The Patriots selected running back Laurence Maroney with their first-round pick (21st overall) in the 2006 NFL Draft. The former University of Minnesota standout was one of three players in Big Ten history to rush for over 1,000 yards in each of their first three seasons. The 5-foot-11-inch, 220-pounder finished his college career second on the Golden Gophers' all-time list with 3,933 rushing yards and 32 touchdowns. He also holds the school record by recording at least one run of 20 yards or longer in 16 consecutive games.
Maroney sat down with us to answer some questions about his life both on and off the football field.
FAVORITES
What is your favorite hobby? Playing video games. I play all the new games, including Madden 2007.
Which team is your favorite to use in Madden 2007? Hands down the Patriots. I use the team realistically, subbing me in and out.We're the best team on there.
What is your favorite movie? I have a couple. I would say Life and any of the Friday movies.
What is your favorite store to shop at? Up here in New England it is probably Demo. It's the only store with urban clothing.
What is your favorite homemade meal? The Thanksgiving meal is the best.
What was your favorite cartoon growing up? I really didn't have a favorite. Even to this day, I just watch whatever one is on. I don't watch sports that much. I put the cartoon channel on and let it play out.
What is your favorite junk food snack? Scooby-Doo snacks. Fruit gummy snacks.
OFF THE FIELD
Who is the best-dressed player on the team? I haven't paid attention to anyone's style yet. Now you are going to have me looking at everyone.
How long have you had your dreadlocks? Three years. They are not going anywhere.
How much money would it take to shave your head? A whole lot of money. I can't go back to a low cut. It took too long to grow them.
What is the best thing about living in New England? Playing for the Patriots.
What is one thing that you have always wanted to do? I wanted to make it to this level and play in the NFL. Playing for an organization like this is even better. I would like to do some traveling after the season is over.
What is something that annoys you? People that just do dumb stuff and do things backwards. You have to look at them again and wonder why they did it.
Who is the one player on this football team that can always make you laugh? Either Chad Jackson or the big fella, Corey Dillon.
Do you have a nickname? Kool-Aid. I don't like any of these new nicknames.
You were a two-time MVP of your high school basketball team. Were you an outside shooter or did you drive the lane? I'm inside all day. I have been 5-foot-11- inches for so long, then other people started to shoot up to 6-foot-4-inches.
ON THE FIELD
Describe your emotions when you took the field for the first time against Buffalo four weeks ago? It was exciting to play in my first real NFL game. I didn't want to overdo anything. I just wanted to stay under control, do what is asked of me and have fun.
What do you enjoy the most about playing football? Just going out on the field with the team and having fun.
In your mind, what makes a great teammate? Someone who is on the same page and has the same mindset. Someone who does whatever it takes to win. Corey Dillon could have been a veteran that said, 'this is a rookie that is coming to take my spot and I'm not teaching him anything.' He didn't do that, and I respect him for that. He wants to win the game by any means necessary.
What is the toughest thing about the NFL that most people wouldn't know? Meetings. They think the toughest thing about the NFL is playing. That is the easiest thing. The mental part with learning the defenses and the plays is much harder.
THIS OR THAT
Which reality show would you be better on: Dancing with the Stars or American Idol? Probably neither. I'm definitely not much of a singer, so I'll dance.
Bungee jump or sky dive? Sky dive. I wouldn't put my life in the hands of a bungee cord.
Play in the rain or play in the snow? Play in the rain. It's muddy and slippery.
Cook a meal or call for delivery? Delivery. I'm not a cook.
College football BCS or playoff format? Playoffs. Some teams don't get a chance because they have one tough loss. It gives everyone an equal opportunity.
Better wrestler: Hulk Hogan or Junkyard Dog? The Hulkster.
JUST FOR FUN
A lot of the fellow rookies have picked you for this one. If you could set up one of your teammates on the MTV show Punk'd, who would you pick? Why are they picking me? I would have to get Tom Brady. It would be funny to see how he would react.
If this team had an arm wrestling tournament, who would walk away with the championship? Heath Evans.
If you could make one of your teammates grow dreads, who would you select? That's funny. I would make Tom Brady grow them out.
If MTV were holding auditions for the Real World at Gillette Stadium, which one of the rookies would be selected for the show? Me. They would definitely pick me.
