By Jeff Hoffman
July 25, 2008 11:01am CDT

Despite the fact it took him 11 weeks into the regular season to find the end zone, Patriots running back Laurence Maroney shook off nagging injuries and finished the 2007 season strong. Even though many fantasy owners had given up on him at that point, he proved to be tenacious, scoring all six of his touchdowns in the final seven games. Heading into the 2008 season, Maroney seems to fit into the second-round running back class with players like Maurice Jones-Drew, Ryan Grant, and Brandon Jacobs. The Patriots scored 75 touchdowns last season, and a healthy Maroney should get his fair share of opportunities to put points on the board.


NFL CAREER
2006: In his rookie season with the Patriots, Maroney played in 14 games and finished the season with 175 rushing attempts for 745 yards and six touchdowns. Out of the back field, Maroney tallied 22 receptions for 194 yards and one score.

2007: Maroney’s sophomore season with New England was similar to his rookie season. In 13 games played, Maroney started six and finished with 185 rushing attempts for 835 yards and six touchdowns. In the playoffs, Maroney led the way for a solid ground attack, totaling 61 rushing attempts for 280 yards and three touchdowns.


TEAM SCENARIO
Prior to Super Bowl XLII, the 2007 New England Patriots seemed destined for greatness. Although the Patriots finished the regular season with a perfect record, they were upset by the New York Giants, a team they had beaten in Week 17, and were sent back to Beantown without the Lombardi Trophy. In spite of losing arguably the best cornerback in the NFL to free agency, Asante Samuel, the 2008 Patriots are hoping for the same success as last season, albeit with a very different ending.

As if the Patriots needed any more help winning games, their 2008 schedule is slated to be the easiest in the NFL. Outside of the six games against rival AFC East teams, the Patriots have to be licking their chops knowing they will face three of the weakest teams in the NFC (Rams, 49ers, and Cardinals). These three NFC West squads gave up a combined total of 132 touchdowns last season, and knowing that he gets to square off against them has to put a huge smile on Mr. Brady’s face.

One of the greatest offensive shows in NFL history returns to Foxborough this season virtually unaltered. Though wide receiver Donte’ Stallworth signed with Cleveland in the offseason, Tom Brady and the Patriots offense should continue to dominate in 2008. Both Randy Moss and Jabar Gaffney were re-signed and will accompany fellow wideout Wes Welker in Brady’s arsenal. In what is expected to be more of a balanced rushing attack, running backs Laurence Maroney and Sammy Morris will split carries and control the Patriots ground game.

Unlike New England’s offense, which returns nearly unchanged, the Patriots defense is a different story. Two of the Patriots starting cornerbacks, Asante Samuel (Eagles) and Randall Gay (Saints), were lost in the offseason to free agency, leaving a giant hole on the team’s depth chart. In hopes of adding insurance to their aging defense, the Patriots signed former Vikings safety Tank Williams to back up Rodney Harrison, and drafted linebacker Jerod Mayo with the tenth overall pick in the draft. He is expected to start opposite linebacker Tedy Bruschi, a 13-year veteran..


2008 UPSIDE
Here is a look at part of the Patriots 2008 schedule:

Week 1 - vs Chiefs
Week 2 - @ Jets
Week 3 – vs Dolphins
Week 8 – vs Rams
Week 11 – vs Jets
Week 12 – @ Dolphins
Week 15 - @ Raiders

These five teams combined for a total of 16 wins last season, which for all of you that have been living under a rock, is how many the Patriots won last season alone. The Chiefs, Jets, and Raiders respectively ranked 28th, 29th, and 31st in the NFL against the run. And however unlikely it is that the Patriots passing game struggles, these three teams each ranked in the top-10 in pass defense, which could force New England to rely on the run. That would be great news for Maroney owners who would love to see Brady handing the ball off all day long.


2008 DOWNSIDE
The list of negative factors seems to outweigh the positives when it comes to Maroney. Despite the fact he’s only been in the league for two years, he has been labeled as injury prone. In 2006, Maroney battled both back and ankle injuries and required surgery on his shoulder in the offseason. Then in 2007 he missed three games due to a groin injury. Even though Maroney returned from the injury last season and scored nine touchdowns in his last 11 games (including the playoffs), his inability to stay healthy has to frighten fantasy owners.

In addition to the fact that Maroney is often injured, head coach Bill Belichick could opt for a more balanced rushing attack, and backup Sammy Morris could see more playing time. There is no doubt that Maroney is the starting back in New England, but Morris could take roughly 10-12 touches away from him, and Belichick has been known to go with the hot hand, regardless of who it may be.


OVERALL FANTASY IMPACT
So what can be expected from the third year back out of Minnesota? Maroney definitely won’t put up numbers similar to LaDainian Tomlinson or Adrian Peterson, but he should gain enough yards and score enough touchdowns to be considered a low-end No.1 or high-end No.2 tailback in standard leagues. However, in PPR leagues, Maroney’s value certainly drops to a low-end No.2 back. Last season, he tallied just four receptions for 116 yards, which are terrible numbers when every reception matters. Even though the Patriots are supposedly going to be less pass-happy in 2008, Maroney and the running game in New England seem destined to play second fiddle.