Forgettable Five Over Seventy-Five

Feature Article

Submitted on: 11/23/2011 by Mike Kilroy

While there are plenty of overlooked players rated under 75 who can be studs in Madden 12, there are just as many duds rated over 75.

These are the guys who you think should be solid contributors on your team, but who end up dragging your cyber squad down.

Kevin Kolb, QB, Arizona Cardinals
Overall rating: 79

Madden players who use Kolb know what the real life Cardinals are finding out the hard way: Kolb is pretty unremarkable. That’s not the trait you want out of your starting quarterback, either in reality or in the polygonal pigskin world.

It’s not that Kolb is horrible in any one area, it’s just that he’s exceptional at, well, nothing.

His throwing power of 88 is serviceable, but his accuracy numbers are rather pedestrian. Even more worrisome is his 70 accuracy rating on deep passes. A team with a stud like Larry Fitzgerald needs a quarterback who can get him the ball.

Maddenites who want to start a franchise with the Cardinals should look for another signal caller.

Mike Williams, WR, Seattle and Mike Williams, WR, Tampa Bay
Overall rating: Seattle Williams: 79; Tampa Williams: 81

These two have more in common than just their names. They are very similar players on the field in Madden, which isn’t a good thing.

The Seattle Williams is one of the slowest pass catchers in the game with a speed rating of 84. In fact, there are two punters in the game who are faster. The number that really pops out with the Seahawks, though, is his elusive rating of 36. Chicago's fullback is more elusive.

The Buccaneer has seen a significant ratings drop since the season started – probably because of his significant drops on the real gridiron.

His hands rating of 86 doesn't look so bad on the surface until he drops one early in your game of Madden. He then gets that dreaded “Drops Open Passes: Yes” designation. When that happens, you may as well forget targeting him again. He’s dead to you.

Ronde Barber, CB, Tampa Bay
Overall rating: 84
Barber lands on this list with a caveat: at CB, he plays well below what his overall rating would indicate, namely because his speed rating of 83 leaves him susceptible to getting beat deep by quick receivers. It happens a lot when you play man-to-man. However, put him at free safety and Barber is well worth having on your team.

Shawne Merriman, LB, Buffalo
Overall rating: 81
Merriman is a one-trick pony, and an injury-prone one at that.

"Lights Out" usually has his lights dimmed rather quickly because of his lousy injury rating of 64.

I have played many games with the Bills, both in franchise and in exhibition, and Merriman gets hurt far too often. The ultra-popular broken collarbone befalls Merriman in almost every game. Merriman also finds his way on this list of shame because he is horrible in pass coverage. The only thing he does well is find his way to the passer.

Dishonorable mention: LeGarrette Blount (81), Ben Jarvis Green-Ellis (80, with a turtle-like speed rating of 82 for a HB), Braylon Edwards (83, with a butterfingers catch rating of 75).

Who do you think are other forgettable five over 75 in Madden?

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Member Comments

# 1 ANDROMADA 1 @ 11/23/11 01:18 PM

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.

# 2 RB10 @ 11/23/11 01:49 PM

I'd have trouble saying Reggie Bush. He is fast and agile, I like that as a Wildcat, Punt Returner, Kick Returner, 4th-5th WR, and even as a running back.

# 3 RB10 @ 11/23/11 01:50 PM

By the way, does anyone know when or if this game has dropped to $40? Thanks

# 4 Scott @ 11/23/11 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RB10


	By the way, does anyone know when or if this game has dropped to $40? Thanks

Best Buy will have it for $29.99 on Black Friday.

# 5 TheTodd84 @ 11/23/11 03:09 PM

Shouldn't the "Forgettable Five over 75" be the last five versions of Madden which have all gotten ratings over 7.5, which is equivalent to a 75 rating? The last five versions have all been rated that high and have complete duds.

So my "Forgettable Five over 75" Would be Madden 08, 09, 10, 11, and 12.

# 6 Patscanes @ 11/23/11 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kpkpkp


	BenJarvus Green-Ellis! (Who I recently found out is nicknamed "The Law Firm." .......Even though I find the nickname hilarious, he seems to get stuffed in the backfield a lot on my Patriots.)

g?
Maybe your using him wrong?

He runs good for me

# 7 havokeff @ 11/23/11 04:25 PM

Blount is a beast. When I play AGAINST him. He usually tops 2000 yards at some point down the road in franchise as well.

# 8 X12Celtics3 @ 11/23/11 05:00 PM

I have no issue running with Green-Ellis... as long as you keep him between the tackles his speed isn't really an issue. He never breaks off huge runs, but I get a lot of 8-9 yard runs and very rarely lose yardage.

If you need to run to the outside, just sub in one of the faster backs like Woodehead, Vereen, or even Ridley.

# 9 KBLover @ 11/23/11 05:19 PM

Completely disagree with Tampa's Mike Williams (he was the only guy I could count on the year before last in my franchise and earned the Offensive Playmaker role.) Getting negative DPP sucks on him, but I always try to use a good pattern to get him open in the red zone since a TD catch will push his DPP back up.

Also disagree with Blount. He, too, picked up Offensive Playmaker, and racked up quite a few yards. That year my offense was literally just Freeman, Williams, Blount. Went 10-6 and won the Super Bowl.

Barber, I kind of agree with, though, even at Corner, I just get more ZCV CBs and made a Zone Heavy playbook and he was fine as along as I called good zones and got a pass rush.

# 10 RoudybushONU @ 11/23/11 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cre8


	Any/Every Browns WR that is over 70.

I feel like Greg Little and Josh Cribbs deserve more respect, they are both becoming good receivers. Receiver isn't either of their nature position, so everyday is a learning experience.

# 11 havokeff @ 11/23/11 05:47 PM

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.

# 12 scoonie05 @ 11/23/11 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ANDROMADA 1


	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.

# 13 Faizon @ 11/24/11 04:27 AM

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.

# 14 fatleg3 @ 11/24/11 11:08 AM

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

# 15 PGaither84 @ 11/24/11 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JaySmooov


	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!

# 16 oneamongthefence @ 11/24/11 12:46 PM

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

# 17 HurtfulScroll1234 @ 11/24/11 10:18 PM

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.

# 18 DerkontheOS @ 11/24/11 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scoonie05


	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.

# 19 Evan_OS @ 11/25/11 12:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DerkontheOS


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

Look who's talking.

# 20 one5beast @ 11/25/11 01:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DerkontheOS


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

lol wow....major fail

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