2007 Outlook

Maroney comes off a rookie season that started with a bang – rushing 60 times for 294 yards in the first four games with three touchdowns scored. He averaged 4.9 yards per carry for the first month but then only had 451 yards on 115 carries for the rest of the season (3.9 YPC). He was held out in weeks 14 and 15 for what was termed a back injury that existed for much of the season. Herein lies the problem with Maroney – he has been injured before and he plays for the Patriots so there will be almost no reliable way to know how or even if he will play week to week.

Maroney is now the starter in New England with the departure of Corey Dillon and that should herald a big season for him given that the Pats have rushed for 15 or more touchdowns for many seasons (20 last year). Maroney only had six rushing scores in 2006. There is no doubt that he has the physical tools to get the job done, the question is will he always be able to use them and will he end up killing your fantasy team because of the deceptive nature that is the Pats injury report. You can almost guarantee that he will be on the injury report every week. Maroney was reported, ever so briefly, to have undergone offseason shoulder surgery that found “significant damage" and that was actually his “back" injury. The Pats would not confirm if Maroney has been taking part in the off-season conditioning program.

Maroney also suffered from torn rib cartilage and a minor knee sprain during the season which impacted his production that started so well. His injuries extended into the playoffs as well since he only averaged 2.8 yards per carry on his 31 postseason carries. An issue with Maroney is that he is a very tough runner and will take on defenders and yet that resulted in so many of his injuries last year. There is no question that Maroney has the physical skills here for an outstanding fantasy season and he plays on a great team for opportunities. But – he was constantly nicked up last year and the reliability of Maroney each week will be very risky thanks to the deceptive non-disclosure of the Pats. There’s been no other report allowed by the Pats regarding his shoulder surgery and no comment outside of a single report which is not surprising. And yet the Pats acquired only Sammy Morris so how concerned are they really?? Maroney is going very early in drafts considering his weekly risk but he could end up richly rewarding his fantasy owner – or just be another frustrating start each week because you cannot afford to sit him and yet can never truly know what he will do. Big reward but big risk. Make sure you grab Sammy Morris if you have Maroney.

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