Madden NFL 11 Early Packers Info
by texwestern on May 27, 2010 7:00 PM CDT
in Green Bay Packers Analysis
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PrintSummer is here, school is over (or almost over for our younger readers), and I have officially graduated from the University of Wisconsin. What does that mean for me as a Packer fan? It's time to turn my attention to video games. Naturally, that means that it's time to look forward to the Madden NFL series, which has released more and more information about the 2011 version of the game over the past few weeks. What should you, a Packers fan, be interested in out of all this? Well, I've identified some of the main points for you, so let's take a look.
Around the time of the NFL Draft, EA Sports released some new information about how it calculates the Overall ratings for Quarterbacks, as well as the list of the top 10 rated QBs in the upcoming game. (Spoiler alert: Aaron Rodgers comes in as the 4th-highest.) Present at the information session were Hall of Fame QBs Dan Marino and Joe Montana and Madden NFL 11 cover boy Drew Brees, who gave their input on the game. I won't go into detail here, but it was interesting to note that while Madden NFL weights arm strength (Throwing Power, as they call it) more heavily than decision-making (Awareness rating), the real QBs see it the other way around.
In a more recent announcement, everyone's favorite over-caffeinated sports announcer is now doing the play-by-play for this year's Madden. That's right, Gus "He's got gettin' away from the cops speed!!!!" Johnson will be announcing your gridiron conquests, so look forward to some of this and this and this in your gaming this fall
More info about rookies to come after the jump.
About a week after the draft, EA Sports released their ratings for this year's first-round draft picks, which has been followed by the ratings for the second and third rounders in recent weeks. These ratings, along with a new feature allowing fans to give their feedback on the ratings, can be found at the Madden website.
Of interest to Packers fans: Bryan Bulaga gets a 78 overall rating. This seems pretty solid compared to the other first-round tackles: Trent Williams got a 79, Russell Okung is an 82, and Anthony Davis comes in at 75 overall. Meanwhile, one Iowa fan isn't pleased with Bulaga's seemingly low Awareness rating of 61. They certainly valued Bulaga's lower-body strength highly though, giving him an Acceleration rating of 90.
On a less optimistic note, second-round DE Mike Neal earns only a 65 overall. However, EA still has him listed as a Tackle, even though he'll be an end in the Packers' 3-4 defense. Maybe the position switch will benefit his overall rating...maybe not. In either case, it brings to my mind an interesting question about switching positions in these games. The ratings don't account for the type of defense that a player is in or his role in that defense, and I'd be curious to see how a player like Brandon Graham of Philadelphia would see his ratings change if he were to move from his 4-3 DE position to a 3-4 OLB in another defense. It's just something to think about.
Safety Morgan Burnett, on the other hand, earns a rating of 70 overall, but this is almost exclusively due to his obscenely low 29 Awareness rating. His physical stats seem reasonable and promising, and with a more realistic awareness rating, he would likely be in the mid-to-high 70s. I'd like to know what specifically drove the EA people who set up these ratings to give him the third-lowest awareness rating of the first three rounds (behind only WR Taylor Price of New England and CB Myron Lewis of Tampa Bay, who tied at 28).
As for other interesting goings-on among other draft picks, I was happy to see EA agreed with me and 99% of NFL scouts in giving Tim Tebow the lowest grade among the big-name QBs with a 70. This sits behind Sam Bradford's 80, Jimmy Clausen's 76, and Colt McCoy at 72. Also amusing was Jacksonville's "WHO?!" pick at #10 overall, Tyson Alualu, earning a 69; the Bills' 2nd-rounder, DT Torrell Troup, at 57; and the first-rounder with the fastest speed rating being, not C.J. Spiller or Jahvid Best (who were tied for second at 95), but instead WR Demaryius Thomas of Denver at 96.
That's all for now. Keep posted for more information to come when all the ratings are released over the summer and we find out what EA Sports really thinks of our team.
Oh, and I almost forgot. The game is going to look like this:
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this game...
makes me sad that I have a Wii. They totally MURDERED the game on Wii. I bought the 2010 version after sitting on the 2007 or 08 (?) version for a few years and I’d rather stick with my old version. They new players don’t make it worthwhile…at all. Sad.
Care to elaborate?
