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10-09-2010, 02:59 PM
Denver counting on RB to improve ground game
Associated Press
Posted: 10/08/2010 11:58:48 PM MDT

ENGLEWOOD -- Laurence Maroney isn`t exactly sure what`s being said and
written about him three weeks into his Denver Broncos career.

But with the team`s ground game mired in last place in the NFL rankings at 55
yards per game and him having started the last two weeks in the backfield, he
has some ideas.

Thing is, he wouldn`t completely disagree if he`s getting some flak.

"The first two weeks really haven`t been nothing amazing," Maroney said
candidly Friday as the Broncos (2-2) wrapped up preparations for the
Baltimore Ravens (3-1). "But I think it`s about time we start picking things up
and really see why they traded for me and see what kind of back I am."

Maroney has carried the ball 23 times for 29 yards in games against
Indianapolis and Tennessee, subbing for the injured Knowshon Moreno, who
will miss his third straight game Sunday. That makes it incumbent upon
Maroney to raise his per-carry average significantly to restore some much
needed balance to Denver`s one-dimensional offense.

The team will continue to roll Correll Buckhalter into the backfield, and Andre
Brown, another relative newcomer to the Broncos roster, may also get some
first-team looks. But Maroney will have to be a part of the solution, too.

The Broncos sent a 2011 fourth-round pick to New England for Maroney and a
sixth-round selection last month.

"I ain`t too much into the media, but I`m pretty sure they`re all, 'Ahh,
Maroney ain`t doing it,'" the fifth-year pro said. "But you look at the game,
sometimes there ain`t nothing there. Sometimes there is and I have to take
what I can get. It`s just going out there and playing hard and improving in
the running game."

Denver`s four-game start on the ground is the worst in team history, and
Maroney is right on one count: The issue is not his alone. The offensive line
has had several configurations. The level of opponent has factored into the
equation. A commitment to continue running also has taken place.

But after Denver ran the ball 20 times for 19 yards in a win at Tennessee last
week, the team has spent the practice week trying to smooth out the issues
it can control: Attacking the line; better blocking; running harder.

All aspects will be needed against a Ravens defense that allows 116.8 ground
yards per game, a No. 21 league ranking, but historically has been among the
NFL`s most physical front sevens. Maroney said he`s encouraged good things
are ahead based on what he`s seen the last several days for a group that
hasn`t had a rushing gain of 10-plus yards since the opener.

"The run game`s all about getting started," he said. "If you can get a 10, 20,
a nice big run to get the flow going, get everybody`s blood going and get the
line excited, then you`re in your little groove and everything can start moving
for you."

Notable

FB Spencer Larsen (ankle) will miss his second straight game. CB Andre
Goodman (quadriceps) and LB Wesley Woodyard (hamstring) practiced a third
straight day and appear on track to play. ... Matt Prater needs three field
goals Sunday to tie Jason Elam`s team record of 19 straight successful kicks.
... The Broncos have never beaten the Ravens on the road (0-3), including a
30-7 defeat last Oct. 1. ... QB Kyle Orton needs 84 yards to have the most
passing yards through the club`s first five games in team history.

From The Daily Camera (http://www.dailycamera.com/broncos-nfl/ci_16294304?source=rss)

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HORSEPOWER 56
10-09-2010, 07:34 PM
"The first two weeks really haven`t been nothing amazing," Maroney said candidly Friday as the Broncos (2-2) wrapped up preparations for the
Baltimore Ravens (3-1).

Understatement of the year! Thank you Captain Obvious! :rolleyes:

dogfish
10-09-2010, 07:57 PM
http://img259.imageshack.us/img259/8366/hilliscantread.jpg (http://img259.imageshack.us/i/hilliscantread.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)


sorry, top-- had to be done. . . :drinking:

T.K.O.
10-09-2010, 08:22 PM
roid-rage ?

RedFalcon
10-09-2010, 08:33 PM
If the O-line will finally start to open up some spaces, and if Maroney doesn't chicken out and goes through those spaces, we might be able to run. Although, Ravens run defense is quite tough to beat.