Madden's Forgettable Five Over Seventy-Five

[JaySmooov]

Reading this list, it looks like Master Chief Syndrom creeping in.

"Why can't I make that throw?! I should be able to make that throw!!!"

The ratings in Madden, like or dislike, force you to play up to them.

Reggie Bush is a perimeter runner. His tackle breaking is low, his BCV is low, his carrying is low.
Therefore, he shouldn't be running between the tackles trying to find holes against guys with 80-99 tackling.

He needs to be outside running in open space where BCV isn't as important an tacklers are in the 50-79 range and he has less chance of fumbling.

This article IMO reflect the general lack of knowing football that 90% of players have.

"Ronde Barber gets beat deep and in man to man".
No crap Sherlock. He is a Cover Two corner, but it sounds like the writer of this has no idea what that means.

"Shawn Merriman can only rush the passer."
Yeah... AND? That is what Shawn Merriman has always been. A Pass rush specialist. He is 90% of the time the blitzing LB in a 3-4. If the author understood defenses, he would understand THAT.

"Kolb can't pass deep. Larry Fitzgerald needs a deep passer."
WHAT?! Fitz is an AMAZING reciever, but he is not a "deep threat" receiver. He is like Jerry Rice and Chris Carter. He catches short to medium passes and takes them the distance. Yes, he can catch the occasional deep ball, but it is not his game.

"Mike Williams is slow and not elusive."
POSSESSION RECEIVER. Does this author realize that not every receiver in the NFL is DeSean Jackson?

This article is pathetic and illustrates the contradicting personality of the majority of the Madden "Community" and the fact that when presented WITH realism, they can't handle it because they don't understand football.

"I WANT REALISM. I WANT THE NFL ON MY XBOX!!"
"OMG!!! RONDE BARBER CAN'T MAN UP ON ANDRE JOHNSON!! HE SUCKS!! HOW IS HE AN 85?!?!"

El oh el.

I agree with everything you mentioned, EXCEPT for the Fitz opinion. For you to criticize the guy for "not knowing football" you've seemed to miss on this point.

No, Larry Fitz isn't a "deep threat" in the mold of a DeSean Jackson, Devin Hester/Johnny Knox, Torrey Smith, etc. But he CAN go up and get it (a concept that still hasn't been properly executed in Madden) just like Cris Carter, Randy Moss, currently guys like Dez Bryant and even Steve Smith (Who I think is one of the best WRs at going up and getting the ball at it's highest point), and he also gets separation consistently due to his size. This being said, you need a guy who can put the ball in a spot where the WR can go get it, whether it be in a jump ball situation (which isn't that hard) or over the defender that is most likely trailing the WR. QBs don't just chuck it and pray; part of the reason Randy Moss had that 23 TD season was because Tom Brady is an extraordinary deep ball passer. Aaron Rodgers is having the year he's having because of his ability to throw it to SPOTS downfield to allow the WRs to go get them.

[scoonie05]

Re: Madden's Forgettable Five Over Seventy-Five

I would add John Abraham, Reggie Bush, The entire Bengals team(except for AJ and Red Rifle), Most defensive Tackles, and The Eagles(except for Mccoy). All overrated.

Reggie bush?? He's a monster. I just win the super bowl in my online franchise and Reggie bush was the super bowl. He had 1700 yards that year.

[khadeemw]

Ronde Barber is a good enough corner for me...i play 75% a man under mixing it some hook zones and flat zones from linemen...i like to press too...ronde is a great press corner....by the time ronde gets beat the QB is usually getting sacked anyway

[Faizon]

Disagree with Mike Williams

Speed isn't the only way to catch the ball in this game. At 6'5" with 95ish SPC, JMP, CTCH, CIT he's a great target. Often times I throw the ball high to him and he's got the DB beat by 5-7 inches. Who cares what his elusiveness is, why does a 6'5" 250lb man want to elude corner backs? His 78 trucking will plow right through them when he does catch the ball.

[fatleg3]

Blount definitely should not be on this list even as honorable mention. Blount is a beast running the ball for me. I can usually run for 100 ypg with him and that is with at least 2 big runs. Whats not to like about him. He breaks tackles and he is fast enough to not get ran down

[PGaither84]

Re: Madden's Forgettable Five Over Seventy-Five

No, Larry Fitz isn't a "deep threat" in the mold of a DeSean Jackson, Devin Hester/Johnny Knox, Torrey Smith, etc. But he CAN go up and get it (a concept that still hasn't been properly executed in Madden) just like Cris Carter, Randy Moss, currently guys like Dez Bryant and even Steve Smith (Who I think is one of the best WRs at going up and getting the ball at it's highest point), and he also gets separation consistently due to his size. This being said, you need a guy who can put the ball in a spot where the WR can go get it, whether it be in a jump ball situation (which isn't that hard) or over the defender that is most likely trailing the WR. QBs don't just chuck it and pray; part of the reason Randy Moss had that 23 TD season was because Tom Brady is an extraordinary deep ball passer. Aaron Rodgers is having the year he's having because of his ability to throw it to SPOTS downfield to allow the WRs to go get them.

