Maroney marches forward
Patriots running back Laurence Maroney and his mother will serve as honorary chairs for Saturday's "Boston March for Babies" walk.
The three-mile walk supports March of Dimes programs so mothers can have healthy, full-term pregnancies and find answers to the serious problems that threaten babies.
Maroney was a natural choice to serve as an honorary chair. He was born premature (Feb. 5, 1985) at just 4 pounds, 7 ounces, and mother and son were separated for 31 days.
"I've never really shared the story with too many people, but now being honorary chair, it's a story I'm happy to tell," Maroney said in a phone interview this morning. "My hope is that it's inspiring to anyone born premature, where they can look at an NFL player and say 'He was born premature, I can still make it.' This is a cause that means a lot to me."
While Maroney is looking forward to Saturday's March for Babies, he's also anxious for his fourth NFL season in New England. He said he's participating fully in the team's offseason program without restrictions, working mostly with fellow running backs Kevin Faulk, Sammy Morris and BenJarvus Green-Ellis (running back Fred Taylor is training in South Florida).
In his first three seasons, Maroney hasn't experienced the type of consistent success he's hoped, in large part due to injuries. But he currently has a clean bill of health and is fueled by those who aren't figuring him into the team's running back plans.
"I'm working hard and feeling good," he said. "Whenever somebody counts you out, you want to show them they're wrong.”
Comment
Permalink
Email
Hmm a walk seems like the perfect thing for him. Now if it was a run, I would be worried.
Well here's something about Maroney I think we can all root for. I hope he really turns it around on the field this year, although it's less because I want him to succeed and more because it will help the team. Either way, when goals align, the reasons don't seem to matter.
I really like him, he has a ton of talent - I just hope he can finally put it all together and become a 1000 yard rusher (though with his talent he should be closer to a 1300-1400 yard rusher).
let's hope he doens't pull a hammy.
Wasn't he ready to prove them all wrong last year too?
Hopefully, on that mind-clearing walk he decides to retire, just a thought.
This is his make or break year. This year he has $2M in remaining (unamortized) signing bonus for this year and next. So if he were cut this year, his cap hit would be $2M, which is greater than the amortized signing bonus and salary by a significant amount. Thus, for financial reasons, he likely stays on the roster (or goes to IR).
Next year, is the last year of his contract. It looks like he will be due his salary of $600k plus some roster bonus ($100k) and he will also count about $1M against the cap for his remaing signing bonus. However, the patriots could cut him and they would save about $700k under the salary cap, and gain a roster spot.
Mike, I love your blog, but lately it has become extremely slow. I hope that can be fixed soon. Keep up the good work.
Pat
U cant make up news its off season
Who?
Well, it sure sounds like he wasn't hesitant to hit the hole back in the day. Why now? Doesn't make a lot of sense.
Really though, I am still a fan. I hope he has a great year!
During March of Dimes, Laurence Maroney fails to aggressively hit the hole when weaving through a pack of mothers participating in the walk, does a two step behind the pack to try to evade them and is brought down for a five-yard loss.
Upon getting up, Laurence Maroney reaches for his right shoulder, his return next week is questionable (upper body injury).
Bill Belichick declined comment about which part of his upper body was actually injured, and then denied that Laurence Maroney was a member of the 53-man roster for week 1, as it was still the offseason.
Good enough for made up Patriots news?
to jay8852,, you are such a hater...you have probably never weaved between moms or played football...what gives you the right to criticize anyone...play the game before you judge anyone, better yet quit being a sideline cheerleader.
This blogger might want to review your comment before posting it.
Patriots Twitter
ask reiss
Questions will be considered for Mike's mailbagbrowse this blog
by categoryINside Boston.com