"The point has been made in blunt fashion. Laurence Maroney [stats] fumbled on the goal line in the Patriots' win over Jacksonville, and he hasn't played since.

Now, it's up to the running back to take the next step.

"We trust him to carry the ball, and we expect him to hold onto it just like anybody else," said running backs coach Ivan Fears, in his first interview of the season. "He understands that's very, very important. That's something he's got to work through."

It's just another road block keeping the former first-round pick from the University of Minnesota from reaching his potential. But he is working.

"Personally, he's fantastic," Fears said. "Here's a kid that wants to learn."

Maroney has been running tough, gaining 757 yards on 194 carries with a career-high nine touchdowns. But, there are the fumbles. To help, teammates have been going after the ball in practice, forcing Maroney to secure it. He just must do it Sunday in the wild card game against the Ravens.

Fears is not taking the matter lightly. Fears, who has worked under coach Bill Belichick for the past 13 seasons, was asked if Maroney can overcome his issues.

"Sure, he can," Fears said. "A lot of guys have had their little spells.""