By Matt Sohn
Oct. 9, 2008

More from PFW • Week 12 handicapping trends and tips, 11/20/2008 1:24:18 AM • Publisher's Pen: Jets look like heir apparent in AFC, 11/19/2008 4:51:17 PM • Week 12 fantasy rankings, 11/18/2008 5:25:29 PM • Mayo thriving at position foreign to Patriots rookies, 11/18/2008 2:19:30 PM • Patriots place RB Maroney on I.R., 10/20/2008 7:38:49 PM Related Topics • Laurence Maroney • New England Patriots • National Football League • American Football Conference • AFC East Division • Kevin Faulk • LaMont Jordan • Sammy Morris • Kansas City Chiefs • Foxborough

Rather than wearing down defenses, RB Laurence Maroney is beginning to wear on the patience of the Patriots’ coaches. New England’s first-round pick in 2006, Maroney not only hasn’t developed into the type of every-down back the team believed he’d be, but he has played with such little fire that Kevin Faulk, Sammy Morris and LaMont Jordan all are trusted more than him. After picking up a respectable 51 yards on 10 carries in Week One vs. the Chiefs, Maroney has gained just 42 yards on 18 carries since. At the root of his problem is his unwillingness to sacrifice his body, often opting to head out of bounds instead of picking up yards after contact. Word from Foxborough is that although the Pats aren’t yet willing to concede that Maroney was a wasted pick, he’ll need to show serious improvement soon or risk being phased out of one of the league’s deepest backfields.