" Laurence Maroney has the same questions you do.

What happened to the running back who caused scoreboards to explode at Normandy High in St. Louis? What happened to the high-profile half of one of college football's top rushing duos at Minnesota?

How is he averaging a paltry 2.9 yards per carry for the Patriots?

"What am I doing differently?" asked Maroney yesterday. "I come to the final conclusion that I'm not running the way I used to run. I got to get back to the basics."

The team's leading rusher, Fred Taylor, underwent surgery this week to repair torn ankle ligaments, knocking him out for tomorrow's game against Denver and beyond.

Coach Bill Belichick said of Taylor, "I'm sure he'll be back," but didn't say when.

Until the team's only 100-yard rusher plays again, the onus is on Maroney to right his troubling 27-carry, 78-yard season. BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Sammy Morris and Kevin Faulk will help.

But Maroney, the former 2006 first-round pick who starred alongside Marion Barber with the Golden Gophers, has the first chance. He does admit it's tough to see his friend Barber starring for the Cowboys.

"That's the saddest part for me," Maroney said. "Just seeing how great they talk about that guy and he's definitely like my big brother. But I'm like, 'Man, that used to be both of us. L, you used to run just like him, what happened?' Get back to it. . . . (Run) with no remorse. Be Kamikaze."

On the heels of a seven-carry, 6-yard performance, Maroney was booed against the Ravens.

He wasn't insulted and holds no grudges against the fans. But he does wear the criticism of his alleged toe-tapping running style on his sleeve. He also is aware that if he hits the hole too quickly - and without patience - the run goes nowhere.

"That's just as bad as dancing because I'm not really reading the play," Maroney said. "I'm trying to hit it fast and hard, so they can be like, 'Well, at least Maroney was running hard.' It really don't mean nothing if I ain't getting nowhere."

He must find balance to silence the boos.

"We have one of the roughest crowds, (they're) so judgmental, they want perfection," Maroney said. "I feel like they really just want me to do good and I'm just not performing to the level that they expect of me. It was their way of saying, 'Mr. Maroney, now's the time we need you to be the running back everybody expected you to be.' 'OK, crowd, I hear you.' I'll try my best to answer."

As for Green-Ellis, he has been mostly inactive, but expect him to play. He led the NFL in rushing yards during the preseason.

"Whatever they ask me to do, I'll be ready," said Green-Ellis, who made his rushing debut against Denver last year and later turned in a 100-yard game."