Will Maroney Survive Cut?

[redcrbbr]

he made the cut. clayton and taylor didn't

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Outside linebacker Derrick Burgess and special teams captain Sam Aiken were released by the New England Patriots in surprising moves Saturday.

They also placed safety Brandon McGowan, who started 11 games last season, on season-ending injured reserve with a chest injury.

Burgess, who didn't practice until Aug. 15, was one of 20 players cut by the team as it got down to the regular season limit of 53. He started six of his 16 games with five sacks in his eighth pro season. He has 52 sacks in his career, starting with three seasons in Philadelphia and four in Oakland.

There had been speculation that Burgess, who signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract in May, might retire but he didn't mention that after his first practice this summer.

"I had to take care of my family business before I could report," he said, but admitted he was "a little rusty" in his first practice with the team.

Aiken spent the past two seasons with New England after five with the Buffalo Bills. He had a career-high 20 receptions last season, giving him 47.

McGowan matched his career high with 50 tackles in his only season with the Patriots. He spent his other four with the Chicago Bears.

The Patriots released two other veteran defensive players, linebackers Eric Alexander, primarily a special teams player in his six years with New England, and Pierre Woods, who started eight games in four seasons with the team.

Also released were quarterback Zac Robinson, running backs Thomas Clayton and Chris Taylor, wide receivers Buddy Farnham, Darnell Jenkins and Rod Owens, tight ends Carson Butler and Rob Myers, offensive linemen George Bussey, Ted Larsen, Rich Ohrnberger and Thomas Welch, linebacker Thomas Williams, safety Sergio Brown, cornerback DeAngelo Willingham and defensive back Ross Ventrone.

Some of those players could end up on the Patriots' practice squad.

Among those released were five players taken in the past two drafts -- 2009 picks Ohrnberger (fourth round) and Bussey (fifth) and 2010 choices Larsen (sixth), Welch (seventh) and Robinson (seventh).

[Strike_King]

He may have made the cut,but if there's any truth to this story,he'll be injured in the first game:

Another possible explanation for Maroney’s lack of playing time could be injuries. According to a league source, Maroney has been dealing with a number of issues, including an abdominal strain and groin and ankle injuries.

Maroney back in the mix - The Boston Globe

The Glass Man

[redcrbbr]

depends if this is a contract year for him

[Strike_King]

Originally Posted by redcrbbr

depends if this is a contract year for him

He's in his contract year. And nothing he's done in the last three seasons gives any indication that he's due for a big pay day. The last three summers,all I've heard is that "This season will be Lo Mo's breakout year". It hasn't happened..He was not worthy of a first round pick and certainly isn't a number one running back..

[MarshCappa]

This is one of the things that irks me about the Pats is the lack of consistant running game. Maroney isn't an every down back. The rest of the guys are servicable role players at best. Faulk is well into his back nine and probably at the last hole this year. Taylor is in the clubhouse as far as backs his age are concerned. This is the reason the Pats will be a heart attack team this year. They'll have to throw it till the cows come home.

[JackK]

Why all the hate to Maroney?

Now, I don't follow the pats religiously (Like I do the Birds ) but it seems like every fan, as well as the media, loathes the guy.

I remember his rookie season he looked like an absolute beast. He had a good season the next year (including playoffs), then got put on IR the following year. Last year he had pretty much an '07 repeat.

So... He's not racking up 1000 yds+ per year, but doesn't seem to be that bad of a player otherwise. So why all the hate, especially in this running-back-by-committee era?

[MarshCappa]

Originally Posted by JackK

Why all the hate to Maroney?

Now, I don't follow the pats religiously (Like I do the Birds ) but it seems like every fan, as well as the media, loathes the guy.

I remember his rookie season he looked like an absolute beast. He had a good season the next year (including playoffs), then got put on IR the following year. Last year he had pretty much an '07 repeat.

So... He's not racking up 1000 yds+ per year, but doesn't seem to be that bad of a player otherwise. So why all the hate, especially in this running-back-by-committee era?

First round draft pics are supposed to do better than role player status. They expected him to take the torch from Corey Dillon and he couldn't hold the match to light the torch so far. Untimely fumbles, the lack of getting that tough short yardage, and not being a very good blitz stopper have made him a project that really hasn't panned out. If he was a fourth or fifth round pick you wouldn't be seeing the hate as much. Furthermore the only reason I feel that he is still here is because he is a first round pick and they hope to get something in return. The clock is ticking on his tenure here.