Madden NFL 09 RB Ratings Analysis

Feature Article

Submitted on: 07/08/2008 by Richard Chavez

Usually, the guys at EA are in the right ballpark when it comes to rating players, yet every year there are some suspect ratings that drive people nuts. I will be taking a look at the running backs you’ll be handing off to in August. You’ll see which ratings are downright suspect and which runners you’ll get ready to exploit online.

Who Took Extra?

Marion Barber
Dallas Cowboys
Rating - 93

How did Marion Barber bump up his rating to a 93? Let me find out. Was it by rushing for a thousand yards? No. Was it for leading the Cowboys to the Super Bowl? No. So how did he do it? You could say it’s because he’s the leading back in Dallas and the guys at EA felt he showed enough in his short time in Dallas to become one of the NFL’s top rated players. Wait, you can’t do that either. Though Barber did not start any games for Dallas in 2007, he got 40 more carries than the “starter” Julius Jones. Barber will definitely up his stats in 2008, but he hasn’t shown enough in his first three seasons to warrant a 93 rating.

Michael Turner
Atlanta Falcons
Rating - 88

Michael Turner has only 1,257 career rushing yards. That statistic is skewed because he played behind LaDainian Tomlinson his whole career, but the point stills stands. Either way, Turner’s stint as Tomlinson’s backup was enough to earn him a fat contract from Atlanta. Michael Turner is always a home run threat on the football field but the world does not know if he can take the punishment that a starting NFL running back will receive.

Cedric Benson
Free Agent
Rating - 80

If you think an 80 rating is nothing to sneeze about in Madden 09, you are correct. Cedric Benson is still a special case. After being arrested for the second time in 6 weeks, the Bears waived him. Chicago will not weep in his absence though. Even if Benson was on the roster, he would have been behind at least Adrian Peterson on the depth chart. After wasting the fourth overall pick on him in 2005, the fans in the Windy City have moved on.

Some running backs took a bit extra in terms of their overall rating this year in Madden.

Who Got Hosed?

Brandon Jacobs
New York Giants
Rating - 87

One running back has 204 carries and 975 yards, the other has 202 carries and 1,009 yards. One is Marion Barber with a 93 rating and the other is Brandon Jacobs with an 87 overall rating. Their stats are very similar across the board; the only major difference is in touchdowns (Jacobs had just 4 TDs). That can be attributed to New York having two other running backs capable of punching it in at the goal line. Jacobs still can score though. He did have 9 touchdowns in 2006 when he was the Giants third down back. With a Super Bowl under his belt and an offseason of rest and conditioning, he’ll be back in 2008 to bowl over anybody who gets in his way.

Ryan Grant
Green Bay Packers
Rating - 86

Ryan Grant of Notre Dame fame went undrafted following his senior year -- he spent the entire 2005 season on the Giants practice squad. He missed 2006 with an injury and was traded before the 2007 regular season for a future sixth round pick. Injuries depleted Green Bay’s running back core and Grant emerged as Brett Favre’s favorite weapon. He managed 5.1 yards a carry and 8 touchdowns in essentially his rookie year. With Brett Favre retired at the moment, the Packers will rely on him even more and he should have an even better 2008 season.

LenDale White
Tennessee Titans
Rating - 82

The former Trojan rushed for 1,110 yards, good for 12th in the league. He also had 7 touchdowns, five 100 yard games, and 57 rushing first downs. So how did the 23 year old get an 82 rating? I’m not sure. The only people with a lower rating are either platoon players or certain rookies. White is still the starter in Tennessee but hopefully the guys at EA notice this year.

Ricky Williams
Miami Dolphins
Rating - 80

Marijuana, retirement and wedding dresses aside, Ricky Williams is still a solid NFL running back. He missed the 2006 season with a drug-induced retirement but came back to Miami in 2007. He managed only six carries after tearing the pectoral muscle in his right shoulder. All reports say he should be ready for the upcoming season and will be Ronnie Brown’s primary backup. An 80 rating should be nothing for the former 1,800 yard rusher. Williams knows that if his NFL opponents forget he’s on the field, he’ll smoke them.

Do you run well on grass like Ricky Williams? Is LenDale White the only Trojan you need? Have you gone sailing with Cedric Benson lately? Be sure to let me know what you think!

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Member Comments

# 21 BezO @ 07/09/08 11:17 AM

Lowering Barber's speed would lower his overall. Despite being one of the slowest tailbacks in the league, he has a 90+ speed rating, I guess because EA hasn't figured out how to make slower backs good, without inflating their speed.

But I don't have a problem with Barber's 93 overall. He's definitely one of the best backs in the league. What rating would you lower because he didn't cary the full load? You can't lower his physical skills because he didn't play ever down. Maybe putting his endurance in check would balance him out so you couldn't give him 30 carries a game. But the only other rating I would lower is his speed.

