[KBLover]

Quote: Originally Posted by Phobia

Now where things get really complicated for the user is when you got to assess all these ratings together. Ok so he is a 80 awareness, 75 pass block, ohhhh but he is a 93 run block so he is a run blocker, but wait he is only a 79 in strength so he is weak, oh but wait he is a 90 in impact block so he must do something good right??? Then you are not only comparing all these different intangibles to how they apply in the game yet you are trying to decipher this among hundreds of players and who to start, who to draft, etc.

I'd interpret that as he's not going to push Wilfork around and will need help (low STR for an OL), and heaven help him against a bull rush from Wilfork (low STR, low PBK, Wilfork is a monster). With that IBL, though, I'd want to get him on the edge so he can run over some poor CB or something.

Personally, I have no problem with this. I wish DBs were rated on how they handle individual routes - more situational separation of ability, the better, imo. To me, the problem isn't that there's too many ratings, it's that the game doesn't consider them at all times (the 'magic play' type thing LB was talking about, among other things like fundamental football intelligence in the players, etc.)

Quote: Originally Posted by Phobia

I personally think ratings are hard to turn into "on-field" actions and it appear realistic. Real players are not rated, it is speed, power, agility, and mental ability against one another. Of course you have the specific abilities such as throw strength and accuracy but most players are not defined in this manner.

They aren't "rated" against each other, but if Ngata is trying to blow up a run play, his speed, power, agility, instincts, etc are going to determine how well he'll do. He has a certain level of these things. These are better or worse than other players. That can't be thrown out, imo. In computer games, that's ratings.

Quote: Originally Posted by Phobia

A 6'2" big CB such as Browner with the Seahawks naturally has a better time being physical and jamming WRs because of his physical size. Yet in madden this has to be accomplished by adjusting 6 or so ratings just to "appear" as if it will affect how he players like this. His natural WEIGHT and STRENGTH should dictate how he will battle a WR against their WEIGHT and STRENGTH. Then once the jam is finished his SPEED, AGILITY, ACCELERATION, and AWARENESS should dictate how well he can cover the corner versus his same physical and mental skill set.

A strong corner doesn't mean he can use press coverage. It would help him if his technique is correct, just like being fast enough to run with any WR is a big help going up against a blazing fast WR, but it's not enough alone.

There is always a technique difference among players. It shouldn't just be "I have high strength, so I should always jam the receiver."

Physical ability should, of course, be a significant factor. All the technique in the world can't help a guy if he's too physically overmatched. It just shouldn't be the sole determining factor.

IMO:

Physical ratings = what physical prowess/abilities you have.
Mental ratings = how you read the field/what's happening
Technique ratings = how well you use what you have to do what you want to do.

To me, all three of these areas are at work in football. A player can have good physical ability, read the wrong thing, and do that wrong thing very well...to no positive effect. Some players can do the right thing with lesser physical skill, but do it SO WELL that it doesn't matter.

I'm not saying Madden "needs" all the ratings it has, but if ratings are going to get dropped/condensed, how are these areas going to be reflected realistically?

I still hold the thought that the number of ratings is not the problem. It's the game's use (or non-use) of them in various situations, the lack of physical considerations (i.e. the STR thing not helping push/overpower, just "hold") and overall player AI.