This question is for objective, non-Patriots fans only - For the simple reason that I wont be able to stomach a homer Pats fan posting that Maroney is a top RB when in fact hes very overrated and mediocre at best.
2007-12-13 05:35:22 · 29 answers · asked by vinny_says_relax 7 in Sports ➔ Football (American)
Excellent responses, thanks to everyone whos participated so far.
2007-12-13 05:56:53 · update #1
Definitely talent.
He is throwing that much because they have the best WR in the game, the best slot WR in the game, and a guy (D-Stalls) who would be the number one wideout on 50% of the teams in the NFL. With those receivers, you should be throwing the ball as much as possible.
That being said, the Pats running game is decent enough. It isn't great. It isn't awful. It's average-ish. Maroney is a decent back (not great), but he's also been slowed by injuries. As people have mentioned, he can't control how much he touches the ball. His performance probably is slightly skewed in a positive way though because teams gameplan's focus first on Randy Moss, second on getting pressure on Brady, third on nuetralizing deep passes, fourth on Welker, and then finally, on taking away the running game. It is the only "average" thing on that offense. That means defenses come out in a lot of pass defense formations, which helps runningbacks get some extra yards.
So in closing, his monster season is due to talent, and although the running game is the weakness of their offense, it is far from non-existent. It simply is average as opposed to exceptional.
2007-12-13 06:09:30 · answer #1 · answered by Jim Baw 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am a Pats fan and I in no way think that Maroney is a top RB, but he isn't as bad as everybody thinks. The Patriots are what 14th in overall rushing yards this year, which is not bad considering how much they run. The lack of running game is BECAUSE the passing game is so good, they don't run the ball. Hee's having this season because he's always been talented,but now he has talent in his recieving core.
2007-12-13 08:29:35 · answer #2 · answered by *Killer B's* 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tom Brady is the greatest quarterback of all time. It's true that Maroney hasn't been impressive. If the Pats had a monster running back, there's no doubt they would be running the ball more, and passing less. This year's Pats are like the perfect storm. We have a great offensive line, the greatest quarterback of all time, great receivers, and a mediocre running game. That's why the Pats are setting so many single season passing records.
2007-12-13 07:56:47 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not a Pats fan and I try to be objective! =) Anyways, the Pats do have a running game - they just prefer to throw. Obviously, when you're passing on most plays and hardly ever running the ball, you'll pile on the QB stats. Many compare Brady to the original Joe Cool, #16 and say that Brady's stats obviously surpass Joe Montana's. Maybe the fact that Joe had Roger Craig in his back field might have had something to do with that. Also, a QB's performance depends a lot on the caliber of his receivers and offensive line and the Pats have lots of talent in those categories.
2007-12-13 06:12:16 · answer #4 · answered by Liss C 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Through the first 9 games of the year the Pats averaged ~132 yards a game rushing. That has gone down a bit, to ~113 currently, but even with a very good running game in the early season Brady set his pace to break multiple NFL records for passing.
With average recievers he was a constant top 10 QB, with excellent recivers is is the top rated. I would have to go with talent over lack of a running game.
2007-12-13 05:48:14 · answer #5 · answered by TL 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think its really part of both, he has talent now so he is taking advantage of it and now they abandoned the run game. Maroney isnt a good running back, he wasnt even the best on his team in college. So whoever says he is top notch is either a hardcore Patriot bandwaggoner or doesnt know a thing about football. Plus you have to add Bill wants to run the score, and let Brady get the stats this year. Add all those together you get his season.
2007-12-13 05:48:20 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think the Pats could run the ball if they wanted to, but it's simply more effective for them to use the passing game. You've got an outstanding QB with some excellent receivers, and they've proven to be almost unstoppable. It would seem pointless to try establishing a running game since it's really not needed.
Now, could they run if they wanted to? They actually rank in the middle of the pack (14th) in rushing yards, so it's not like they haven't been able to run when needed. Again, though, you could make the argument that their running game is effective because teams always have to defend against the pass. They also have the 9th-most rushes per game, but that has to be attributed to those games where they just run the ball 20 times in the fourth quarter because they have an enormous lead.
2007-12-13 05:41:02 · answer #7 · answered by Craig S 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Im not sure anyone can really assess how good New Englands running game is because they quite frankly dont have to use it. Brady's success is talent pure and simple and he is surrounded by great receivers. However, consider that Moss is new and there have been some other changes in the reciever corps since New England rose to power in 2001. Brady makes it work with the personnel he is given and that is leadership, skill, and understanding the game and making smart decisions.
It should be more difficult to throw the ball when other defenses dont have to concern themselves with the runnning game. Brady is making it look easy however. That is just pure skill.
2007-12-13 05:46:27 · answer #8 · answered by voodoo_4466 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Brady is having a monster season because of the talent around him. At best, the running game is severly mediocre. There is no big name there to garner any respect for a running game. I feel if they would've kept Corey Dillon, their running game would be OK because Dillon is a feared RB.
He's got the likes of Randy Moss, who is a dangerous threat on any team and Jabar Gaffney, who is coming into his own as a player. And you can't forget Wes Welker, either. With the talent he has, along with having that "spygate "scandal", has helped his team a lot this season. They're going to 16-0 and win the Super Bowl!
2007-12-13 05:42:08 · answer #9 · answered by Nate 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think it's fair to cast judgment on Maroney who is playing in a spread out pass happy offense and has only carried the ball 126 times. Maroney simple has no control over how many touches he gets.
Brady's numbers reflects on the talent around him the system that has allowed him to obtain these numbers.
They don't lack a running game. They just don't call a lot of running plays.
2007-12-13 05:44:28 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