Laurence Maroney News: Pro Sports Daily

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November 13

Boston Herald

"For a while there, Laurence Maroney was inching closer, ever closer, to being dismissed as a draft pick that just didn't work out. He was going to be one of those guys who would move on, after which we'd put his name up there on the bulletin board with Eugene Chung and Chris Canty and others from the recent and long-ago Patriots past under the heading: "Guys Who Didn't Cut It." But then Fred Taylor and Sammy Morris went down, and that's when the Patriots stuffed a football into Laurence Maroney's belly and said, "Run." No, he has not suddenly morphed into The Greatest Running Back Who Ever Lived. But we've been seeing a healthy, contributing Laurence Maroney over the past month, inspiring ..."

Laurence Maroney entertains

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November 11

Boston Herald

"As soon as seventh-grader Tyler Hutchinson announced his special guest to the Duxbury Middle School student body, the auditorium erupted. It nearly became a stampede when Patriots running back Laurence Maroney began high-fiving the crowd. It was the NFL's Take a Player to School day, and Hutchinson won the online drawing to have Maroney lead his class in 60 minutes of physical education as part of the NFL's PLAY 60 program. "Amazing," Hutchinson said. "I got to work out with a famous athlete, and it was really fun." Everywhere Maroney walked, he heard the cheers. The fun-loving player signed countless autographs, offered words of encouragement to the Duxbury High football team, and even ..."

Laurence Maroney unsatisfied

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November 7

Boston Herald

"During the bye week, Laurence Maroney took extra time to examine his performance during the past two games. Though the wins over the Titans and Buccaneers were two of his most productive, the Patriots running back said he looked at them the harshest. "I've really been a hard critic on myself, just seeing how I can be better," said Maroney, who gained 166 yards on 29 carries with two scores in those two games. "How I can be patient, how I can hit the hole better, how can I read it smoother? I critique myself." Maroney is averaging 4.3 yards per carry, with 265 yards on 61 rushes, as Fred Taylor [stats] and Sammy Morris are out with injuries. While he joked that he's just a running back so ..."

Laurence Maroney's no problem

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October 28

Boston Herald

"Coach Bill Belichick offered a spirited defense of his team's starting running back yesterday, saying he has no problems with the way Laurence Maroney is producing. During his weekly appearance on WEEI, Belichick said the issues with the running game should not be placed solely on Maroney's shoulders. "Well, every player can improve, but Laurence has done a pretty good job running the ball for us," Belichick said. "I really don't have a lot of problems with Laurence. What I'd like to see is for us to open bigger holes to create some space for these guys and allow them to run. "(Maroney) can do a better job, but we can block better and hopefully design more plays to create space and get ..."

He'd prefer it site unseen

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October 23

Boston Globe

"The Patriots departed Gillette Stadium at 4 p.m. yesterday in a six-bus caravan headed for Logan Airport, escorted by six State Police motorcycles, a black unmarked cruiser, and a sport utility vehicle. But if running back Laurence Maroney had his way, Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers would not have required such an elaborate travel itinerary, let alone passports. He would have preferred to play the game stateside, not at Wembley Stadium in London. After all, it's a long way to go to haul the mail. With Fred Taylor (ankle) and Sammy Morris (knee) banged up, Maroney and fellow running backs BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Kevin Faulk will have to shoulder the bulk of the work."

Laurence Maroney steps right in

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October 19

Boston Herald

"He wasn't supposed to be a factor in this game. He wasn't the lead back. He might not have even been the backup. As it is, who knows where Laurence Maroney fits on the depth chart, these days? The guess here is that Maroney was probably going to be the primary relief for Sammy Morris yesterday, but when Morris went down after his first touch of the day with a knee injury, opportunity knocked. And at long last, Maroney answered. On a snowy, sleety afternoon at Gillette Stadium, Tom Brady went to the ground attack early and Maroney gave them something they haven't had since Fred Taylor's performance against Atlanta in Week 3: an effective running game. Maroney finished with 16 carries for ..."

