Laurence Maroney News & Rumors: Pro Sports Daily

January 19

Denver Post

"Broncos tailback Laurence Maroney was arrested Monday night in St. Louis after a vehicle he was in was stopped by officers who found marijuana and a weapon inside. A spokesman for the Broncos said the team was aware of the arrest and that the team would have no comment. Maroney's publicist, Jane Higgins, told The Associated Press on Tuesday that Maroney, 25, has a permit to carry a gun. She said the former first-round pick is not accused of possessing drugs. Formal charges have not been filed. The Metropolitan Police Department, City of St. Louis, issued a media release in response to questions about Maroney's arrest. The release didn't name Maroney, nor any other individuals, but it"

Cops: Laurence Maroney was high on drugs, carrying gun

January 18

TMZ.com

"The St. Louis PD tells TMZ ... 25-year-old Maroney was arrested for possession of marijuana and unlawful use of a weapon. Cops say while Maroney has a valid "Conceal and Carry" permit -- he was arrested for packing the gun while under the influence of drugs. Maroney was in a car with 5 other people late Monday night when cops say they observed "several occupants" of the vehicle smoking what was believed to be marijuana. Five of the six people in the car were arrested and three firearms were discovered during the bust ... including two handguns and a rifle. It's unclear which gun cops have associated with Maroney."

Maroney is here, but not ready to roll

September 17

Denver Post

"Laurence Maroney was in the Broncos' locker room Thursday, he was in the training room and he was in the meeting room. Where he was not: on the field. How all of this is going to work out for the Broncos is yet to be determined, mainly because of Maroney's thigh injury. Coach Josh McDaniels said "when he's ready to roll, we'll put him out there." Still, it is intriguing to see Maroney with the Broncos, given how close he was to being the Broncos' first-round pick in 2006. Had the Broncos not been able to trade their way up in the first round — with St. Louis — to get the 11th pick overall to take quarterback Jay Cutler, Maroney would have almost certainly been their pick later in the"

Running back Maroney could be part of Broncos' long-term plans

September 16

Denver Post

"If it becomes apparent that newly acquired Laurence Maroney is working out as a running back, the Broncos would like to work out a contract extension before he becomes eligible for free agency after this season. "Certainly we would love to have an opportunity to keep a young player at that position around for more than a year," Broncos coach Josh McDaniels said. "I think that would be the goal for sure — to give us some guys that really have an opportunity to be here for a long time." In his first day with the Broncos, Maroney didn't put on the team colors. He didn't practice Wednesday because the transaction did not clear the NFL office until after the Broncos' early afternoon practice."

Maroney trade puts backfield in motion

September 15

Denver Post

"Coach Josh McDaniels was direct in describing how he felt his running backs performed Sunday in the Broncos' season opener at Jacksonville. "We felt like we left a lot of yards on the field in the running game," McDaniels said. "Either we blocked well and didn't see it exactly the way we needed to see it, or could have blocked it better." McDaniels didn't say which of his two running backs he wanted more yards from, but Knowshon Moreno and Correll Buckhalter should have received a clear message Tuesday that more is expected after the Broncos acquired running back Laurence Maroney from the New England Patriots. The deal involved swapping late- round draft picks, with McDaniels sending a"

Broncos trade for New England running back Laurence Maroney

September 15

Denver Post

"The Broncos today executed a trade for New England Patriots running back Laurence Maroney, who was the team's first-round pick in 2006. Broncos coach Josh McDaniels was New England's offensive coordinator from 2005-08. The Broncos sent a 2011 fourth-round pick to New England, and the Patriots gave up a sixth-round pick next season. Maroney last season rushed for 757 yards and nine touchdowns. Maroney was inactive with a thigh injury in New England's season-opening victory against Cincinnati on Sunday. He had been listed as questionable on the injury report. He played in just two of four preseason games. The Broncos have not yet made a corresponding roster move, to carve room for Maroney."