I think Jacobs is about right. Not to knock him, but he gets a lot of yards simply because defenders are scared to tackle him. Looking at his individual ratings, I'm not sure where he could be improved. Comparing him to Barber, I would only give him the edge in speed, and maybe strength.

# 22 Nza @ 07/09/08 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bengleu22


	white is fat and slow. good for 3 yards up the middle. i thought they made him too fast as it is. he already has the speed of some corners and wr's, which is a joke. do you want white running sweeps? he doesn't do that because he can't, so why should his rating be higher? he's a one trick chubby pony. i like the idea someone else brought up of average players being in the 70's, good players in the 80's and superstars in the 90's. Neither Barber or Jacobs fall into the "superstar" category because neither of them have ever been a feature back. Barber still won't be with Felix Jones joining the Cowboys. screw it, let's just make everyone 95+ that way nobody's offended.

Whilst I agree with a lot of that, I feel 82 is still too low. I think around 85, 86 would be more intune with his season last year, which wasn't bad considering he played most of the year with a semi-serious knee injury. More awareness would be in order IMO as he does have good vision.

# 23 weapon311 @ 07/09/08 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ronnyballgame


	The RBs who warrant the highest ratings are Tomlinson, Westbrook and Peterson. I am a Cowboys fans, die hard, but I will admit, Westbrook is the 2nd best back in the game. Hands down.

glad to hear respect from a cowboys fan... i've being saying westy is elite if he could stay healthy and now hes proving my point. marion is way overrated in madden and until he has a season as the #1 with good numbers would i give him a 93. now demarcus ware, hes scary good. one of the best defenseman in the game.

# 24 Sigma4Life @ 07/09/08 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BezO


	Lowering Barber's speed would lower his overall. Despite being one of the slowest tailbacks in the league, he has a 90+ speed rating, I guess because EA hasn't figured out how to make slower backs good, without inflating their speed. But I don't have a problem with Barber's 93 overall. He's definitely one of the best backs in the league. What rating would you lower because he didn't cary the full load? You can't lower his physical skills because he didn't play ever down. Maybe putting his endurance in check would balance him out so you couldn't give him 30 carries a game. But the only other rating I would lower is his speed. I think Jacobs is about right. Not to knock him, but he gets a lot of yards simply because defenders are scared to tackle him. Looking at his individual ratings, I'm not sure where he could be improved. Comparing him to Barber, I would only give him the edge in speed, and maybe strength.

Marion Barber is widely considered the toughest back to tackle in the entire NFL. Not only that but he has great vision and excellent quickness. I agree that his speed should be dropped a notch or two but otherwise I think he is accurately rated.

Just ask the Patriots:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3G-AccySjo

# 25 Ghettoshark @ 07/09/08 04:18 PM

Adrian Peterson is running behind the best line in the NFL. He is not the back that everybody makes him out to be. Remember Chester Taylor? He had a successful year running behind the same line, and rushed for over 100 each of the games that Peterson missed. Adrian Peterson is overrated.

# 26 o 99 PROBL3MS o @ 07/09/08 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sigma4Life


	Adrian Peterson might have broken the single season rushing record if not for his injury. I don't see how anyone can complain about his ratings. He had one of the most amazing seasons in the history of the NFL.

LOL One of the most amazing seasons in NFL by Adrian Peterson??? Since when did 1341 yards become an amazing season??? Injuries can't be used as an excuse either because Peterson's running style is what results in him being so injury prone. This is the NFL and in the NFL you can't run everyone over as Adrian as found out. I'm sorry but 1300 yards doesn't make you one of the top 3 RB's in the NFL.

Edjerrin James rushed for 1500+ yards as a rooie and didn't zoom all the way to a 95OVR. Peterson should be the top RB on this list. Tomlinson, Westbrook, Portis, Fred Taylor, Steven Jackson, and Willis Mcgahee should all have higher overall ratings than AD. I love you frat brother but don't agree on Peterson. He had two huge games but hasn't proven he can even stay healthy yet. Sorry bro but nothing is spectacular about 1300 yards. 1600 yards is what i would consider a great season for an NFL RB. That means he held an average of 100 yards per game.

# 27 Sigma4Life @ 07/09/08 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RICK JAMES 1914


	LOL One of the most amazing seasons in NFL by Adrian Peterson??? Since when did 1341 yards become an amazing season??? Injuries can't be used as an excuse either because Peterson's running style is what results in him being so injury prone. This is the NFL and in the NFL you can't run everyone over as Adrian as found out. I'm sorry but 1300 yards doesn't make you one of the top 3 RB's in the NFL. Edjerrin James rushed for 1500+ yards as a rooie and didn't zoom all the way to a 95OVR. Peterson should be the top RB on this list. Tomlinson, Westbrook, Portis, Fred Taylor, Steven Jackson, and Willis Mcgahee should all have higher overall ratings than AD. I love you frat brother but don't agree on Peterson. He had two huge games but hasn't proven he can even stay healthy yet. Sorry bro but nothing is spectacular about 1300 yards. 1600 yards is what i would consider a great season for an NFL RB. That means he held an average of 100 yards per game.