Laurence Maroney needs to step up game

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October 10

Boston Herald

"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 ..."

Source: RB Taylor needs ankle surgery

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October 8

ESPN.com

"The New England Patriots are preparing for life without their leading rusher, as Fred Taylor's injured right ankle will require surgery, according to a source close to the situation. The surgery is not expected to sideline Taylor for the season, assuming there are no complications. Taylor injured the ankle on his final carry of Sunday's 27-21 win over the Ravens, a 3-yard rush in which he came up hobbling after charging hard into the middle of the Baltimore defense. He has been held out of practice the past two days. The 33-year-old Taylor, who is in his first season with the Patriots after spending the first 11 years of his career with the Jaguars, has been instrumental in helping provide ..."

He's out to make up ground

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October 8

Boston Globe

"In a quiet corner of the Patriots locker room, Laurence Maroney explained yesterday that he did not hear the boos directed toward him during the fourth quarter of last Sunday's 27-21 win over the Baltimore Ravens at Gillette Stadium. Maroney's helmet might have muted the verbal rebuke, but he got the message loud and clear: The Foxborough Faithful expect more from him. "It's never one of those things where I think the fans dislike me or don't want me to be a running back here no more,'' said Maroney. "I look at it as they want me to do good and they expect more from me, and that's basically what they're letting me know. They expect more, and I have to give them more.'' Maroney vowed to use ..."

Tough guys wear pink

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October 1

Boston Herald

"Patriots wide receiver Randy Moss is going pink this week, and he's not alone. There will be pink all over the field on Sunday at Gillette Stadium as part of Breast Cancer Awareness day. Moss wore his pink gloves at practice yesterday, while other players such as running back Laurence Maroney were waiting for their pairs to arrive. "Cancer affects everybody in some way," Moss said in a press release. "If I can do something to help people out, to raise awareness and help raise money - well, that's what it's all about. I want to make a difference." Cutters Gloves began giving away pink football gloves last season, and it caught on with the players. This year, Arizona Cardinals receiver ..."

Laurence Maroney will do what it takes

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September 26

Boston Herald

"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 ..."

Running game will be key

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September 18

Boston Herald

"The Patriots have heard all week about the Jets' wide array of blitzes, and they know the chaos that can be created by coach Rex Ryan's scheme. Laurence Maroney believes he has a cure. Run, baby, run. "We definitely got to make sure the running game is present," Maroney said yesterday. "If the running game is doing its thing, I think they're going to shy away from a lot of blitzes and the things they want to do." One way to stop a team from coming after quarterback Tom Brady is to make them respect a balanced attack. The Jets may not be able to blitz with such abandon if they're trying to corral Maroney, Fred Taylor and company."

Maroney is in a rush to get started

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September 14

Boston Globe

"Feature back, backup, part of a running back-by-committee, Laurence Maroney doesn't really care. He's just happy to be back in the backfield tonight when the Patriots open the season against the Buffalo Bills at Gillette Stadium. Maroney hasn't played in a meaningful NFL game since last October against the San Francisco 49ers. That was the game in which it became apparent Maroney was dealing with "issues'' when he didn't duck his shoulder to pick up a first down. It turned out Maroney had a broken bone in the shoulder, which he first had injured two games before against the Jets. Two weeks after the 49ers game, Maroney, who played in just three games last season, was placed on ..."

Laurence Maroney in a rush

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September 12

Boston Herald

"Laurence Maroney hasn't played in a regular-season game since Oct. 5, 2008, spending most of his days in between recovering from a broken shoulder bone. With the opener Monday against the Bills looming, the Patriots running back isn't quite sure it's real. "I thought the day would never come," Maroney said. "But it's definitely here. Been out for a while, so I'm just excited to be back. I've been working hard, preparing myself to play a full 60 minutes." A potential starter, Maroney likely will share carries with veteran Fred Taylor, who may take the first snap instead. Maroney doesn't care. "No, all I really care about is a victory," he said. "Whether I'm the guy that's playing and ..."

