Lawrence Maroney Shoulder joint issue? (1 Viewer)

[Davej626]

Boston Herald

RB’s shoulder a burden: ‘Significant damage’ to Maroney’s joint

By John Tomase

Boston Herald Sports Writer

Monday, March 26, 2007 - Updated: 01:38 AM EST

PHOENIX - Patriots [team stats] running back Laurence Maroney [stats] had offseason shoulder surgery that revealed “fairly significant damage,” according to a league source, though the long-term impact is unclear.

Maroney felt shoulder pain down the stretch and in the playoffs that limited his ability to absorb contact. He underwent exploratory surgery that revealed more damage than anticipated, and corrective surgery was performed.

The exact nature of his injury is unclear, though it was enough to land Maroney in a sling. Team spokesman Stacey James could not confirm last night if Maroney is taking part in the team’s offseason conditioning program.

The surgery is just the latest physical setback for the running back, who also suffered torn rib cartilage and a minor knee sprain during the season. With veteran Corey Dillon [stats] cut at the start of free agency, Maroney will enter the season as the lead back.

He didn’t appear completely healthy in the playoffs. After averaging 4.3 yards per carry during the season, Maroney gained just 87 yards on 31 carries in the postseason (2.8). He carried 13 times for 18 yards in playoff games vs. San Diego and Indianapolis, fumbling in the red zone against the Chargers after coughing the ball up just once in 175 carries during the season.

A hard-nosed runner out of Minnesota, the 5-foot-11, 220-pounder appealed to the Patriots because of the way he combined speed with toughness. In college, Maroney was well schooled in the Walter Payton drill, a gauntlet created by the Gophers coaching staff that taught runners to lower their shoulder and gain extra yards rather than step out of bounds.

Maroney exhibited such fearlessness during the season, but his health was occasionally an issue.

He hurt his knee in the next-to-last exhibition game and sat out the exhibition finale. He was ready to go for the season, however, and recorded his only 100-yard game in Week 4 against the Bengals.

Maroney remained healthy until Week 13 against the Lions, when he was injured in the first quarter of a 28-21 victory. He tore rib cartilage while absorbing a jarring hit from safety Terrence Holt.

He missed the next two games, but returned to rush 20 times for 121 yards in the final two games of the regular season, scoring two touchdowns. He rushed 175 times for 745 yards in the regular season.

 

[Silver & Black]

What a bummer on a Monday morning as I am drinking my first cup of coffee.

 

[Boston]

This is kind of a good news/bad news situation. Obviously the injury is bad news. That's pretty apparent. The good news is it makes his unproductive finish to the season more understandable since it looks like the injury was far worse than we knew.

I have felt all along the RB was the x-factor in the Pats draft. I could see them using a #1 or not even drafting one. It will be interesting to see if this has any influence on their draft day decisions.

 

[Blackhawk 69]

Bummer for sure.

Thanks Dave.

 

[FavreCo]

No big deal. Frank Gore had 'major' surgery on BOTH shoulders over the offseason last year. They wanted him to go on IR at the end of 2005 to fix the damage he had.

http://www.realfootball365.com/nfl/article...gore120906.html

Gore gives the 49ers hope for the future, but one serious question remains about this young talent. That question is one of durability. Gore has two surgically reconstructed knees and underwent major shoulder surgery on both his shoulders this past offseason. Although the 49ers can be confident in Gore when he is on the field, questions still remain regarding his ability to stay on the field. In the meantime, though, the team will continue to bank on him for a large share of its offensive production.

 

[fruity pebbles]

Surprised the Pats never went after a complimentary back in their offseason endeavors. Maroney was injured quite a bit last year in part time duty. I wouldn't want to pencil him in for 300+ carries but who knows.

 

[vasco75]

Surprised the Pats never went after a complimentary back in their offseason endeavors. Maroney was injured quite a bit last year in part time duty. I wouldn't want to pencil him in for 300+ carries but who knows.

Sammy Morris??

 

[fruity pebbles]

Surprised the Pats never went after a complimentary back in their offseason endeavors. Maroney was injured quite a bit last year in part time duty. I wouldn't want to pencil him in for 300+ carries but who knows.

Sammy Morris??

somebody good. there were enough guys available. you could pretty much get good RBs for nothing this offseason.

