Looks like the Pats may want to consider a RB with one of their top picks. Sure explains why he tailed off so much towards the end of last year.... http://patriots.bostonherald.com/patriots/view.bg?articleid=190898 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. jtomase@bostonherald.com.
At this point, I think it's fair to say that running back is as big, if not a bigger need for the Patriots than any position is for the Jets.
Just a thought, with all of their available picks I wonder if the Pats get into the Michael Turner sweepstakes (although I still think he will end up with the Bills personally, maybe as part of the Spikes trade, JMHO).....
I don't think the Pats want Turner. Belichik wants an all-purpose back who does not limit offensive play-calling by his presence. Maroney having surgery is a positive sign for the Jets of course. Any chink in the armor increases the chances the Pat will begin to degrade. Especially after signing some mid to late prime free agents.
The Boston Globe is reporting his surgery will NOT effect the upcoming season for Maroney. The rumor is it was that shoulder condition that allows your shoulder to pop in and out of place. He had the problem since college apparently, and the surgery will take care of the problem for good. My buddy had the surgery actually, it is not a big deal and very common amoung nfl players. Tomase is a rumor monger and that article is worded to sell papers. I do not think they would have showed Corey the door as quick if they had any questions about Maroney. He had surgery right after the season so they knew the deal long ago. Boston Globe .com March 26, 2007 Welcome to Phoenix PHOENIX -- Welcome to Phoenix, where the NFL's annual meeting is being held at the Arizona Biltmore. The NFL has issued about 200 media credentials for this "event". Over the next three days, owners will vote on rule change proposals and commissioner Roger Goodell is expected to announce a revision to the league's personal conduct policy, with harsher penalties on players who have problems with the law. From a Patriots perspective, chariman/CEO Robert Kraft and president Jonathan Kraft are here for the meetings. Head coach Bill Belichick, who is not scheduled to attend, shared some of his thoughts on a few rule-change proposals in Sunday's Boston Globe. Vice President of Player Personnel Scott Pioli and General Counsel/Player Personnel man Jack Mula are in attendance. On the news front, running back Laurence Maroney underwent shoulder surgery after the AFC Championship Game. That Maroney underwent surgery was first reported by the Boston Herald, and has been confirmed. Maroney will naturally be limited in the team's offseason program, but the injury isn't expected to threaten his 2007 season. Posted By: mreiss | Time:
I want to see what Maroney can do ALL BY HIMSELF...throughout college he had someone else to go in to spell and on the Pats he had Corey Dillon to pound the linemen and linebackers and he would go in and run on a tired team.
Did you watch him play when he was healthy? Did you know he lead the leauge in kick return yards before he was hurt also? The kid is going to be a very good back. This surgery is not going to effect his season. According to the globe anyway. Dill was a shadow of his former self last year. He didnt pound much of anything.
Kind of like Thomas Jones and Cedric Benson? Remember, Jones has had his best numbers since coming to the Bears. He was pretty average in Arizona.
NO I am not in love with the guy. What are you yet another homer? I asked how you felt a kid who led the leauge in kick return yards, has shown big play ability, and during his season showed flashes of a great running back to come. When he got hurt he ob did not play as well. After he missed those three games. When he starts the season healthy with a year under his belt I think he is going to be a good back. Same way you think you are not sure he will. I stated his injury would not effect his season because it could have effected his season making what you said more likley to happen. The globe is reporting it will not effect him and he will be at camp.
Boston Globe .com March 26, 2007 Welcome to Phoenix PHOENIX -- Welcome to Phoenix, where the NFL's annual meeting is being held at the Arizona Biltmore. The NFL has issued about 200 media credentials for this "event". Over the next three days, owners will vote on rule change proposals and commissioner Roger Goodell is expected to announce a revision to the league's personal conduct policy, with harsher penalties on players who have problems with the law. From a Patriots perspective, chariman/CEO Robert Kraft and president Jonathan Kraft are here for the meetings. Head coach Bill Belichick, who is not scheduled to attend, shared some of his thoughts on a few rule-change proposals in Sunday's Boston Globe. Vice President of Player Personnel Scott Pioli and General Counsel/Player Personnel man Jack Mula are in attendance. On the news front, running back Laurence Maroney underwent shoulder surgery after the AFC Championship Game. That Maroney underwent surgery was first reported by the Boston Herald, and has been confirmed. Maroney will naturally be limited in the team's offseason program, but the injury isn't expected to threaten his 2007 season.
Who isn't average w/ the Cardinals? Jones was great in his first year w/ the Bears before Benson. The following offseason, the selection of Benson was highly criticized throughout Chicago and the media, as Jones was still relatively young and had an extremely productive season. The Bears obviously have questionable management and this selection fell within that spectrum. The logic behind the move was that Lovie Smith wanted a power runner like Benson who fit his conservative gameplans alttle better than Jones.
Maroney underwent shoulder surgery Laurence Maroney underwent shoulder surgery this off season that revealed "fairly significant damage," according to the Boston Herald. The pain reportedly bothered Maroney down the stretch and could explain his weak effort late in the year. The Patriots obviously knew about the surgery, yet still let go of Corey Dillon - which is a good sign for Maroney's recovery. It's uncertain when he'll be ready to return to the field. Mar. 26 - 9:09 am et Source: Boston Herald ats_suck:
Because the patsies let Corey Dillon go and they don't know how successful this surgery went. They could've just screwed themselves. Thats why. Not because he's injured. But because the mismanagement could've screwed them.
I am just kidding with you. We don't know if Maroney can carry the load with or without a bad shoulder. We will find out soon though.
