Maroney a Bronco

Laurence Maroney (plus a 6th rounder) has been traded to the Denver Broncos for a 2011 4th round pick, according to Profootballtalk.com. The much maligned running back from Minnesota finishes his career with the Patriots with 2,430 career rushing yards, a 4.2 average per carry, 22 touchdowns, and zero 1000 yard seasons.

Maroney, who was deactivated in Week 1, became expendable to the Patriots as he had fallen to fifth on the depth chart. In 2009, he scored a career high 9 rushing touchdowns, and seemed to be the Pats preferred goal line option. Late season fumbles got him in trouble, and benched, and he never recovered a role with the team again.

His departure should mean more goal line looks for the New England’s remaining runners, Fred Taylor, BenJarvus Green-Ellis, and Sammy Morris. Kevin Faulk’s role as the undisputed third down and receiving back should remain unchanged. Green-Ellis may be first in line to get the short yardage work. He was in the backfield for the majority of the Patriots goal line plays last week against the Bengals.

Maroney gives the Broncos insurance behind starter Knowshon Moreno. All the runners with Denver have suffered various ailments in 2010. Maroney has been a solid receiver in the NFL, and he could push current back up  Correll Buckhalter to the sidelines. He also has a career average of 25.9 yards on kick off returns, a role he could claim with the Broncos.

Though not a huge deal, this trade could make a ripple in the fantasy football world. It seems to cloud the picture in Denver, further damaging the stock of Moreno. At the same time, it really doesn’t help clear up the ultimate committee situation in Boston. The main thing fantasy football owners need to watch is who is getting those valuable goal line touches…but instead of watching the Patriots, now we have to keep a sharp eye in Denver, as well.