Laurence Maroney's gone

September 15

Boston Herald

"The usually vibrant and enthusiastic Laurence Maroney took on a far different tone last night. Even the ever-smiling running back couldn't shake off his new reality. Maroney's tenure in New England had come to a premature end. The 2006 first-round draft pick was traded along with a 2011 sixth-round selection to the Denver Broncos in exchange for a fourth-rounder, a league source said. The team confirmed the trade, not the compensation. A once-promising stint ended with promise unfulfilled. The team felt it was time to move on. Reached by phone at the airport before his flight to Denver, Maroney described himself as disappointed - "because I didn't see this coming," he said - with the"

Maroney dealt to the Broncos for fourth-round pick

September 15

Boston Globe

"The Patriots severed ties with former first-round pick Laurence Maroney yesterday, shipping the oft-confounding running back to the Denver Broncos. In exchange for Maroney's services and their own sixth-round pick in 2011, the Patriots received the Broncos' fourth-round pick next year. Efforts to reach Maroney were unsuccessful. The trade marks the end of a less-than-perfect relationship between the Patriots and Maroney, the 21st overall pick in 2006 out of Minnesota who often struggled between what came naturally to him as a running back and what the Patriots wanted him to do."

Inactivity pains Laurence Maroney

September 14

Boston Herald

"Laurence Maroney missed Sunday's season-opening win against the Cincinnati Bengals with a thigh injury. The Patriots running back has battled injuries throughout his five years in New England, and he knew his absence would add fuel for his detractors. "You got your critics out there, and there's nothing better than just to go out there and have that game that you've been hoping to have," Maroney said last night. "You can just look out there and wait at your locker like, 'Come on media, I'm waiting for you,' and be like, 'Boo-yah, there y'all go. What happened to the critics now?' But all we're doing is just postponing it. I think I'm going to have my chance one day, and when it comes I'm"

Laurence Maroney keeps motor running

September 3

Boston Herald

"After registering a pair of widely talked about and debated DNPs, there was finally a Laurence Maroney in-game sighting last night. The Patriots' 2006 first-round draft choice, who appears to no longer hold the job of the team's lead back, finally was inserted early in the second quarter of last night's 20-17 loss to the Giants after the starters played two series. Maroney's first carry was a burst through left end for 6 yards. He finished with nine carries for 32 yards, and wound up as the team's leading rusher on the night. That topped his output for the preseason, which all came during his only other appearance in the first game, when he had eight carries for 30 yards. The longer"

No chances for Maroney

August 28

Boston Globe

"Without the time, the plays or the ball Thursday night, the Patriots offense couldn't explore many options against the Rams in their 36-35 loss. As a result, some players, most notably running back Laurence Maroney, didn't get to play, according to Patriots coach Bill Belichick. For the second consecutive week, Maroney didn't have a carry in an exhibition game. That was not by design, just a lack of opportunity, Belichick said. Maroney is entering his fifth NFL season and from all the coach has seen from the 25-year-old in practice, he is a player who can "absolutely'' help the Patriots in the regular season. At the end of last season, Maroney's carries lessened after he fumbled four times"

Bill Belichick backs Laurence Maroney

August 28

Boston Herald

"A day after running back Laurence Maroney received zero snaps for the second consecutive preseason game, coach Bill Belichick offered him his full-throated support. Belichick did not hesitate when asked if he thought the running back would help the team during the regular season. "Oh, absolutely," Belichick said. "I sure do." Maroney's status with the team has been a subject for debate, as the 2009 starter has just eight carries in three preseason games. Only veteran Kevin Faulk has fewer (three). The expectation for Maroney was an extended window of opportunity Thursday night against the Rams, considering it was the third preseason game. Yet, he didn't see the field, let alone find a"

