"In a way, Laurence Maroney thinks just like those fans who still grumble about him. One fumble really does ruin an otherwise positive performance.

The Patriots running back is in the midst of one of his most productive stretches in years, having scored six touchdowns with 254 yards rushing in his last four games. But he's also fumbled three times in the last three games.

Asked how he comes to grips with his performance, Maroney left no doubt.

"That one fumble really takes away all the good plays you've been making the whole game. Nothing is worse than a fumble or interception," Maroney said. "I felt like I had to go make more plays to get people's mind off the fumble."

In Monday night's 38-17 loss to the Saints, Maroney did prevent his team from losing the ball when he used a helmet-first tackle to dislodge the ball from Saints defensive lineman Sedrick Ellis, who had recovered it.

"I looked up and started seeing (Ellis) making plays like he was a running back," Maroney said. "He wasn't on the ground yet. So I had one shot to try to strip the ball from him. Even though I felt bad about the fumble, I was at least excited we ended up with the ball.""