BY JIM DONALDSON
Journal Sports Writer

FOXBORO -- This is one of the few times you'll see the words "Laurence Maroney" and "workhorse" in the same sentence.

Maroney, who was the Patriots' first-round draft choice -- number 21 overall -- out of Minnesota two years ago, is on the inactive list for the Dolphins' game. It is the sixth time in 35 regular-season games that he has not been on the active roster. Even when he's been active, Maroney hasn't exactly been overworked. Seven times in two-plus seasons in New England, he has had less than 10 carries in a game. Only once in the regular season has he had more than 20 carries -- against the Jets last December, when he ran 26 times for 104 yards and a touchdown.

He did, however, have more than 20 rushing attempts in two playoff games last season -- running 22 times for 122 yards and a TD against Jacksonville, then coming back the next week and again gaining 122 yards, this time on 25 carries, and scoring another touchdown against the Chargers in the AFC championship game.