Idle Laurence Maroney's status still mystery

August 27

Boston Herald

"Plenty of questions are still hovering over the 2010 Patriots [team stats]. Here's one of the most asked from last night's preseason loss to the Rams: Where's Laurence Maroney? One place he wasn't was in the backfield behind Tom Brady [stats], taking handoffs. We had made a big deal of this third preseason game, and Maroney's place in it. Given that he didn't play in the second game, and had what amounted to cameo time in the first game, this was hyped as the telltale game for the running back. Another DNP surely couldn't mean anything good for the fifth-year back, who carries with him a boatload of unrealized potential. But can we really assume anything when Bill Belichick's involved? Can"

Starter or not, Maroney vows to carry on

August 25

Boston Globe

"Despite having just eight carries in two preseason games, none with the first-team offense, Laurence Maroney was still quick to joke yesterday. As reporters huddled around the Patriots' fifth-year running back, Maroney urged the questioning to begin. "Come on,'' he said. "Who's got the first question, the genius question?'' Might you be starting Thursday?"

Laurence Maroney will carry on

August 25

Boston Herald

"When asked yesterday about the kind of camp Laurence Maroney has had thus far, Patriots coach Bill Belichick lauded the running back for his perfect attendance, coming in and working hard, and being in good condition. Not the type of praise you're looking for if you're expected to be the dominant back among the committee the Patriots have assembled, and have already chalked up four years worth of unfulfilled promise. It had that ring to it where you rip off a few items that are somewhat complimentary to be kind, but ultimately project nothing special. He shows up. He works hard. He's in shape. It's possible Belichick was just being Belichick. He's not always the most forthcoming when it"

Maroney still holding steady

January 9

Boston Globe

"One carry is all Laurence Maroney said he needs to get into a rhythm tomorrow in the Patriots' wild-card playoff game against the Ravens. "Let's start there,'' said the running back. "Just get one carry and just get out there and get a feel for the game and hope one carry leads to three, three carries leads to five, and you just keep going.'' One fumble on the 1-yard line against Jacksonville Dec. 27 and Maroney was on the bench. The Patriots have not called on him to carry the ball since. It was his fourth fumble this season and second within 2 yards of the end zone. His fumbles are a career high, and have come at critical times. The miscues have overshadowed an otherwise career season"

Laurence Maroney gets chance if he can hold onto ball

January 8

Boston Herald

"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.""

Laurence Maroney holds on to blame

January 2

Boston Herald

"Laurence Maroney hasn't spent much time this season ducking would-be tacklers. He didn't duck from responsibility, either. The Patriots running back addressed his fumble on the goal line last week against the Jaguars, making no excuses and saying the blame belongs squarely on his shoulders. And he didn't find fault in coach Bill Belichick's decision to bench him afterward. "It was a bad fumble," said Maroney, who wound up with 22 yards on just four carries. "I can't point the finger at nobody but myself. I got careless on the goal line and everything deserves a consequence. My consequence was sitting on the sidelines the whole game." It was Maroney's fourth fumble of the season after"

Laurence Maroney's losing grip

December 29

Boston Herald

"Laurence Maroney fumbled on the goal line on the opening drive in Sunday's AFC East-clinching win for the Patriots against the Jacksonville Jaguars. While it didn't have any impact on the game, that blunder did have consequences for the running back. Coach Bill Belichick didn't allow Maroney to set foot on the playing field the remainder of the game. Might that have been the final straw with Maroney, who has now fumbled four times this season, twice on the goal line? Did that gaffe rub out all the positive strides the running back has made this season? Can he be trusted as the lead back for the playoffs? Given the history with Maroney, and the frustration he continues to inspire, the"

Maroney reads a lot into chats with coach

December 19

Boston Globe

"They have met this season at least once a week. Nothing formal. Just a casual, one-on-one sitdown. Patriots coach Bill Belichick and running back Laurence Maroney. "We watch film and talk a lot about the running game, his running style, reads, and so forth,'' Belichick said. They try to meet every Saturday. "Or Friday, depending on the time of the game on Sunday,'' Maroney said. Seldom, if ever, does Maroney feel it isn't time well spent."

