick need Maroney last night? Hardly. So there is absolutely no way of knowing if he was just being very prudent trying to have the guy available for the long haul.

Just a guess mind you and I'd like to have that minute back.

Better off reading the tea leaves if you want to play this game.

Need him in what way? If you mean that this was not a must win at all for NE with a 3-0 start, Id agree. If you meant that BB knew his offense would be fine and that they wouldnt need the additional weapon, I would disagree strongly. BB didnt KNOW THAT before the game... but in context of a long season, Maroney was not NEEDED last night for NE to win a super bowl.

 

[Ted Lange as your Bartender]

Impossible to say, why bother guessing.

Did Belichick need Maroney last night? Hardly. So there is absolutely no way of knowing if he was just being very prudent trying to have the guy available for the long haul.

Just a guess mind you and I'd like to have that minute back.

Better off reading the tea leaves if you want to play this game.

Need him in what way? If you mean that this was not a must win at all for NE with a 3-0 start, Id agree. If you meant that BB knew his offense would be fine and that they wouldnt need the additional weapon, I would disagree strongly. BB didnt KNOW THAT before the game... but in context of a long season, Maroney was not NEEDED last night for NE to win a super bowl.

He may not have "KNOWN" that he wouldn't need Maroney, but given Cincy's horrible defensive state (LBs dropping like flies when they weren't that great to begin with), he probably took a calculated gamble that Morris, Faulk and Evans could do enough in the running game so as not to hurt the Patriots. If they were playing the Colts or Cowboys yesterday, Maroney may have suited up. No need to risk Maroney last night - 30 points was a foregone conclusion no matter what.

 

[David Yudkin]

I think the REAL issues here are whether Maroney can stay healthy at all. The guy has not even had the full load and he can't stay on the field. At some point injury concerns become a real issue. With Morris running well and their complement of backs for roles (Faulk, Evans, Linemen catching TDs) it is not as if they need Maroney although he certainly brings a unique skill set to the table. But I wonder what his workload will be going forward,. even if healed.

My read on the Pats offense has not waivvered in 6 months. The Pats will have huge passing totals and will pass more at the goal line and that they many times would use a dink and dunk passing attack in running situations. In no way, shape, or form, did I see Maroney ever geting 15-20 TD as some people suggested. I also felt that the Pats would be ahead by 2 TD many games by halftime and would run the ball more in the second half--but Maroney would not get many of those carries.I also suggested that the Pats would treat him with kid gloves and not push him if they didn't need to. They have been clicking without needing him to be a major producer, and they need him to stay fresh for the playoffs and another SB run. I also felt that they would limit him to 15-18 carries with a max of about 20 carries in a game.That being said, they haven't needed him and have done just fine without him. I believe the plan all along was to give Maroney more work as the season progressed (at least in terms of the more important carries in each game, not so much the total number of carries).Maroney's game is more outside the tackles than up the gut, and early on the Pats have been mostly running inside and grinding it out. Maroney is not great at creating sometihng out of nothing, jukes around too much behind the line, and has yet to learn that dropping a shoulder and ploying people for 2-3 yards is better than a 3 yard loss.At this point, Maroney looks to be a better NFL player with potential than a fantasy stud with mega TD ability. I felt all along that Manoey would probably get 85-90 total yards per game when he played and maybe a TD every other game with an upside of 1500 total yards and 10 total TD. The TDs look dim at this point, and we'll have to see how long he's out to see what he'll get for yardage. But no recptions + no TD = fantasy disappointment.

 

[TommyGilmore]

Problem with New England is twofold.

First, you can't get an accurate read on Maroney vs Morris and the injury situation (it's like Denver all over again) and second, New England loves to throw the ball so much that even when they're up they'll throw for TD's and keep throwing when they should be running out the clock by running the ball.

I saw Morris last night and he looks pretty good too but when would I know that playing him won't get me a goose egg?

That's why I'm gonna stay away from a very talented looking Morris.

Patriots through week 4:141 rushes

120 passes

More rushes than passes doesn't necessarily mean they don't love to throw the ball.

Around 35 rushing attempts per game -- That's #2 in the NFL this season. 30 passing attempts per game -- That's #23 in the NFL this season.

It's not that they "love to throw the ball" per se. Just that their passing attack is BY FAR the most efficient in the league so far.

#23 in attempts, #5 in completions, #1 in TDs.

 

[Jefferson the Caregiver]

Impossible to say, why bother guessing.

Did Belichick need Maroney last night? Hardly. So there is absolutely no way of knowing if he was just being very prudent trying to have the guy available for the long haul.