You make very valid points LOL. I may have gotten a bit ahead of myself but his games against Chi and SD were legendary. 11.2 YPC and 9.9 YPC in the NFL? That's insane.

# 28 infamous995 @ 07/29/08 04:54 AM

umm Clinton Portis fan...is he really better than Marion Barber.Clinton avg 3.9 yards per carry which is terrible, he went the Eddie George route to get 1000 yards.Marion Barber avg 4.8 yards a carry and was 25 yards from 1000, the numbers clearly show who is better. Clinton did get screwed though, he should have the elusive weapon but i think they stripped him from that. Brandon Jacobs i believe does deserve an higher ovr rating but i agree with his attributes except for trucking, that should be 99 without a doubt. And Barber's trucking should be around 92-95 not a damn 99 lol. Maybe Jacobs is isnt in the 90s because he has little speed and he cant catch out the back field at all, he dropped passes all season.(not an complete back) I do think EA screwed Barber on the elusive rating(85) I believe it should be in the mid 90s. He led the league in broken tackles, he didnt just run over everyone, he eluded people too! I dont know how that would effect his ovr but it wouldnt change it much. Michael Turner I believe is over rated and Lendale White is underrated. lol Troy Hambrick(the fat RB after Emmitt left Dallas) was an 85. Lendale should be around that as well. They are similar, they both are fat and over achieved by rushing for 1000 yrds. Michael Turner is solid, in comparison to Brandon Jacobs he is more of a complete back but is less effective running and he is a decent kick-off return man, I think he warrants a 85 rating. I dont know about him having that truck stick though EA. Cedric Benson is a bum ummm he should be the lowest rated RB in the game in my opinion, it doesnt get worse than him. He rushes for low averages and he fumbles a lot! Ryan Grant is a tough case. We have seen Marion Barber for 2 years as a back up and he has produced greatly. Ryan has done similar things such as make the best out of limited carries just like Marion. However, his number are a product of the system. He is a very good running back but he doesnt break many tackles but does have top notch speed, does have great vision. I would give him a 97 speed 93 agility elusiveness 89 and truck 86. He reminds me of Robert Smith, the former great Vikings running back. He will rush for high avg long as there is a pass threat but he cannot beat up and fight for yardage with 7 and 8 men in the box. Ryan Grant deserves an high 80s to a 90 rating. He is definitely better than Michael Turner and LeDale White. Ricky Williams didnt get hosed, he hasnt played nfl football in 2 years and two years ago he didnt even have his legs under him yet. He wasnt nowhere back to the pro bowler we know. However, he should at least be an 81 because anyone is better than Cedric Benson.

# 29 infamous995 @ 07/29/08 12:00 PM

^ another *****...if barber rushes for 101 in the 1st half, i think your coach would change his game play to stop that him. think before you hate!

# 30 infamous995 @ 07/29/08 12:03 PM

^ another *****...if barber rushes for 101 in the first half i would think Tom Coughlin would go into have time and discuss this with his d-coordinator and try to neutralize the situation. please think before you hate.

# 31 SoxFan01605 @ 07/29/08 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DonRSD


	cowboys 14 points in the 1st half 3 the 2nd the guy WAS their offense and when he couldnt run as hard the game went in the toilet watch the game again, barber simply got tired

lol...or there was a gameplan change

...and I DID watch the game.

By this logic, Brady must be overrated too since the Giants shut him down more than any team all year. The Giants played tremendous defense in the playoffs...simple as that (As much as it pains me to say it

)

# 32 Tengo Juego @ 07/29/08 01:34 PM

I'm sorry but I have to step in. Marion Barber is probably just as tough a runner as Jacobs and half the size. Not to mention he is a much better receiver and can be utilized in other ways than just in between the tackles. Both great...But Barber I have to say is better.

# 33 Schreck11 @ 07/29/08 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harlemal


	They robed Jacobs and grant. But to tell u the truth speed and power are the most important imo.

i think jacobs and grant are right where they should be i think they are too high

# 34 Tengo Juego @ 07/29/08 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schreck11


	i think jacobs and grant are right where they should be i think they are too high

Ryan Grant got snubbed with that 87 rating. He tore up nearly every defense he faced.

# 35 Tengo Juego @ 07/29/08 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DonRSD


	he choked when it mattered in the nfc championship game

You need to remind yourself of the number of times he actually touched the ball in that game. If there was one more mistake to be added to that game, it was the lack of carries he got.

AND how stupid do you feel?! Grant>Jacobs...thanks for the Pro Bowl player!

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