Patriots are seeking that big completion

December 8

Boston Globe

"There are five of them now. Five losses hang over the Patriots for the second consecutive season. With four weeks to go, they have control of their postseason destiny, but there is little room for error. The Dolphins' 22-21 victory Sunday put added pressure on New England to close out the AFC East. The Patriots are 7-5 and 3-2 in the division, with losses to the Jets and Dolphins. They have a one-game lead over the Dolphins (6-6, 4-2), who have division losses against the Patriots and Bills, and the Jets (6-6, 2-4). Not only did Sunday's loss, in which the Dolphins engineered a second-half comeback, frustrate the Patriots, but its impact on the standings could be critical."

Personnel moves lead to Patriots plunge

December 7

Boston Herald

"Slowly but inexorably they are dissolving in front of our eyes. It is a process that didn't begin this year for the New England Patriots [team stats] but way back in 2004, when nobody was paying attention to much else but the lifting of another Super Bowl banner. That season they won their third Super Bowl in four seasons but also began a widely ignored decline that manifested itself emphatically the past month and came to a sad head yesterday at Land Shark Stadium when they lost for the third time in four weeks, blowing a 14-0 lead to be beaten at the buzzer by the Miami Dolphins [team stats], 22-21. Five years ago, the Patriots draft garnered two starters, both on the first round. Not"

Laurence Maroney comes to grips

December 5

Boston Herald

"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"

Road kill in Patriots' sights

November 29

Boston Herald

"Laurence Maroney has heard the tales. Inside the Louisiana Superdome on "Monday Night Football," the Patriots running back won't be surprised to find an emotion- and alcohol-charged atmosphere from the Saints fans. He's expecting to find an unfriendly fan, or 70,000 of them. Yet as the Patriots search for their first meaningful road victory, he doesn't mind. "All the booing and loud stuff really doesn't get to me," Maroney said. "Sometimes, that actually helps me. There's nothing better than when a whole stadium is rooting against you wanting you to fail and you still play a good game. (You're like), 'Man, how can I get this crowd to be quiet?' Just make plays . . . One play silences the"

Maroney happy as rush chairman

November 23

Boston Globe

"Laurence Maroney owns two streaks after yesterday. One he would like to continue next week, the other he could live without. For the first time since the Patriots drafted the running back in the first round in 2006, he has a rushing touchdown in five consecutive games. But he also has a fumble in back-to-back games. Maroney is the first Patriot in a decade to score a rushing touchdown in five straight games, the third-longest streak in team history. The last player to do it was Robert Edwards, who scored in six straight in 1998. Curtis Martin owns the team record with seven straight in 1996."

Laurence Maroney's lucky day

November 23

Boston Herald

"Laurence Maroney is suddenly superstitious. The Patriots running back turned in his fourth solid game in the past five, rushing for 77 yards on 22 carries with two touchdowns. His 1-yard plunge with five minutes left sealed the 31-14 win over the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium. So Maroney declined to talk to reporters, saying he's only spoken on Fridays recently and adding, "I'm superstitious." The emphasis on the power game was obvious to others. "Balance is important," center Dan Koppen said. "Got to keep the defense on its heels.""

Patriots pick back up

November 23

Boston Herald

"From the wee hours of Monday until late Saturday, the world still was talking about fourth-and-2. Wondering why coach Bill Belichick made the call he did, wondering why a sure victory was inexplicably lost. The Patriots were not. "We're moving on" was the mantra. And when they say it, they really mean it. That was evident in the Patriots' emphatic response, an opportunistic 31-14 win against the Jets yesterday at Gillette Stadium. Goodbye Colts, goodbye negative thoughts, hello commanding AFC East lead. "What was last week?" joked linebacker Adalius Thomas. "No, the only thing that was going to help us was coming in here and getting a win. You couldn't let last week beat us twice." Leigh"

Laurence Maroney worthy of comparison

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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"