"Despite a decorated resume at the University of Minnesota that helped make him a first-round draft pick, Laurence Maroney was never the only back in the backfield. With the Golden Gophers, he shared carried with sidekick Marion Barber.

So the Patriots running back can handle splitting carries with Fred Taylor. He can deal with six carries for 23 yards in the loss to the Jets.

He won't be imploring the coaching staff to get him the ball.

"I ain't like that," Maroney said yesterday. "My whole career, I've been in a multi-back system so it ain't nothing that's new to me. I got used to it. You always know to be ready when they call your number. That would be a bad feeling when they do decide to call your number and you're not prepared or ready. Then you're really screwed."

Maroney may get the call tomorrow. The Falcons have allowed an average of 5.1 yards per rush this season, an inviting statistic that may allow the Pats to reestablish their ground game."