Laurence Maroney NFL Football Player | Laurence Maroney Of The Denver Broncos | This Preseason Was Surprising

Taylor impressed in Sunday’s season-opening win against the Cincinnati Bengals, with 71 yards on 14 carries, but the 34-year-old has only played in 16 games twice in his 13-year career. Regardless, Taylor has averaged 4.3 yards per carry in eight of those NFL seasons.After an ankle injury limited his 2009 to six games with the Pats, Taylor said recently he still feels fast.I feel good,” Taylor said. “The key is taking care of yourself, doing maintenance, doing the small things.”

The Patriots' use of Laurence Maroney this preseason was surprising, questionable, mysterious and a whole bunch of other things that fall under the umbrella of the unpredictable.At the end of the day, one thing matters most: Maroney survived a mass of roster cuts, and it looks like he'll play out the last season of his five-year rookie contract with the Patriots.Maroney didn’t take a single snap with the first-team offense this preseason, and he was a bench ornament for two of the Patriots' four exhibition games. Maroney, who pushed the mop bucket through Bill Belichick's doghouse at the end of the 2009 season, appeared to have kept his residence in those uncomfortable confines.

And, who knows, he might still be there. The 2006 first-round draft pick would be an intriguing prospect for teams that are looking to add running back depth, like the injury-depleted Broncos and Browns, whose head coaches Josh McDaniels and Eric Mangini, respectively are former New England assistants.Yet, if Maroney does indeed remain in New England throughout the season, he could still be an asset. He ran the ball well last year before developing an affinity for giving away more pigskin than a meat-packing factory. If Maroney can get past that and continue to run as hard as he did in 2009, he'll command about 200 carries.

It hasn’t been an ideal summer for Maroney, and there's still no telling what will come next for the unpredictable running back. But for now, he can breathe a little easier knowing he's still welcomed at Gillette Stadium.The Denver Broncos acquired Laurence Maroney in a trade with the New England Patriots on Tuesday. The Broncos also received a 2011 sixth round pick while the Patriots get a fourth round pick in 2011. This comes as a surprise because Denver is adding another injury-prone player to their offensive lineup that is already saddled with injuries to begin with.

Maroney was drafted 21st overall in the 2006 NFL draft out of Minnesota and was expected to be the Patriots’ number one running back. However, he has not lived up to expectations due to injuries. In 2008, Maroney was limited to three games because of a shoulder injury. In his four years with the Patriots, Maroney compiled 2,431 yards and 21.With a thigh injury this time, Maroney sat out New England’s season- opening game against the Cincinnati Bengals which the Patriots won 38-24. It appears that the Patriots have given up on the Maroney and decided to ship him elsewhere.