I just wanted to comment about Madden not doing a good job with having receivers going up to get passes.

I used to feel the same way, but recently I have been playing Madden 11 with All-Madden sliders. I have user Throw Accuracy at 15 and Catch at 60. With 60 catch, receivers still drop passes, but now they actually try to go up and get it... and just as importantly, they do a much better job of keeping their feet in bounds. One of the things I think that really matters is having a guy with 90+ jump and 90+ spectacular catch. For example, I put Randy Moss back on the Pats for fun and played a game. While Moss isn't going to burn people deep up and down the field anymore, when I called posts he went up for the ball. When I threw a flag route, he kept his feet in bounds. When I threw a lob on a curl in tight coverage, he did a "rocket catch" animation all n his own, and back of the end zone goal line fades were so much fun to throw. However, I couldn't do the same thing when I tried with Deion Branch... and that's a good thing!

[oneamongthefence]

Re: Madden's Forgettable Five Over Seventy-Five

For me it James Jones. Doesn't really have any particular skill set worth keeping for. Not really fast. Doesn't really have an deep ball skills. His route running is meh. On a receiving corps of very talented recievers, he's the weakest link. IMO

[HurtfulScroll1234]

Since when does football knowledge have anything to do with Madden? The writer is reflecting that in the article. I agree with everything but Blount. Have any of you played with the Williamses or Barber and Merinam? They suckk. Players rated over 75 should be able to do multiple things, not just okay zone, catch s pasx and fall down or rush the passed. That's the point they are rated too highly for their skill set, thus overrated.

[DerkontheOS]

Re: Madden's Forgettable Five Over Seventy-Five

Reggie bush?? He's a monster. I just win the super bowl in my online franchise and Reggie bush was the super bowl. He had 1700 yards that year.

Wow..... We have to start making people take an english test before that are allowed to post here.

[Evan_OS]

Re: Madden's Forgettable Five Over Seventy-Five

Wow..... We have to start making people take an english test before that are allowed to post here.

Look who's talking.

[one5beast]

Wow..... We have to start making people take an english test before that are allowed to post here.

lol wow....major fail

[Reys]

Dang, why all the hate for the Buccs?

[thegregwitul]

Blount is a monster in Madden. For what he's rated (and he is underrated for sure), he can carry the load for any team.

[havokeff]

Re: Madden's Forgettable Five Over Seventy-Five

I agree with everything you mentioned, EXCEPT for the Fitz opinion. For you to criticize the guy for "not knowing football" you've seemed to miss on this point.

I missed no point.
I understand fully what Fitzgerald can do as a receiver.

However, unless you are arguing that the author of this article has a different definition of Deep Threat, than pretty much every knowledgeable football fan, then you are just babbling for no apparent reason.

I mean, I even said he is in the mold of Rice and CHRIS CARTER, who you go on to mention in your next paragraph. Please read and take a deep breath next time, before you think someone is insulting your favorite receiver.

And just to rebuttal here a bit.

QBs don't just chuck it and pray;

Dante Cullpepper with Randy Moss.

part of the reason Randy Moss had that 23 TD season was because Tom Brady is an extraordinary deep ball passer.

Really? How have those deep passes been working out since that year, after Randy lost a very noticeable few steps, and hasn't been on the team?

Aaron Rodgers is having the year he's having because of his ability to throw it to SPOTS downfield to allow the WRs to go get them.

This has nothing to do with your point as most of Rogers throws are to the back shoulder, and not up high for the receivers to have to go up and get, and are shorter throws that the receivers take the distance. You are getting into a totally different argument about passing control in the game, or the lack thereof.

[Bellsprout]

Re: Madden's Forgettable Five Over Seventy-Five

For me it James Jones. Doesn't really have any particular skill set worth keeping for. Not really fast. Doesn't really have an deep ball skills. His route running is meh. On a receiving corps of very talented recievers, he's the weakest link. IMO

Sounds like real life. Who says Madden isn't sim?