"Career highlights? I had two. I got an intentional walk from Sandy Koufax and I got out of a rundown against the Mets." - Bob Uecker
I think they used to be much worse
Almost every player was at least an 80, and way too many players had “elite” ratings. Plus, they didn’t really increase or decrease based on performance or age so for example, TO might still be rated like a 96 despite being 39 years old.
by Charlie Kelly on May 27, 2010 9:19 PM CDT up reply actions
Your right, they use to be WAY too many players ranked in the 90’s, but my main problem is the guys rated in the 70’s and 80’s. I think some decent players are rated a little too low.
Yeah, seems like they could find more of a middle ground. I liked how they made the truly elite players, elite. But I definitely think some guys who are not great but solid got rated far too low.
by packallday555 on May 28, 2010 2:11 PM CDT up reply actions
Yeah, it was. I just remember Tramon Williams being like a low 70 and thinking really? Also Leber on the Vikings was like a 68 at first or something haha. I just think they went a little too overboard with the whole, “Let’s make th truly elite players elite” idea.
by packallday555 on May 30, 2010 12:24 AM CDT up reply actions
if it ain't TECMO...
…it’s CRAP!!
Just kidding. I don’t play Madden, though. I’ve always said that I’ll buy a new video game system when they come up with a version where you can’t tell the difference between when you’re playing the game and when you’re actually watching a game on TV. From what I understand, they’re getting pretty close.
To toot my own horn here for a second, I must say that I was unstoppable at Super TECMO Bowl for NES. In my entire college career, I think I lost one game, and I’m talking about against human competition (room-mates, friends, etc.). I’d let my oponent pick their team and mine, but that only made the games competitive. …yep, yep… ah, the glory days! :^)
Hmm...
Never let your friends use Bo Jackson, did you?
"Career highlights? I had two. I got an intentional walk from Sandy Koufax and I got out of a rundown against the Mets." - Bob Uecker
It usually didn’t matter. …although the one loss I had was when my oponent had the Raiders and I had the Colts. But I had him! I had contained Bo and kept it close. It was tied up late in the 4th and I was driving for the go-ahead score, already in FG range and basically just bleeding the clock. The only reason I lost is because I randomly fumbled and Bob Golic (the NT!) picked it up and suddenly turned into Carl Lewis. He just ran straight down the field, nobody could catch him, and he walzed into the end-zone as time expired.
My friends went crazy because I’d finally lost. I just shook the guy’s hand and said congratulations. What can you say? Into each life a little Bob Golic must fall. …and TECMO was notorious for stuff like that, random glitches that could change the whole game. But, hey, real football is the same way (tuck rule, the helmet-catch, etc.) Doo-doo occurs, as the saying goes.
But make no mistake. That was total bs! hahah
by Curly Lambeau on May 28, 2010 12:49 PM CDT up reply actions
The new baseball games are amazingly realistic looking. it literally looks like the real thing!
By the way, there is a NEW Tecmo Bowl coming out this fall I think…
Boy, that’d be interesting if TECMO made a come-back. It’d be very hard, though. Most of the guys who remember and loved it probably don’t play video games as much anymore and/or have gotten so used to Madden that they wouldn’t want to switch back. Plus, Madden seems to have a pretty tight strangle-hold on NFL involvement and licensing, etc. I mean, without names and logos and everything else, the game just isn’t going to be very fun no matter how good the graphics and so forth are.
They were neck-and-neck back in the day (TEMCO may have even been a little ahead), but I’d say Madden has the market pretty well cornered at this point.
by Curly Lambeau on May 28, 2010 12:56 PM CDT up reply actions
I wonder
how the USSC’s antitrust ruling against the NFL might affect that. :)
-
The glass is more than half-full.
Good point!
Hopefully we’ve got some TECMO fans on the court.
…or, if not, maybe that needs to be a point of emphasis in future confirmation hearings.
Senator: I’d like to thank my esteemed collegues for inquiring as to your views on the stare decisis regarding a woman’s right to choose as well as the so-called “living constitution” idea and whether you favor that view over against strict constructionism. Your answers have been candid and forthcoming. However, I wonder if you’d now be willing to elucidate your thoughts on whether TECMO Bowl should be granted permission to use player names in the new edition of their NFL game.
Nominee: Senator, they told me it was going to be bad. I didn’t know it would be this bad.
by Curly Lambeau on May 29, 2010 3:49 PM CDT up reply actions
Congrats on your graduation and good luck with the upcoming job search.
Anyways, I played the demo of that new Backbreaker game, and while the physics engine is much cooler for running and hitting than Madden’s canned animations, the rest of the game is pretty mediocre so I’ll definitely be sticking with Madden, even though NCAA is the football game I play the most.
