Maroney practices in full pads

FOXBOROUGH - Laurence Maroney called the shoulder injury that kept him out of last Sunday's loss to the Dolphins a "little, minor setback." That's good, because the Patriots need a healthy Maroney to get back on track after the bye week.

Maroney was injured during the first half of the Patriots' 19-10 win over the Jets Sept. 14. He returned and had one carry on the Patriots' final possession. After missing two days of practice, Maroney practiced last Friday, but not in full pads. He participated in full-pads practices yesterday and Wednesday.

"It felt good," said Maroney. "It actually felt better than what I thought, so hopefully it will stay the same."

The third-year running back hasn't been able to shake a run of injuries. He missed two games as a rookie, then had offseason shoulder surgery that put him in a non-contact jersey for the start of training camp in 2007. Last season, he sat out three games with a groin injury.

Maroney acknowledged some frustration.

"A little bit, but you know, it's football," Maroney said. "It ain't like we go out there trying to get hurt. It's just the physics of the game. It's just part of the game."

Nothing would help besieged quarterback Matt Cassel more than an established running game. At times last season, Maroney, who has 18 carries for 67 yards and no touchdowns this season, struggled to get carries because of the Patriots' pyrotechnic passing game. Now, the Patriots might want to become more of a running team with Maroney, Sammy Morris, LaMont Jordan, and Kevin Faulk.

"I don't think that's something that we want to do," said Maroney. "I think it's something that we might have to [do], or [just] become more balanced."

Cassel hard at work

Cassel is using the bye week to work on his mechanics and how defenses are approaching the Patriots with him at quarterback.

He is taking the advice of Tom Brady and remaining upbeat despite a lackluster performance last Sunday.

"We have had conversations since last week," said Cassel. "A lot of them just came down to, 'Look, it happens and there are going to be times when you lose. You just have to stay positive and know that you are going to come out and continue to work hard and get better.' "

Cassel said Sunday's loss has some value.

"Every rep I can get is valuable," he said. "With every look I can get and every defense I play against I get more experience. We will just keep learning from each and every situation that comes up and try to get better."

Moving moment

Before he formally announced his retirement, Troy Brown addressed the Patriots in their morning meeting yesterday. He was given a standing ovation when he was done.

"It is bittersweet because you look at a guy like Troy and you'd love to have him around the locker room," said safety Rodney Harrison.

Harrison, who is in his 15th season, said Brown's intangibles and toughness are what impressed him the most.

"Troy is one of the toughest guys that I've ever faced, that I've ever been around, as well as one of the smartest football players and one of the best people I've ever been around," Harrison said. "I have a tremendous amount of respect for Troy as a person, as well as a football player, just his ability to do so many different things on that football field that so many people overlook because he may not have caught three or four touchdowns."

Out of sight

Four players were not at the media-access portion of practice: wide receiver Kelley Washington (ankle), linebacker Eric Alexander (calf), cornerback Lewis Sanders, and offensive lineman Mark LeVoir . . . Harrison wasn't reading too much into the fact the Patriots were in full pads for both practices this week. "If Coach says full pads, that's what we put on," he said. "We got plenty of time to rest up." . . . The players are off until Monday.