Maroney is waiting to hear

FOXBOROUGH - Running back Laurence Maroney, who hopes to return for Sunday's game in Miami after missing the last three with a groin injury, put himself in the same category as the media and fans who follow the Patriots.

"I'm like you all, I'm waiting to see the answer I'm going to get," he said yesterday.

Maroney, who was a game-time decision last Sunday against Dallas, said he is "feeling good" and spoke candidly about how he hopes to avoid the reputation of being an injury-prone player. He has missed five of a possible 25 games (including playoffs) since entering the NFL last year as a first-round draft choice, and was out for most of a sixth game when he hurt his ribs in the first quarter against the Lions last December. He also underwent offseason surgery on his shoulder.

"Coming off one injury as it is, coming into another one, it definitely is frustrating," he said. "It's, 'Man, I just can't get rid of these things.' I missed two games in college due to an ankle sprain, but those were the only games I missed in my football career. I come up [to the NFL], and it seems like I just can't get rid of these things.

"It's one of those things where you try to work hard to not be labeled as injury-prone and work so hard not to be injured. But in this game, football, I'm surprised people don't get injured every play. That's a surprising stat to me - the way we play, how hard we work, how physical this game is, people should get hurt more often. It's one of those things you don't want to have."

Maroney said he would not rush his return to compensate for the loss of Sammy Morris, who injured a bone in his chest early in the third quarter of last Sunday's win over the Cowboys when offensive lineman Stephen Neal and Dallas linebacker Bradie James landed on him.

A league source indicated yesterday that Morris is expected to be out until at least the team's bye weekend Nov. 10-11, and potentially longer than that. Maroney said, "It's kind of sad seeing him going down, because I really thought me and him were going to have something special this year."

Maroney rushed for 103 yards on 19 carries in the Patriots' 38-7 win over the Bills Sept. 23, going wire to wire. It was only after the game that Maroney realized something was wrong.

"It's one of those things where I finished the game with it, felt cool, and after I woke up [the next day], it just didn't feel right," he said.

Naturally, he's eager to return.

"Anybody that loves the game of football will be anxious, whether they sit out one week, two weeks, three days," he said. "It hurts to be on the sideline. You miss it by just watching it. But, you know, it gives you more energy and motivation to come back."

Leading man

Earlier this season, Tom Brady said wide receiver Randy Moss was a leader.

Moss has certainly been a leader by example on the field. He leads the league in receiving yards with 610 on 40 receptions and is tied for the NFL lead in touchdown receptions with eight. The concerns of his former coaches in Oakland about his legs have been unfounded thus far. He has played 83 percent of the offensive snaps, 11 percent more than the next highest player among receivers, tight ends, and running backs, Kyle Brady.

"I don't look at that leadership [stuff] - that's not for me," said Moss. "I've never claimed to be a leader. The only thing I do is me going out here and practicing and making plays and having fun with the guys. If you call that being a leader, then I guess that's what it is."

Not all downtime

Although Chad Jackson hadn't been on the field until Wednesday, when he came off the physically unable to perform list and practiced, coach Bill Belichick pointed out the strides the second-year receiver has made from his rookie season in terms of preparation.

Jackson spent the offseason here rehabilitating the torn right anterior cruciate ligament he suffered in the AFC Championship game. He used that time to also be tutored by offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and wide receivers coach Nick Caserio on the playbook, which Jackson struggled to master last year.

"He knows a lot more this year than he knew last year going into the season or even at this point," Belichick said. "He's done what he can do. He's been limited in some things, but I don't think that's held him back on the other things. He works hard on his preparation and assignments and he's matured a lot and he's made a lot of progress."

Jackson said Moss has taken him under his wing.

"Randy has helped me out a lot," said Jackson. "All the other receivers help me out a lot. But Randy, I'm kind of playing behind him right now and he's teaching me a lot with the plays, technique.

"You would think Randy Moss, he's all about himself. He's really not. He's a team player."

The team has 19 days to determine if it wants to activate Jackson.

Wilfork's appeal heard

Nose tackle Vince Wilfork had his appeal hearing Tuesday regarding the $12,500 fine the NFL assessed for his low hit on Bills quarterback J.P. Losman Sept. 23. No decision has been reached . . . The Patriots had no changes to their injury report, as Morris, linebacker Eric Alexander (knee), and tight end Benjamin Watson (left ankle) sat out practice. Dolphins linebacker Zach Thomas (toe) returned to practice and had limited participation.