Just a guess mind you and I'd like to have that minute back.

Better off reading the tea leaves if you want to play this game.

Need him in what way? If you mean that this was not a must win at all for NE with a 3-0 start, Id agree. If you meant that BB knew his offense would be fine and that they wouldnt need the additional weapon, I would disagree strongly. BB didnt KNOW THAT before the game... but in context of a long season, Maroney was not NEEDED last night for NE to win a super bowl.

I think Belichick can cap football better than any of us. Yes, I believe he knew his offense would be fine and that they were going to be able to score when they wanted to. No reason to risk a banged up player.

 

[Koya]

Impossible to say, why bother guessing.

Did Belichick need Maroney last night? Hardly. So there is absolutely no way of knowing if he was just being very prudent trying to have the guy available for the long haul.

Just a guess mind you and I'd like to have that minute back.

Better off reading the tea leaves if you want to play this game.

Need him in what way? If you mean that this was not a must win at all for NE with a 3-0 start, Id agree. If you meant that BB knew his offense would be fine and that they wouldnt need the additional weapon, I would disagree strongly. BB didnt KNOW THAT before the game... but in context of a long season, Maroney was not NEEDED last night for NE to win a super bowl.

I think Belichick can cap football better than any of us. Yes, I believe he knew his offense would be fine and that they were going to be able to score when they wanted to. No reason to risk a banged up player.

I think Belichick also wants to win more than any of us. If Maroney could have gone without risking further injury, I don't see him sitting it out because BB figured he could "win anyway" - this is someone who is willing to do just about any and everything to win. Plus, he knows he has a competent relief/backup core.Its hard to buy that BB figured he could win anyway so no need for Maroney. It's just that Maroney was simply hurt enough to not be able to contribute.

 

[TheFanatic]

I would think that NE would want Maroney 100% healed for the Dallas game in two weeks. That and given how Morris looked yesterday, I could see the Pats sitting him again next week.:hopefulMorrisowner:

This is the way I see it. Cinci is not Dallas. Cleveland is not Dallas. Morris can probably carve up Cleveland pretty easily and give Maroney another week to heal. Then they play the game time decision thing to keep Dallas guessing and Maroney comes back and plays well...

 

[Superbowl Shuffle]

So is Morris a sell-high now after week 4, or do you wait another week?

 

[Koya]

So is Morris a sell-high now after week 4, or do you wait another week?

I don't think Morris holds that much value to be honest, except for the owner of Maroney. Perception is he is a backup and will only have another week, if that, to start.If anything, hold onto Morris in the case that Maroney's injury really is worse than advertised. At the least you will have a very good start some weeks and the potential for even better value down the road.

 

[Ted Lange as your Bartender]

So is Morris a sell-high now after week 4, or do you wait another week?

I wouldn't sell Morris - his trade value will always be limited by the presence of Maroney, and he's averaging 10-13 points a game, even with Maroney playing, and will probably still be the GL back even when Maroney plays. Better to hold short-term, especially during the height of bye week replacement season.

 

[Neil Beaufort Zod]

So is Morris a sell-high now after week 4, or do you wait another week?

Morris is the kind of backup that could actually be a bye-week fill-in. Even if maroney is healthy, he gets enough carries and TD chances that you could conceivably start him. Plus, the team has confidence in him if there's a problem with Maroney. I think he has plenty of value to non-Maroney owners.I think selling "high" is really selling at value, which is kind of high. He's a good option on what could be the league's best team who performs when called upon.

 

[David Yudkin]

For those poo-pooing Morris, he currently is the #18 ranked RB and is on pace for almost 1200 yards and 12 TD. While I doubt he'll keep that pace up, I don't think he will tank and could still be a borderline RB2 and excellent RB3/FLEX play.

Bottom line, he's not the waiver wire fodder that some people are suggesting he is. He's not a pure backup, as he will continue to see 10-12 touches a week even with a healthy Maroney around.

 

[Ted Lange as your Bartender]

For those poo-pooing Morris, he currently is the #18 ranked RB and is on pace for almost 1200 yards and 12 TD. While I doubt he'll keep that pace up, I don't think he will tank and could still be a borderline RB2 and excellent RB3/FLEX play.Bottom line, he's not the waiver wire fodder that some people are suggesting he is. He's not a pure backup, as he will continue to see 10-12 touches a week even with a healthy Maroney around.

Agreed - but the general perception of Morris among the masses is "backup RB". So, I see him as a solid Hold/Buy candiate, not a Sell.