Most mornings I keep the television off – it’s too easy a source of distractions while I try to get some real work done. But this morning I had it on with the sound off when NFL stats from last night started scrolling by. One line that jumped out at me was LaMont Jordan’s 19 carries.

The former Jet and Raider utilized those carries well, rumbling for 76 yards and one touchdown. Again, I try not to put too much stake in preseason football. But when I saw that I mentally moved Laurence Maroney’s down on my as-of-yet put-to-paper fantasy draft cheat sheets.

It’s not that I think Maroney is a bad running back or that he is going to be replaced as the starter in New England. But Bill Belichick last year seemed to show a preference for a more hard-nosed running style as opposed to Maroney’s breakaway style. Sammy Morris, before getting hurt, received 85 carries in six games, scoring three touchdowns before Maroney even once broke the stripe.

Maroney certainly came on toward the end of the season and into the playoffs and in games where Belichick needs to run more than pass I would expect that he will get a plurality of the carries, if not a clear majority. But in games where the coach thinks he can open up the deep passing game by pounding away with runs in between the tackles with a couple battering rams like Jordan and Morris, don’t discount the possibility that Maroney could become a non-factor in those games – much like he did at times last season.

I don’t expect Tom Brady to duplicate 50 touchdowns or Moss to match his 22. But Belichick loves the deep ball and at times it seems he feels more apt to get there without Maroney rather than with him.