The Patriots' underachieving, only-semi-durable, second-year running back might want to ponder these comments by Green Bay coach Mike McCarthy regarding the until recently unheralded Ryan Grant, who rushed for 156 yards on 29 carries Sunday against the Raiders: "I really like the way he runs. No wasted steps. One cut. Always moving forward. That's the style in the NFL that works best, I think."

Maroney was drafted 21st overall by New England in 2006. Grant was obtained by the Packers this year from the Giants in exchange for a late-round draft pick, after spending the 2005 season in New York on the practice squad and last season on the Injured Reserve list.

Unlike Grant, Maroney tries to make too many cuts, does too much dancing, too often runs East-West, instead of North-South.

As the weather worsens, and it becomes increasingly difficult to throw the football consistently, the Patriots will need to rely more on Maroney, who thus far in his brief career has not run as well as his former teammate at Minnesota, the Cowboys' Marion Barber.