Laurence Maroney receiving attention

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August 27

Boston Herald

"Laurence Maroney always has been able to catch a football. As a standout running back at the University of Minnesota, he was a major part of the passing game. The reality, however, changed in the NFL. The enormity of the situation, the star quarterback, the bright lights shining on the Patriots [team stats] - it overwhelmed him. "I mean, this is Tom Brady [stats], this is the Patriots you're playing for," Maroney said yesterday. "I could be at home and catch many things and get here, and it's like I never caught before in my life. I'd just be nervous. Not this year. I'm just out there relaxed. Catching is coming natural for me again." Bill Belichick agrees. The coach has gone out of his ..."

Laurence Maroney carries on

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August 19

Boston Herald

"With each question he received, Laurence Maroney gave one back just as quickly. The responses came in rapid fire, which is how the Patriots running back wants it. "Have you improved from last season?" he was asked. "Do you think I've improved?" Maroney responded. And then, "Do you want to change the perception some fans have of you?" "What's your perception of me?" he tossed back. "Let me hear it." The three-year veteran manhandled a wide-ranging interview yesterday, sending back queries he didn't like and defusing any awkwardness with a joke. "I think I'm the funniest guy, to be honest about it," Maroney said. He wants to take that act on the field. The former first-round draft pick ..."

Laurence Maroney backs 'mate

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August 5

Boston Herald

"Laurence Maroney wasn't nervous when he learned the Patriots had signed veteran running back Fred Taylor. Not when he ran into Taylor at the Super Bowl in February and immediately envisioned what he could learn from the former Jacksonville Jaguar. Not when he believes the two could complement one another. And just in case fourth-year back Maroney did feel some apprehension, Taylor was clear in their first conversation. "He came up and broke it down to me," said Maroney, the 5-foot-11, 220-pounder who missed most of 2008 with a shoulder injury. "If I need help with anything, if I want to learn anything, he's here. The first couple days, we had like 20 talks. I always kept coming to his ..."

Oft-injured Laurence Maroney in rush to help team

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August 1

Boston Herald

"Running back Laurence Maroney said he's worked extremely hard this offseason in hopes of an injury-free, breakout year for the Patriots. His appearance - leaner and more chiseled - certainly showed it. And the fact that he's been receptive to advice from veteran running back Fred Taylor, who was signed in the offseason by the Pats, also speaks to that end. Maroney indicated yesterday he has welcomed any words of wisdom from Taylor, whose career began in a somewhat similar fashion - injury-plagued seasons that led to durability questions. "From his perspective, he's been through a lot," Maroney said. "He's been through his fair share of injuries, how he took it, how he made it out of it, ..."

Laurence Maroney disclosure revealing

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May 19

Boston Herald

"Laurence Maroney revealed to a group of reporters covering Kevin Faulk's charity softball game Saturday night that he tried to play through a broken bone in his shoulder last season before being put on season-ending injured reserve. Apparently fed up from hearing critics continually question his toughness, Maroney finally came clean with the true nature of his injury. When you're a Patriot, when you play for Bill Belichick, stomaching criticism from fans or pundits unaware of the exact details of a situation comes with the territory. It comes with doing whatever it takes to win. That doesn't always make it any easier. Former Pats fullback Heath Evans, who considers Maroney to be like a ..."

Maroney's shoulder injury was broken bone

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May 17

Boston Globe

"Laurence Maroney was trying to bang out hits last night in fellow running back Kevin Faulk's charity softball game at Campanelli Stadium. But it's the hits Maroney has received for a perceived lack of production and toughness that rankle him. Prior to the game, Maroney revealed that the shoulder injury that limited him to three games last season was a broken bone. He injured the shoulder against the Jets during the second game of the season, sat out a week, then came back against San Francisco Oct. 5, but looked tentative, refusing to lower his right shoulder for a first down. After the game, Maroney said he had "issues." The Patriots placed him on injured reserve Oct. 20. "I had a broken ..."

