Laurence Maroney

PHOENIX — Laurence Maroney doesn’t turn 23 until next Tuesday. That doesn’t scare the Patriots, who have increased the running back’s work in recent weeks. 

But it’s bound to give rival executives wondering when the Patriots are going to fall off their perch a lump in their throats.

Age is creeping up on New England at a couple of positions, especially linebacker, where 30-year-old Adalius Thomas is the youngest slated Super Bowl starter. But a scan of the roster shows that — can this be right? — Maroney is the Patriots’ youngest starter.

And he is rapidly improving. Maroney is on the cusp of being this offense’s next star, and it should surprise no one if he plays better than he ever has before this Sunday in Super Bowl XLII, even as he faces the only defense that has held him to less than 100 yards rushing since mid-December.  

Including the playoffs, Maroney has rushed for more than 100 yards in four of his last five games. In the AFC title game, Maroney rushed for 122 yards — 40 in the last 9:13 of the game as the Patriots ran out the clock and clinched the victory — and thrived in cold, blustery conditions that weakened New England’s powerful passing game.

“It’s been a patient year for me,” Maroney said Wednesday. “… I knew sooner or later, the weather was going to be on my side and allow me to get my runs off.”

In the Patriots’ Dec. 29 win at Giants Stadium, Maroney rushed for only 46 yards on 19 carries. He did score twice, but it’s safe to say that Patriots WRs Randy Moss and Wes Welker made bigger impressions on the New York defense. Moss caught six passes for 100 yards and a pair of scores, the highlight a 65-yard scoring strike from Brady. Welker, like he did all season, wrought havoc from his slot-receiver position, catching 11 passes for 122 yards.

What Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo will try to do to slow the Patriots’ passing game is one of the great storylines, and mysteries, of this game, given Spagnuolo’s propensity for creativity. But whatever Spagnuolo has drawn up, or left alone, or modified slightly, we can surmise this much: Loading up the line of scrimmage to stop Maroney won’t be a priority.

It is against this backdrop that Maroney could have his finest hour as a professional.  

Earlier this season, Maroney’s role in the offense was unclear. He started two of the first three games, but backup Sammy Morris also received regular work. Then, Maroney suffered a groin injury in the Patriots’ 38-7 win vs. Buffalo on Sept. 23. With Maroney out, Morris stepped in and rushed for more than 100 yards in consecutive games. But just as Morris seemed ready to mount a challenge for more of Maroney’s carries, he suffered a season-ending chest injury at Dallas on Oct. 14.

Maroney returned to the lineup the following week, but with Brady and his receivers playing so well in a shotgun, spread attack and third-down RB Kevin Faulk the superior pass receiver, the Patriots could afford to be patient with Maroney.

“We were a little reserved with him, trying not to blow that up before we felt like he was really ready to go,” Patriots RB coach Ivan Fears said.

The Patriots’ prudence paid off when Maroney started to consistently look like the back that they coveted in the 2006 draft. While most fear his burst — “He hits the hole so fast,” Giants WLB Kawika Mitchell noted — Maroney also credits a keep-it-simple approach for his recent success. Now he thinks about “not making a bad play worse, or not trying to make too much of a play, and taking what a defense gives you.”

His opponents have noticed his improvement.

“You know, it’s kind of funny, because earlier in the season, you didn’t see much of him,” Giants MLB Antonio Pierce said. “And now, in the playoff games, the guy has shown up big time — 120 yards (actually 122), I think, in consecutive games.”

Pierce then offered something of a scouting report on Maroney:

“Very physical, fast running back. Very tall, powerful running back. Somebody who, once he gets going, he can be very difficult to stop. You can’t let him get no momentum, no swagger about himself.”

The elements could be in place for Maroney to be feeling really good about himself Sunday, especially if the Giants play their safeties deep and he gets through the first wave of defenders without trouble.

He is young. He is fresh, carrying only 232 times to date this season. He is, fortuitously, playing better than he ever has as he prepares for the biggest game of his life.

Maroney’s position coach looks into the future and sees Maroney getting bigger and stronger.

“This is the first year he’s going to go into the offseason with a chance to really improve his strength level,” said Fears, referring to a shoulder injury that limited Maroney after his rookie season, “and I expect big things from him. I expect that 215-pound body to be a solid body, and no concern with injury issues.”

As it is, Maroney is already to be respected. But the Giants have so much else to worry about — Brady … Moss … Welker … Faulk. Yes, don’t forget about Faulk.

“He’s a great running back,” Mitchell was saying of Maroney, “but ‘33’ is the one that I’m most concerned about. He’s definitely a big-time player.”

You feel bad for the Giants, with those tired arms saluting the various Patriots that deserve their just due. Maroney, No. 39 in your game program, is on that list, too, but near the bottom, on account of his young age and relative lack of accomplishment. Super Bowl XLII could mark his big leap forward.