I'd like to persnally apoligize to Trevor........
for forgeting the rubber again…….
#4 Huh ......It never really get's old does it !!!!!@!#@$#$%
He truely is a fantacy football magnet . I wa joking in the RB post about the lack of depth at RB . Brett was at his bet with a scacy all-season running attack ! When the Organization gives Aaron this element he will become a force . Until then these stats are beautiful but…..It takes a team to win a Suprbowl . Step one is in effect by starting to build a O-line for the future . The RB position is a must since the WR Corp is set 4 deep with good talent behid them .
Can he become the guy that makes those around him inspired to be great . In time . He needs to stay health because said three years ago that This will be his coming out year ! But to go the long haul you need a proven Vet to mentor him .
Grime I caught to your remarks on the Vs.2005 site
Let me help . You have it backwards chum . When you realized my deliberately awkward style it shows that you are intelligent . Along with talented and organized . You lack the bold insight that comes with wisdom that LLV demonstrates . Pack ad555 is the kinda guy I’d pay to sit in the cheap seats and jaw with at any field . A clue . I’m an old school fan of the game and don’t hold a grudge . It doesn’t take a guy like me to crawl around in an opposing fans head or a Vike fan . Gonzo says one thing and does another and has a sense of self entitlement that I will correct in a few potty training sessions . Other than that he runs such an amazing site that he reminds me of Tomlinson . When’s he going to sell out and make a buck and run . I acknowledge good views and terrorize bad ones . Is that so hard to figure out . I once told a father in a MC Donald’s rush hour line he was abusing his son as I shouted . He gave me a look of terror and I said it was for putting a Bear’s jersey on the boy ! We laughed and he hated the Vikes that much more I’m sure.
A White Mercades pulled up in my construction site (in my younger days) . I motioned the car to the left and into a pothole on a warm August day . She rolled the window down . The female passanger was Hot!! The driver asked why did I steer her into a pothole ! I said that football season is coming soon I thought I’d just remind you of that ? She said you must have seen my Packer Plate cover . I told her to have a great day ! I winked at her friend and politely didn’t use the word Fudge . Wow what memories !!!!
haha
why cant we have more like you around here. If someone can make me laugh while talking smack its a wash for me
go to JSOnline
That’s all they do, so you should be happy.
…but I regard that kind of knuckleheaded “yuk, yuk… hey, look how great I am” stuff to be a waste of time.
by Curly Lambeau on May 28, 2010 11:11 AM CDT up reply actions
wow…stories like this really give me great insight into that brain of yours. Its a scary place I think. I feel like i just got listening to a story from my now deceased grandpa where he just jumped around all over the place. I laughed at times but in the end I was more confused than before the story started…
You do realize that you have just proudly admitted to being guilty of assault?
A grown person shouldn’t need to have it explained to them why screaming at strangers in public is anti-social behavior. Just in case you missed the memo, it’s not only a dick move, but also against the law. People go to jail for it. You shouldn’t do that anymore.
"Who ever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" -Frank Chance
"If [Ruth] had [called his shot], I would have knocked him down with the next pitch." -Charlie Root
in my construction site (in my younger days)
Good to know. I thought you were about 10 years old, and I felt bad about people calling you a moron.
by Curly Lambeau on May 28, 2010 11:09 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
I'm definately buying Madden 2011
For the longest time until recently I just stuck with Madden 2005. 2 weeks ago I won Madden 2009 because this guy thought that Aaron Rodgers started our game against Dallas in 2007, and not Brett Favre. I told him I’d bet everything I owned that it was Favre that started, but he only wanted my roommates wrestling game. So I used that. : ) It didn’t take me long to prove him wrong and win the game!
In 09’ though….Rodgers an 80 Overall? Al Harris is better than Charles Woodson?? AJ Hawk is amazing?? Vince Young is 91 Overall??? Kurt Warner is 86 compared to Matt Leinart’s 85 Overall? Ryan Grant has 92 speed?
Madden 2011 seems to have gotten things turned around. Rodgers’ overall looks far more accurate. I trust they dropped Hawk’s overall along with Young’s. Al Harris better not be faster and better overall then Charles Woodson. LOL! I have a feeling they’ll get it figured out in this game though.
"No player is greater than a team."