Silence gives Laurence Maroney pain

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November 11

Boston Herald

"You get the impression Laurence Maroney would love to share all of the details surrounding his shoulder injury, so the critics would lighten up. Only he’s not allowed because it would violate an unwritten team rule. So last night, prior to signing autographs for fans at the Reebok store at Patriot Place, Maroney remained guarded about his health, except to say he was playing in pain after sustaining the injury in the team’s Sept. 14 win over the Jets, and he was about to start a nine-month program to “get stronger” and “get better.” Did he require surgery? Or, did he have surgery? Maroney wouldn’t say, because the Patriots hadn’t made any statements regarding any surgery. There were hints, ..."

Maroney is done for season

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October 21

Boston Globe

"Whatever the "issues" that Laurence Maroney is dealing with, the Patriots didn't think they could be resolved this season, because yesterday the team put the third-year running back on injured reserve with a shoulder injury, ending his season. Maroney finishes the season with 93 yards on 28 rushes in three games. Without him, the Patriots' remaining running backs are Sammy Morris, Kevin Faulk, rookie BenJarvus Green-Ellis, fullback Heath Evans, and LaMont Jordan, who sat out last night's game against the Denver Broncos with a right calf injury. Morris also left last night's game with a knee injury, after rushing for 138 yards in the first half. Although Maroney sat out the 30-10 loss to ..."

Laurence Maroney done for year

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October 21

Boston Herald

"While practicing at San Jose State with the team on the West Coast, Laurence Maroney talked about having “issues.” He talked about having “reasons” for his less than enthusiastic start to the 2008 season. Maroney wouldn’t say for certain that it was the shoulder injury that plagued him since Week 2, but it seems that is the case now as the Patriots placed the running back on season-ending injured reserve yesterday. While Maroney initially injured the shoulder against the Jets and missed the following week against Miami, he returned to play in San Francisco before sitting out at San Diego. In all, he played in three of the first five games, totaling 28 carries for 93 yards. One play that ..."

New England Patriots RB Laurence Maroney out for the year

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October 21

KFFL.com

"Mike Reiss, of the Boston Globe, reports the New England Patriots have placed running back Laurence Maroney (shoulder) on Injured Reserve, according to a NFL source. The move ends yet another disappointing season for Maroney, who has appeared in just three games all year. In total, he carried the ball 28 times for 93 yards (3.3 yards per carry), and he failed to catch a pass. In each of his three seasons in the league, Maroney has missed at least two games because of injuries. This year he found his carries cut back as head coach Bill Belichick utilized three other running backs: Sammy Morris, Kevin Faulk and LaMont Jordan (calf). For the season, Morris leads the team with 169 rushing ..."

Maroney out for season

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October 20

Boston Herald

"Laurence Maroney s shoulder problem is apparently worse than it appeared, as the Patriots have placed the third-year running back on season-ending injured reserve, team spokesman Stacey James confirmed today. Maroney initally injured the shoulder against the Jets in Week 2, missed the Miami game the following week, but played against San Francisco before sitting out the San Diego game. The injury-plagued Maroney had just had 28 carries for 93 yards this season. With Maroney gone for the year, the Patriots backfield now consists of Kevin Faulk Sammy Morris, LaMont Jordan and BenJarvis Green-Ellis. Maroney, 23, has played in 30 games with nine starts for the Patriots since being selected in ..."

Maroney's health at issue

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October 11

Boston Globe

"The clock was ticking and Laurence Maroney had to be on the practice field in five minutes. So when a small group of reporters approached him yesterday, he went the stiff-arm route. "I don't want to talk," he said. But with some minor arm-twisting, the third-year Patriots running back, one of the more good-natured members of the team, soon relented. What followed was a hurry-up version of question and answer, with much of the discussion centering on Maroney's disappointing 10-carry, 26-yard performance last Sunday in San Francisco, and one play on which he didn't lunge forward for a first down along the sideline. While Sammy Morris and LaMont Jordan moved piles and ran with authority, ..."

