#4: Laurence Maroney. What should we expect in 2008? And in the future?

I've selected two running backs today, both of whom should have a lot of potential in front of them. Maroney seems like the type of back primed to be a success in the Patriots offense. But will he be?

The Patriots generally are content with the outcome of football games and not making any one player their focus. This past season broke that mold with Brady/Moss having superstar seasons. While a regression should be expected from both, the question is what impact that will have on the production from the rest of the team.

Maroney finished last season with 6 TDs, all of which came in weeks 11 thru 17. He also had two 100+ yard games right at the tail end of the year. A sign of things to come? What may be of concern is that only once all season did he carry the ball more than 20 times, so his ability ever to have a breakout season may be challenging.

I like Maroney as a RB but as long he's in NE he will be nothing more than a #2 RB who is sometimes drafted as a #1. NE spreads the ball around a lot and doesn't turm to the run at the end of games like a lot of teams do to protect the lead. I don't see Maroney's numbers improving as long as he's in NE. When he leaves NE we'll find out if the numbers he did put up were just a product of the system.

I don't have any reservations regarding his talent. He is a sight to see when he gets the chance. I agree with similar statements above though at the end of the day he rarely gets enough carries to be an elite "numbers" back. He would be a tough pick for me unless he falls into uncharted territory which we all know he will not. 1100 and 8TD's.