 

[lions327]

Surprised the Pats never went after a complimentary back in their offseason endeavors. Maroney was injured quite a bit last year in part time duty. I wouldn't want to pencil him in for 300+ carries but who knows.

Maybe not going after one indicates they aren't too concerned about the injury.

 

[fruity pebbles]

Surprised the Pats never went after a complimentary back in their offseason endeavors. Maroney was injured quite a bit last year in part time duty. I wouldn't want to pencil him in for 300+ carries but who knows.

Maybe not going after one indicates they aren't too concerned about the injury.

I'm not even referring to just this injury. He had 3-4 different ones last year with a half workload.

 

[Boston]

Surprised the Pats never went after a complimentary back in their offseason endeavors. Maroney was injured quite a bit last year in part time duty. I wouldn't want to pencil him in for 300+ carries but who knows.

Sammy Morris??

somebody good. there were enough guys available. you could pretty much get good RBs for nothing this offseason.

The draft is a pretty big part of offseason acquisitions.

 

[TD Ryan]

Surprised the Pats never went after a complimentary back in their offseason endeavors. Maroney was injured quite a bit last year in part time duty. I wouldn't want to pencil him in for 300+ carries but who knows.

this "part time" duty notion is misleading.In addition to being 1/2 of the RBBC with Dillon, Maroney was the FULL TIME kick returner... and the job as a kick (or punt) returner is the most punishing/dangerous job on the field.Sure, Maroney was a rookie, came into the league a little "underdeveloped" (for NFL standards), and probably did hit a rookie-wall. But he wasn't a part time player as some of the fantasy-stats-only crowd likes to think. He was a full time football player that didn't make it thru the season healthy.

 

[noneother]

aw shux.. says the Portis, Maroney, and AD Peterson owner,,, has Stephen jackson had shoulder issues too? is it just MY team?

at least it aint the knees or "turf toe"

 

[identikit]

Surprised the Pats never went after a complimentary back in their offseason endeavors. Maroney was injured quite a bit last year in part time duty. I wouldn't want to pencil him in for 300+ carries but who knows.

this "part time" duty notion is misleading.In addition to being 1/2 of the RBBC with Dillon, Maroney was the FULL TIME kick returner... and the job as a kick (or punt) returner is the most punishing/dangerous job on the field.

Sure, Maroney was a rookie, came into the league a little "underdeveloped" (for NFL standards), and probably did hit a rookie-wall. But he wasn't a part time player as some of the fantasy-stats-only crowd likes to think. He was a full time football player that didn't make it thru the season healthy.

Excellent point!With Wes Welker signing with NE, I don't see Maroney performing return duties in 2007.

Id

 

[redman]

Surprised the Pats never went after a complimentary back in their offseason endeavors. Maroney was injured quite a bit last year in part time duty. I wouldn't want to pencil him in for 300+ carries but who knows.

Maybe not going after one indicates they aren't too concerned about the injury.

I think this is the right way to look at this. Nobody knew better than the Pats what his injuries were like and yet they sank a huge amount of $$$ into players at other positions. I think they expect a full recovery and figure that none of these injuries were indicative of chronic problems.

 

[BigJim®]

I've always love Maroney's skills as a Gopher homer, but as mentioned in last year's rookie RB debates, his injuries are not surprising to me. When healthy he's dynamic, but would anyone care to take "over 4" on "games played w/starter-carries before injury"?

 

[LHUCKS]

Maroney will be fine...the Pats wouldn't have let go of Dillon if they felt otherwise.

 

[Gatorman]

Surprised the Pats never went after a complimentary back in their offseason endeavors. Maroney was injured quite a bit last year in part time duty. I wouldn't want to pencil him in for 300+ carries but who knows.

Sammy Morris??

somebody good. there were enough guys available. you could pretty much get good RBs for nothing this offseason.

Underestimate sammy morris at your own perilSigned,A dolphin fan

 

[Holy Roller]

Surprised the Pats never went after a complimentary back in their offseason endeavors. Maroney was injured quite a bit last year in part time duty. I wouldn't want to pencil him in for 300+ carries but who knows.

Maybe not going after one indicates they aren't too concerned about the injury.

I think this is the right way to look at this. Nobody knew better than the Pats what his injuries were like and yet they sank a huge amount of $$$ into players at other positions. I think they expect a full recovery and figure that none of these injuries were indicative of chronic problems.

