"Why, were people talking about that?" he said, with a glint in his eye. "I didn't pay no mind to any of it."
That's because he had already made a decision earlier in the week when he waved off media inquiries: better to show everyone than tell them about it ahead of time.
Last night, in the biggest moment of his professional career, Maroney said all he needed to say on the football field. The second-year back rushed for 122 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries, providing the perfect balance to another night of laser precision from franchise quarterback Tom Brady.
The Patriots were able to advance to the AFC Championship game with a 31-20 win because their young running back provided the explosive counterbalance to Brady's passes underneath.
"We knew coming in we were going to have to run 12 to 15 offensive plays to win this game," explained fullback Heath Evans. "To be honest, it kind of unfolded the way we thought it would."
But, for New England to implement that strategy, they needed production from Maroney, who has weathered criticism this season for running too upright, and for trying to run east to west instead of points due north.
"There were times when he got busted for not producing when he was running the ball just fine," Evans said. "And, during times when he did have troubles, you saw Kevin [Faulk] talking with him, and [running backs coach] Ivan [Fears] talking with him, and you could see he was willing to be taught. He was willing to learn.
"For the first half of the year, Tom and his receivers got it done. But at the most important time of the year, Laurence stepped up."
On Brady's first clear attempt at kick-starting his team (his first snap resulted in a sack), he dumped the ball off to Maroney, who scooted 33 yards. That play was longer than any Taylor or Jones-Drew would conjure up all evening. It was one of many key plays Maroney would make throughout the night.