-Vince Lombardi
well things have changed a lot in a couple of years. Rodgers was an unknown who hadn’t been all that impressive. Keep in mind the game is made before training camps and before everything really. Hawk hadn’t been exposed as much back then…most packer fans were still pretty high on him and his upside.
Leinert and Young were both rookies who everyone had really high expectations for. Things cdhange…that is why old versions are tough to play!!
i know it...
but Rodgers was coming off a season that included a solid Preseason and performance against Dallas. Leinart and Young were both rookies that never took a snap in the NFL. I see your point though.
"No player is greater than a team."
-Vince Lombardi
Defending a Bears fan how epic !!
Does anyone have a real opinion about a simple comment . The stats look good but he still can’t win when it counts . Viking fans could admit it about Tarvaris . Are you all really this hurt over needing to wait another 365 days to hope Brett goes . I credit Aaron for not losing his confidence through all of this . I’m not a big Aaron hater . I deal with the facts that are printed not half butt comments with no substance …
Have I really drained all hope from your veins as you can’t even defend a simple observation . As painful as the truth is for you to endure .
The stats look good but he still can’t win when it counts . Viking fans could admit it about Tarvaris .
But see, this is where watching every one of the Packers games comes in handy. His stats are great, and so was his control/leadership of the offense in 2009. I don’t think his leadership was as good in 2008 but he still did plenty enough for us to be a playoff team. The fact is, there just isn’t much he, or any of the other guys on offense can do when our defense doesn’t show up.
Many say it’s just an excuse but just go back and look. In 2008, we lost like 7 games by 4 points or less. In pretty much every one of those games aside from the Atlanta game, he led our offense on a drive in the 4th quarter to either take the lead or tie the game. As for 2010, he did just fine. Sure, he didn’t beat the Vikings but would you say that’s on him or our defense? Honestly? Even in the Wildcard game he got us 45 points! I mean if the defense could have stopped Arizona at least 3-4 times instead of 2 times we could have won.
Saying “he can’t win when it counts” is awfully dramatic too. It’s not like we’re talking about Donovan McNabb who has been to like 4 or 5 NFC Championship games but only been able to get over the hump once. We’re talking about a guy who just finished his 2nd season playing. As well as a very young team, who also just made a complete defensive transformation to a new scheme. Maybe if by his 4th or 5th year playing we still haven’t been able to get it done, we can label him as justa stat Qb. Just doesn’t seem appropriate at this point in time..
by packallday555 on May 29, 2010 12:58 AM CDT up reply actions
Last year was 2009, not 2008
Double check your stats before AGAIN sounding like an idiot.
"No player is greater than a team."
-Vince Lombardi
Initiate Rant/
Next gen Madden games (on the 360/PS3) are rubbish. Absolute worthless crap. The gameplay sucks, the presentation is vapid, the commentary is pathetic, and, perhaps most importantly, franchise mode is a mere shell of what it used to be on old-gen. Honestly, Madden 2005 remains the best in the series to date, and it’s not even close. Madden 2010 helped bridge the gap but it still isn’t up to PS2/XBOX day standards. How sad is that? A game made in 2004 is better than anything we have on the market right now. INEXCUSABLE. I haven’t bought any next-gen Madden games and I don’t plan on giving them my $60 until they can make a game that surpasses the ones from six years. Shake my fricking head. If you want a good Madden experience, buy Madden 2005, send a memory card to a service and get current rosters, and use smh’s Madden Manifesto. Infinitely better than the shit they put out now. I’m willing to give Madden 11 a look, but I won’t hesitate to go back to 05 on the good ol’ PS2.
F*ck EA’s exclusive rights to the NFL. It has ruined football gaming.
/End Rant
"stay (green and) gold"
McNabb.
Ray Lewis was the cover guy in 05, Vick in 04.
by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on May 30, 2010 12:37 AM CDT up reply actions
It was probably before they added all these bizarre ratings that make no sense.
Excuse me, but do you REALLY need to have six different juke moves rated? No. It’s unnecessary, and I wish they WOULD go back to the old ratings system.
by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on May 30, 2010 11:54 AM CDT up reply actions
Thanks. I remember liking 04’ quite a bit. I did like 2006 quite a bit though. I guess I really liked pretty much all the Madden’s in the 2000’s for PS2.
by packallday555 on May 30, 2010 11:54 PM CDT up reply actions
I can’t lie, I definitely did like Madden much more for PS2 then I do for Xbox 360 but it’s still a good game.
by packallday555 on May 30, 2010 12:25 AM CDT up reply actions
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