“Everybody has their own perspective about me. I was just trying to play hard and hopefully change people’s outlook on me and just go out there and run hard and make good, decisive reads and just take what I can get.’’
Another frequent criticism of Maroney has been his vision, but the much-maligned running back has no problem with his hearing. He has heard the critiques of his career, which is entering its fourth season. He runs too upright. He is too hesitant in hitting the hole. He can’t stay healthy. Those are not the type of perceptions that Maroney can outrun. He has to hit them head-on.
“You hear about it,’’ said Maroney. “It’s just that everybody wants to say hurt this and hurt that, fragile this. Unfortunately, I was dealt injuries my first two years in my career, so people are going to say what they want to say. All I can do is go out there and play.’’
That has been part of the problem for Maroney - he hasn’t always been able to play. He played in only three games last season after he injured the shoulder in Week 2 against the New York Jets and has yet to play a full 16-game slate in his career. He played in 14 games as rookie, sidelined by what was reported as a rib injury, and had offseason shoulder surgery. In 2007, he missed three games with a groin injury.
When Maroney has played, he has been productive, despite the perception of him as a player who hasn’t lived up to his billing as a 2006 first-round pick. On 388 career carries, he has rushed for 1,673 yards, an average of 4.3 yards per carry, with 12 touchdowns.
That’s a good season for an elite NFL running back like Adrian Peterson.
Maroney hasn’t proven to be that type of feature back thus far. But the Patriots have had a running back-by-committee approach the last few seasons, and that doesn’t figure to change with veteran Fred Taylor joining Maroney, Sammy Morris, Kevin Faulk, and BenJarvus Green-Ellis in a crowded backfield.
The 24-year-old Maroney still believes he can be a feature back but is mature enough to realize he doesn’t have to be one in New England right now.