Could it simply be that the Pats are as surprised by this as anyone else?? The article says that the explorative surgery revealed more damage than anticipated. I would assume that means the doctors, Maroney and the team all thought it wasn't as significant as they found. Those things happen. Now I'm not saying the sky is falling for guys with Maroney on their team, but I DO think it's plausible that the team was moving forward with the idea that the shoulder injury wasn't as serious as it really was. They just didn't know at the time. What seems important IMO is how the team now reacts moving forward through the draft and FA.

 

[TD Ryan]

Excellent point!With Wes Welker signing with NE, I don't see Maroney performing return duties in 2007.Id

this is part of the reason that NE homers are (were) so excited about the Welker signing. It's just another sign that NE is ready to give the feature RB role to Maroney.And, I've posted this in the past, but I'll post it again here because it seems relevant:- Most of the NE fans who saw Maroney in person last year felt that he was "small" by NFL standards. The kid has a good sized frame, it just wasn't filled out very well. Seeing Maroney standing next to other "small" NFL players (Troy Brown, Hank Poteat) Maroney looked like a child. His body wasn't as cut and ripped as those NFL vets (especially the toothpick-calves). I imagine that with a full year of NFL training under his belt, Maroney will be a bit more ripped and prepared for the NFL level.Despite his lack of "size" (I'm using that word carefully because his frame is decent, he just isn't ripped), Maroney still showed good power early in the season (before injuries).I'm not proclaiming that he's going to be an All-Pro, but I expect him to have a decent season and really we all need more information before anyone can label him stud/bust/or injury prone.For those just focusing on fantasy stats, what's intriguing about Maroney is that NE has hinted that they will change up their blocking scheme a bit to get Maroney into more space. Then add in how much praise Belichick gave Maroney for his pass catching skills... if Belichick didn't believe in Maroney's hands, the kid would never have been back returning kicks... so I expect Maroney to tally up some catches too. And you could make the argument the the "dink and dunk" Brady is the perfect QB to help pad Maroney's stats.IF he stays healthy? look for maybe 1400 - 1500 total yards (1100 rush, 350 receive) and 12 or so TDs?and the nice thing about the Sammy Morris signing is that Morris appears to be the type of guy who can fill in as a starter for a game or two. If Maroney's nicked, Morris and K Faulk may be able to fill in and allow Maroney to "just get healthy" and avoid the re-injury or season long nagging injury. The point being that *IF* Maroney isn't 100%, NE may be in a position to just sit him.

 

[Ron_Mexico]

Surprised the Pats never went after a complimentary back in their offseason endeavors. Maroney was injured quite a bit last year in part time duty. I wouldn't want to pencil him in for 300+ carries but who knows.

Sammy Morris??

somebody good. there were enough guys available. you could pretty much get good RBs for nothing this offseason.

At this point in their respective careers,I would rather have Sammy Morris than Dillon.

 

[prymetyme25]

this is why i dont like having Patriots on my team. they'll report a guy with a foot sprain, then next thing you know he tore his acls in both knees.

 

[Davej626]

Surprised the Pats never went after a complimentary back in their offseason endeavors. Maroney was injured quite a bit last year in part time duty. I wouldn't want to pencil him in for 300+ carries but who knows.

Maybe not going after one indicates they aren't too concerned about the injury.

I think this is the right way to look at this. Nobody knew better than the Pats what his injuries were like and yet they sank a huge amount of $$$ into players at other positions. I think they expect a full recovery and figure that none of these injuries were indicative of chronic problems.

Could it simply be that the Pats are as surprised by this as anyone else??

No. Bill would know. Bill knows Everything.

 

[TD Ryan]

I wouldn't want to pencil him in for 300+ carries but who knows.

and that may not be an unfair statement.maybe it won't be 300+ carries, but 300 "touches" may not be out of the question.consider that Maroney had 225 "touches" in his rookie year (175 rush, 22rec, 28 return).

 

[BigJim®]

Maroney will be fine...the Pats wouldn't have let go of Dillon if they felt otherwise.

I think the relationship with Dillon was more complicated than this statement would suggest. Dillon was an overpaid RB who was clearly in decline physically, and seemingly not happy being considered a second fiddle RB in a RBBC. IMHO parting ways with Dillon was more a reflection on Dillon than Maroney.

 

[LHUCKS]

Maroney will be fine...the Pats wouldn't have let go of Dillon if they felt otherwise.

