Forget the Pro Bowl. Forget the awards circuit.
Madden is out.
The annual ratings of players across the National Football League by the John Madden video game has been announced again, and the players as well as game players want to discuss it. The game has become a phenomenon because of the way it ranks each player, and each team, at their positions.
For instance, the Bucs’ Gerald McCoy is the second-rated defensive tackle in the league with a 95, one point behind the Dolphins’ Ndamukong Suh. Linebacker Lavonte David has a 91.
And Jameis Winston? With an 81, he is the second-highest rated rookie in the league behind Oakland’s Amari Cooper. Tennessee quarterback Marcus Mariota has a 78.
Other Bucs’ rankings include wide receiver Mike Evans and cornerback Alterraun Verner (both 87), wide receiver Vincent Jackson (86), guard Logan Mankins (86), and defensive tackle Henry Melton (81).
In the 70s were linebacker Danny Lansanah, defensive tackle Clinton McDonald and center Evan Smith (all 79s), linebacker Bruce Carter, running back Doug Martin, corner Sterling Moore and safety Major Wright (78), cornerback Johnthan Banks and offensive lineman Patrick Omameh (77), tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins (76), safety Chris Conte, cornerback Mike Jenkins, fullback Javorski Lane, tackle Kevin Pamphile, running back Bobby Rainey and defensive end Jacquies Smith (75), tight end Luke Stocker, tight end Tim Wright, safety D.J. Swearinger, safety Bradley McDougald, wide receiver Louis Murphy and tight end Brandon Myers (74), safety Keith Tandy and quarterback Mike Glennon (73), running back Mike James, defensive end Larry English, running back Charles Sims (72). Defensive end T.J. Fatinikun, offensive tackle Reid Fragel and kicker Patrick Murry (71), follow, with cornerback Isaiah Freh and guard Ali Marpet at 70.
Is this player rated too high? This player too low? Then argue about it.
It’s why Madden is in its 26th year.
