It’s not often that I disagree with Patriots uber-beat writer Mike Reiss but after reading his comments this morning in his mailbag, where he states that Maroney is probably the 3rd or 4th running back on the depth chart at this point, I have to say I think something else.

We all know Maroney’s history, and believe it or not but he’s been a pretty good back for the Pats. Is he Adrian Peterson or even Maurice Jones-Drew? No. But let’s not forget he almost singlehandedly sealed the 2007 AFC Championship game with his hard runs. If it weren’t for the case of fumble-itis in 2009 most would’ve probably been pretty happy with him. (Not to mention the Pats probably would’ve won 1-2 more games).

Just because Maroney hasn’t played much in the preseason doesn’t mean to me that he’s in danger. In fact, just the opposite. I think he’s the starting running back against the Bengals.

Maroney is in a contract year, and by holding him out for most of preseason, the Patriots are pretty much ensuring that LoMo starts the season healthy. It’s like keeping your best stallion caged up, rattling him a little bit with all the media reports that he’s gonna get cut, or that he’s at the bottom of the depth chart. Maroney will enter the regular season, when the games actually count, with something to prove.

I think the Patriots are just preparing to unleash Maroney at the start of the regular season. He should be fully healthy, and fully pissed. Or as pissed as the good natured Maroney can get. I expect him to run wild over the Bengals and Jets.