I think the relationship with Dillon was more complicated than this statement would suggest. Dillon was an overpaid RB who was clearly in decline physically, and seemingly not happy being considered a second fiddle RB in a RBBC. IMHO parting ways with Dillon was more a reflection on Dillon than Maroney.

Dillon parted ways with the Pats, not the other way around.

 

[BigSteelThrill]

Maroney will be fine...the Pats wouldn't have let go of Dillon if they felt otherwise.

They didnt want to let Dillon go. They were forced. He said he would retire if they kept him around to be a spot duty/back up player.

 

[LHUCKS]

Maroney will be fine...the Pats wouldn't have let go of Dillon if they felt otherwise.

They didnt want to let Dillon go. They were forced. He said he would retire if they kept him around to be a spot duty/back up player.

That was after they put limitations on his playing time.

 

[BigSteelThrill]

Maroney will be fine...the Pats wouldn't have let go of Dillon if they felt otherwise.

They didnt want to let Dillon go. They were forced. He said he would retire if they kept him around to be a spot duty/back up player.

That was after they put limitations on his playing time.

Correct, he would have stayed if they let him remain the starter. When Maroney was getting the job as starter, he said I want out.

 

[TD Ryan]

Dillon's cap number was over $4mil this season.

NE wanted to keep Dillon at a reasonable price; $4mil for an aging, part time RB was not a good price.

 

[Todem]

this is why i dont like having Patriots on my team. they'll report a guy with a foot sprain, then next thing you know he tore his acls in both knees.

It is because of this that other than Tom Brady I will never own a Pat's player as long as Bill is at the helm. What a jack ###.But he has the rings.

 

[BigJim®]

Maroney will be fine...the Pats wouldn't have let go of Dillon if they felt otherwise.

I think the relationship with Dillon was more complicated than this statement would suggest. Dillon was an overpaid RB who was clearly in decline physically, and seemingly not happy being considered a second fiddle RB in a RBBC. IMHO parting ways with Dillon was more a reflection on Dillon than Maroney.

Dillon parted ways with the Pats, not the other way around.

That's semantics and not really addressing the point. In reality their options were to pay Dillon a starter's money to be unhappy in a RBBC, or to let him go. This is why I said your first statement was a simplification of what "letting him go" indicates; It indicates Dillon is not a starter and shouldn't be paid as a starter. That doesn't mean Maroney is fine. Now, if the Pats don't replace Dillon with a viable RB to push Maroney, and sally forth into the 2007 season with a guy like Sammy Morris at #2 RB, that will indicate to me that Maroney is fine. We are a long offseason from that point, however.

 

[Frank Black]

Maroney will be fine...the Pats wouldn't have let go of Dillon if they felt otherwise.

I think the relationship with Dillon was more complicated than this statement would suggest. Dillon was an overpaid RB who was clearly in decline physically, and seemingly not happy being considered a second fiddle RB in a RBBC. IMHO parting ways with Dillon was more a reflection on Dillon than Maroney.

Dillon parted ways with the Pats, not the other way around.

That's semantics and not really addressing the point. In reality their options were to pay Dillon a starter's money to be unhappy in a RBBC, or to let him go. This is why I said your first statement was a simplification of what "letting him go" indicates; It indicates Dillon is not a starter and shouldn't be paid as a starter. That doesn't mean Maroney is fine. Now, if the Pats don't replace Dillon with a viable RB to push Maroney, and sally forth into the 2007 season with a guy like Sammy Morris at #2 RB, that will indicate to me that Maroney is fine. We are a long offseason from that point, however.

 

[LHUCKS]

Maroney will be fine...the Pats wouldn't have let go of Dillon if they felt otherwise.

I think the relationship with Dillon was more complicated than this statement would suggest. Dillon was an overpaid RB who was clearly in decline physically, and seemingly not happy being considered a second fiddle RB in a RBBC. IMHO parting ways with Dillon was more a reflection on Dillon than Maroney.

Dillon parted ways with the Pats, not the other way around.

That's semantics and not really addressing the point. In reality their options were to pay Dillon a starter's money to be unhappy in a RBBC, or to let him go. This is why I said your first statement was a simplification of what "letting him go" indicates; It indicates Dillon is not a starter and shouldn't be paid as a starter. That doesn't mean Maroney is fine. Now, if the Pats don't replace Dillon with a viable RB to push Maroney, and sally forth into the 2007 season with a guy like Sammy Morris at #2 RB, that will indicate to me that Maroney is fine. We are a long offseason from that point, however.