Unknown issue plagues Laurence Maroney

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October 11

Boston Herald

"There is something clearly bothering Laurence Maroney. It could be a bum shoulder or a crisis of confidence. It could be a personal matter weighing on him. Perhaps, it could even be all of the above. Whatever the reason, it has reached the point where it is affecting the running back’s performance on the field. Nothing better illustrates the point than when Maroney ran out of bounds, instead of surging ahead for a first down and taking on a tackle for that extra vital yard during the third quarter of Sunday’s 30-21 win over the 49ers. Maroney, who was listed as questionable for tomorrow’s game in San Diego with a shoulder problem, yesterday summed up his less-than-glowing effort on that ..."

Is his shoulder burden?

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October 10

Boston Globe

"Laurence Maroney proved he could shoulder the load down the stretch last season, but after an indecisive and uneven performance against the 49ers last Sunday, the question is how much is Maroney's shoulder weighing on him heading into Sunday night's game against the Chargers? Maroney, who injured the shoulder against the Jets Sept. 14 and missed the Miami game, had limited participation in practice yesterday after having full participation Wednesday. The shoulder could be one reason Maroney looked tentative against San Francisco, rushing 10 times for 26 yards. Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels was asked about Maroney's hesitation hitting the hole. "I think there were some situations in ..."

Coach dodges Laurence Maroney question

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October 10

Boston Herald

"Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels indicated yesterday he was pleased with the running back-by-committee approach that’s been employed this season. As for assessing the performance of Laurence Maroney, McDaniels wouldn’t support the notion the back was running in a tentative fashion. “I think there were some situations in the game where there wasn’t much there on a few plays, and there were some other plays, not just singling out Laurence, that there were more yards,” McDaniels said. “When you carry the ball 44 times, there are going to be plays where there are more yards than you gained and there are going to be other plays where maybe you didn’t gain as much as you blocked for. I ..."

Coach stands by Laurence Maroney

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October 7

Boston Herald

"The enigma that is Laurence Maroney was a hot topic during coach Bill Belichick’s conference call with the media yesterday. When asked if he felt he was getting everything he expected from the third-year running back, Belichick refused to knock the talented yet injury-prone and inconsistent player. “Yeah, I think Laurence has done a good job for us,” Belichick said. “I think he’s a good back. He’s played well, and I think he’ll continue to play well.” Maroney ran 10 times for just 26 yards in Sunday’s win at San Francisco. He also ran out of bounds 1 yard short of a key first down when it appeared he could have engaged in a hit or at least lunged forward to make the yardage. Belichick also ..."

Laurence Maroney runs in mud

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October 6

Boston Herald

"With Laurence Maroney still struggling to hit his stride, there might be a running back controversy brewing. Both Sammy Morris and and LaMont Jordan have been better overall this season, and they performed much better than Maroney in yesterday’s 30-21 win. Morris was the game’s leading rusher, gaining 63 yards on 16 carries. Maroney, meanwhile, only mustered 26 yards on 10 carries. He returned after missing the Miami game two weeks ago with a shoulder injury. The key runs yesterday were made by Morris and Kevin Faulk, who scored twice from 2 yards out. “Josh (McDaniels, the offensive coordinator) did a great job of making calls and mixing it all up, and Kevin did a great job with two ..."

Patriots need Laurence Maroney

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October 1

Boston Herald

"The Patriots could really use the Laurence Maroney who came to play from mid-December through January last season. They could use that same dependable, durable lead back who rushed for more than 100 yards in four of the last six games (including playoffs) and gained the tough goal-line yards when called upon. The trouble is, Maroney hasn’t been that guy this season, or even a reasonable facsimile. He hasn’t hit his stride and, as has been his history, hasn’t been able to stay on the field. After playing the first two weeks, gaining just 67 yards on 18 carries, Maroney was a scratch vs. Miami thanks to a shoulder problem. For Patriots fans, it’s hard to know whether to throw in the towel or ..."

