Laurence Maroney's dreadlocks were bunched together wit...

Aug 09, 2010

Laurence Maroney's dreadlocks were bunched together with a rubber band, not the most attractive way to display that hairdo.

A few feet away, another New England Patriots running back, BenJarvus Green-Ellis, stood with his dreadlocks flowing freely.

"His probably looks better," Maroney said of his close friend. "There's no point in trying to look pretty for camp. This is probably going to be my new style for the year. Rough. This is my statement. Rough.

"That's how I've got to be on the field. Rough. I can't go out there being all pretty because then you're all going to say I'm dancing."

Critics have been saying that ever since 2006, when the Patriots drafted Maroney in the first round out of Minnesota.

The rap against Maroney is that he wastes too much time in the backfield looking for holes, running from side to side. Can't he just attack the first opening he sees?

This season, Maroney wants to eliminate those criticisms.

"I'm not trying to be on, what's that dance show they've got on TV? 'Dancing with the Stars,'" he said with his ever-present smile. "I'm physical. Downhill."

Maroney improved on that last year when, for the first time in his four NFL seasons, he didn't miss any games because of injuries. He rushed for nine touchdowns but ran for just 757 yards and a 3.9 average per carry in 15 games.

"I feel like I ran the ball harder than I ever ran," Maroney said. "I felt comfortable running the way I ran last year, had some good successful games running. Now it's just basically taking what I did last year and bringing it to this year and improving on it."

Fantasy Impact:

today

Cowboys Beat: TE Jake Ferguson not expected to play Thursday

Nick Harris on X

1 hour ago

Long list here, but this is what I’ve gathered:

Guys I expect to play: Brandin Cooks, CeeDee Lamb, Tyler Smith, Cooper Rush

Guys I don’t expect to play: Jake Ferguson, Caelen Carson (possible IR), Zack Martin, Asim Richards

Gonna be close: Trevon Diggs, Eric Kendricks, Marshawn Kneeland

Related players: Luke Schoonmaker

Fantasy Impact:

Ferguson didn't practice Tuesday and remains in protocol, while Rush and Lamb both logged limited sessions. Cooks was also limited. Harris expects Rush, Lamb and Cooks to all play on Thanksgiving against the Giants. If Ferguson is out, Schoonmaker makes for a nice option as a replacement TE in fantasy lineups.

QB Daniel Jones has 'leading' choice, decision could come Wednesday

Josina Anderson on X

1 hour ago

A high-ranking league official told me they have the impression QB Daniel Jones has zeroed on a "leading" choice. While another high-ranking league source told me their understanding is Jones "is telling teams tomorrow."

Fantasy Impact:

Jones seems headed for a backup job and the Ravens, Vikings and Bucs seem like teams that could be in the market. There is a report that says Jones has eliminated the Raiders from contention. As the report said, a decision could come Wednesday from Jones.

Saints say WR Chris Olave (concussion) in a good place

Katherine Terrell on X

1 hour ago

Darren Rizzi said that Chris Olave is in a good place.

Fantasy Impact:

The post went on to say Olave was at the Saints practice on Tuesday and that Olave has seen several specialists and has another appointment coming up soon. On IR, the earliest Olave could be back is Week 15, but there seems to be a ways to go before we get to that point. Other reports say Olave may not return this season.