Well, back to my original opinion I think they could have made a stronger play for Dillon without stating he would be the unquestioned starter. I think they would have made that play if there was any real concern about Maroney's health.I doubt seriously the Pats make a play for another big name RB, but I've been wrong before.

 

[Bob Magaw]

NE won with the stellar combo of antowain smith & kevin faulk in the past...

 

[TD Ryan]

Well, back to my original opinion I think they could have made a stronger play for Dillon without stating he would be the unquestioned starter.

I don't think there was much of a "play" to be made at all.Dillon was on the books thru this year ('07) and next year ('08). This year, he carried a $4,422,500 cap hit, next year he carried a $3,845,000 cap hit.There's no way Dillon was worth 4.4mil.Dillon was not interested in re-structuring and by releasing him when they did, NE's "dead money" in Dillon will drop in June from that $4.4mil down to $1.9mil. By releasing Dillon, NE will save almost $3mil. in cap space.And, after all that, Dillon himself is considering retiring. Dillon doesn't even see himself as a "feature" rb anymore.

 

[kensat30]

Maybe I'm a glass half full guy, but I think this is positive news. I was wondering why Maroney looked so ineffective during the playoffs when he was running like a beast early in the regular season. Now we know he was playing hurt. "Significant damage" and he played through it, I like the toughness.

 

[wadegarrett]

Maroney will still be a monster this year.

 

[Ron_Mexico]

I wouldn't be surprised to see the

Pats make a run at Lorenzo Booker.

 

[ThePittbully]

I wouldn't be surprised to see thePats make a run at Lorenzo Booker.

brian leonard

 

[nygiants56]

What a bummer on a Monday morning as I am drinking my first cup of coffee.

look at the Pats sitting there with two first round picks, and Michael Turner sitting all alone....hmmm.pull the trigger Bellichick! - written by a Turner owner..

 

[fruity pebbles]

What a bummer on a Monday morning as I am drinking my first cup of coffee.

look at the Pats sitting there with two first round picks, and Michael Turner sitting all alone....hmmm.pull the trigger Bellichick! - written by a Turner owner..

Why would you want Turner in a full fledged RBBC.

 

[Patoons]

What a bummer on a Monday morning as I am drinking my first cup of coffee.

look at the Pats sitting there with two first round picks, and Michael Turner sitting all alone....hmmm.pull the trigger Bellichick! - written by a Turner owner..

Why would you want Turner in a full fledged RBBC.

Becuase then they could use two of three first rounders on their RB position.... sounds consitent with Belicheck's philosophy

 

[KellysHeroes]

Well, back to my original opinion I think they could have made a stronger play for Dillon without stating he would be the unquestioned starter. I think they would have made that play if there was any real concern about Maroney's health.I doubt seriously the Pats make a play for another big name RB, but I've been wrong before.

Maroney owner here in 1 dynasty...Its still way too early to make anything of this; hes only 21 or 22 yrs old.. at that age; rehad is real easy and real fast..If NE was worry about this injury.. they would of resigned Dillon or some other Vet Back besides Morris..The fact that the return duties will be split between Walker and Morris is a good sign..and I doubt they take an RB on Day 1 w/ them already having Maroney, Morris, and Faulk... as their RBsHe's value is still the same right now in my eyes.. Mid to late 1st in Dynasty

 

[Workhorse]

Tempest in a teapot. He'll be fine.

http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patr...up_and_running/

 

[KellysHeroes]

250 too 300 carries.. about 1200 yds, 8 too 10 TDs

 

[fruity pebbles]

I wish they would reveal what kind of surgery it was.

 

[Keith Lewis]

Tempest in a teapot. He'll be fine.

http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patr...up_and_running/

Thank you for this post. (Maroney dynasty owner).

 

[Workhorse]

I wish they would reveal what kind of surgery it was.

Article says it was outpatient. My guess? He had it scoped for some torn cartilege.

 

[fruity pebbles]

I wish they would reveal what kind of surgery it was.

Article says it was outpatient. My guess? He had it scoped for some torn cartilege.

Doesn't mean much. Most shoulder surgeries are outpatient unless it's a total rebuild or the pateint has an anesthesia reaction.