Hot Seat: Laurence Maroney
Judging by emails, no top running back is causing their owners to panic like Laurence Maroney. I can understand Reggie Bush owners' consternation, but I am not worried about Maroney long-term.
Many point towards Sammy Morris' big role in the offense, but the Patriots have won two blowouts and have the luxury to spread the ball around. Maroney was never going to be a RB1 that racks up 350 carries.
Maroney had a carry at the five-yard line late in Sunday night's game. He reached the three, then the Patriots brought in Sammy Morris on fourth down to score the touchdown. Owners wouldn't be trying to deal Maroney if he had scored on that play, even though luck plays such a huge part in the outcome.
Maroney is a highly skilled young starting running back on one of the elite offenses in football. He's averaging 4.3 yards-per-carry. Maroney may not rack up carries and touchdowns like a top-five running back, but that's why he was a borderline RB1. He'll get his yards and his share of scores. The Patriots will focus on the run more during some games; buy low if you can.
Comments
Love ya Greg but Disagree with you here my man - Fact is Morris IS a factor in that he is a better short yardage runner - and the fact is -Maroney is not the goal ine back and doesn't catch the ball-if you can get ONE good game then SELL QUICKLY. HE is a middle of the road RB2.
Posted by: Scott | September 18, 2007 11:01 PM
I'm trying to get Reggie Bush cheaply in my 12 team PPR league and offered J. Lewis, Roy Williams, R. Curry, and B. Jackson for T. Henry, Santana Moss, and R. Bush. My roster would then be:
QBs: D. McNNabb, D. Garrard
RBs: F. Gore, T. Henry, T. Jones, R. Bush
WRs: Ch. Johnson, R. Wayne, Santana Moss, S. McDonald, Jacoby Jones, James Jones
TEs: K. Winslow
K: S. Gostkowski
DEF: Rotate depending on matchup
Who wins on the trade? Thanks.
Posted by: Joe | September 18, 2007 11:19 PM
why don't you just go ahead and swap teams?
Posted by: The Dox | September 18, 2007 11:35 PM
I wouldn't go panicking just because a guy who was injured in the preseason didn't put up good numbers against one of the best run defenses in the league while Brady and the passing game went to town.
Wait and see what he can do against Buffalo (177 rush yards/game against) and Cincy (166 rush yards/game against) before you go bailing on him.
Posted by: Kessler | September 19, 2007 09:05 AM
Bush scares me to death. He claimed to have been working on the dancing in California during the off season but still doesn't get the ball and go. He appears to really lack the size and aggressiveness to grind out carries game in and out. Week 1 against Indy, he took a run up the middle and looked like he was fearing for his life. He hasn't looked great out of the backfield either and it is beginning to look like he is no closer to getting any of it figured out than last year. (He actually looked better in the beginning of last year than he does this year) I know the saints look dreadful but he shows no signs of improvement.
Posted by: Goldy | September 19, 2007 09:30 AM
Bush is a great buy low guy - he will be fine. Of note also HE and not deuce got the ball at the 1 - and by the way he reached the ball out and broke the plain but was ruled down at the 1/2 yd line then the FB took it in. Reggie is gonna be fine. Esp if it is a PPR league. He will be back on the turf this week - thats a good thing.
Posted by: Scott | September 19, 2007 09:35 AM
Who would you rather have going forward: Reggie Bush or Maroney?
Just curious.
Posted by: Drav | September 19, 2007 09:45 AM