Frustration for Laurence Maroney

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September 26

Boston Herald

"The Patriots had no running game to speak of in Sunday’s stunning blowout loss to the Miami Dolphins. Sammy Morris, LaMont Jordan and Kevin Faulk combined for 55 yards on 16 carries. Would having Laurence Maroney, who sat out the game with a shoulder injury, have made a difference? That depends on which Maroney showed up. If it was the one who carried the team at the end of last season, the one who left his tap-dancing shoes at the door, hit the holes and ran for tough yards, the answer is most likely yes. If it’s the one that’s been on display thus far in 2008, with eight carries for 16 yards against the Jets before leaving with an injury, probably not. As hard as Maroney has tried to ..."

Maroney out for Patriots against Dolphins

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September 21

Boston Herald

"Patriots running back Laurence Maroney missed Sunday’s game against the Miami Dolphins because of a shoulder injury. LaMont Jordan, who had been listed as doubtful on the injury report with a foot injury, was active for the game as the No. 3 running back. Also inactive for the Patriots were receiver Kelley Washington, fullback Kyle Eckel, linebackers Shawn Crable and Eric Alexander, and offensive linemen Wesley Britt and Dan Connolly. Inactive for the Dolphins were offensive linemen Kirk Barton, Shawn Murphy and Nate Garner, defensive linemen Rodrique Wright and Lionel Dotson, receiver Brandon London, and running back Jalen Parmalee."

Patriots running game steps up at right time

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September 8

Boston Herald

columnist Dan Ventura

"File away the missing person report, the Patriots running game was spotted yesterday at Gillette Stadium. After a winless preseason in which the Patriots finished 28th in total rushing yardage, the tandem of Laurence Maroney and Sammy Morris couldn’t have picked a better time to resurface. With Tom Brady sidelined by a knee injury in the first quarter, the duo combined to rush for 104 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries as the Patriots held off the Chiefs, 17-10, in the season opener. “Tom is definitely our leader, but the team is a key factor,” said Maroney, who finished with 51 yards on 10 carries. “We knew everyone had to step up on offense and defense - and especially us as running ..."

Eager to get things running

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August 5

Boston Globe

"When the Patriots opened the exhibition schedule last year against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, running back Laurence Maroney didn't play. Still recovering from offseason shoulder surgery, he missed the first game. "And the second one," chimed in Maroney. This year, a healthy and more mature Maroney is benefiting from participating in training camp without a red noncontact jersey, and is building on the momentum he created last season. After a disappointing start, he ended up rushing for 835 yards - 90 more than his rookie season - and six touchdowns, all of which came in the final seven games of the season. There is no comparison between where he was at this time last year and now. "I wish I ..."

Laurence Maroney focuses on playing through whistle

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August 5

Boston Herald

"Patriots tailback Laurence Maroney sums up his training camp outlook in a single nine-letter word: “Finishing. It’s all about finishing,” Maroney said after yesterday’s morning workout at Gillette Stadium. “No matter what I’m doing - if it’s a block, a pass route or running - you have to finish it. Everything is about finishing.” The mantra of finishing is not just a simple response to the Patriots’ 17-14 loss to the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII. The concept has been handed down by coach Bill Belichick to put the recent past in perspective. Finishing is really about the Pats’ new beginning. The fresh start will take on a new dimension when the Pats host the Baltimore Ravens in the ..."

Maroney’s confident

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July 27

Boston Herald

"Laurence Maroney wasn’t shy yesterday when it came to discussing his abilities, and those of the other Patriots running backs. In fact, as training camp enters its first full week, Maroney has a feeling he and his running mates are going to complement quarterback Tom Brady and the offense’s vaunted air show with some fireworks of their own. “We’re excited to get back out there and let the world know what we can do,” Maroney said following yesterday’s morning session at Gillette Stadium, which was largely geared toward the running game. “We have high hopes for ourselves. We’ve got big plans. We’re just practicing hard to show the world what the Patriots running backs got.” Maroney (835 ..."