At this point, I have a standard answer for whenever someone asks me about Laurence Maroney: Be my guest. One friend e-mailed to tell me how badly he needs a running back to fill in this week, because Willis McGahee has become irrelevant. He asked me what I thought about Maroney in his situation. My reply: Be my guest. Another e-mailer pointed out that Maroney just whipped a bad defense and gets to play another. My reply: Be my guest. The eternal optimist might note Maroney is still only 24 years old and still has time to reach his potential. Yes, he is only 24. Be my guest.
If you haven't been burned by Maroney, you just don't know the frustration that comes with owning him. Blame Bill Belichick's philosophy of using his running backs as disposable parts, if you want, but Maroney is the one who hasn't seized opportunity numerous times since a tantalizing start and finish to his 2006 rookie season. The following season, he did little for half of it, only to score four touchdowns in December. Most people had given up on him by then, only to be forced to get interested again in 2008 drafts. He barely played that season due to injury, and he was a nonfactor for five weeks this season. Injuries and what has been perceived as a cautious style of play (to avoid more injuries) generally have been the culprits. There's considerable talent lurking here, and it was on display in Week 6 when Maroney ran over a second-rate Tennessee Titans defense.
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Eric Karabell
