The guys at EA usually get their ratings largely correct but, every year there are some suspect ratings that drive people nuts. I will be taking a look at the wide receivers you’ll be throwing to in August in this week's article. You’ll see which ratings are downright suspect and which wide receivers you’ll get ready to exploit online.

Who got hosed?

Santonio Holmes- 85
Pittsburgh Steelers
Santonio Holmes had a 106 more yards and 3 more touchdowns than Roy Williams (in one more game) who sneaked out a 92 rating. He’s a young up and coming receiver who seemingly had his breakout year in 2007. However, his Madden rating doesn’t do it justice in the slightest.

Joey Galloway- 88
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Joey Galloway had more receptions than Lee Evans (91), more touchdowns than Donald Driver (92), and more receiving yards than Anquan Boldin (95). So how did he get stuck with an 88 rating? I’m sure his age played a factor. He’ll be 37 in November but with no young Bucs behind him, he should have another solid season.

Bernard Berrian- 85
Minnesota Vikings
Bernard Berrian had 948 yards with Rex Grossman throwing him the ball for most of the year. He didn’t get much of an upgrade with Tarvaris Jackson in Minnesota, but it was enough for the Vikings to sign him to a six-year $42 million contract this offseason. B-Squared is entering his 5th year in the league should be entering his physical prime.


Hines Ward- 90
Pittsburgh Steelers
When you think of some of the most consistent pass catchers of the past decade, Hines Ward is near the top of the list. He’s only 32 and still has a few great years left in him. It’s a shame that he was saddled with a 90 rating. He didn’t have a mind-blowing 2007 season, but based on his past performance, he deserves better than a 90.

Who took extra?

Isaac Bruce- 86
San Francisco 49ers
If this was Madden ’97, Isaac Bruce would have been in the above section. Eleven games later and eleven years older, I have an issue with his 86 rating. He’ll be 37 in November just like Joey Galloway, except he didn’t have quite the 2007 he did. Bruce will also have the inconsistent Alex Smith (or Shaun Hill) throwing him the ball on a new team. He was behind Torry Holt last year, but it doesn’t look better for Bruce in San Francisco.


Greg Jennings-93
Green Bay Packers
Greg Jennings had a solid 2007 season. He caught 12 touchdowns from a pass-happy Brett Favre, but only had 920 yards in 13 games. Now with the inexperienced Aaron Rodgers at the helm, his numbers will most likely drop. He also shares number one duties with Donald Driver (whose numbers should go down as well). Jennings is a very solid receiver you can’t go wrong with, but he isn’t in the upper tier yet.


Steve Smith- 98
Carolina Panthers
Steve Smith is a top tier wide receiver in the NFL, but there is absolutely no reason he should be rated ahead of Reggie Wayne. Even last year with the quarterback carousel in Carolina he managed 1,002 yards and seven touchdowns. Though his season is nothing special compared to Wayne’s 1,510 yards and ten touchdowns. Steve Smith should have another great season with Jake Delhomme back behind center, but he did nothing last year to warrant that high a rating.


Devin Hester- 81
Chicago Bears
An 81 rating is far from the best, but the thing about Hester is, he’s not a wide receiver. Sure, he’s the fastest football player on the planet but there is a reason he was converted to a cornerback in college. His potential is high, but I’ll keep Dante Hall in the back of my mind.

Do you think Isaac Bruce still has something left in the tank? Would you like to throw your Terrible Towels at the guys at EA Sports? Are you Devin Hester here to tell us you learned how to catch? Be sure to let me know what you think! Also, vote on which position you’d like to see covered next week. It can be offensive, defensive, or even punters and kickers. The position with the highest votes will get analyzed next week.