Green Bay Packers Preview: The Pack, According to Madden NFL '11

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When it comes to gaming, Madden NFL Football has been without a doubt the most prosperous football game on the planet.

They may be the only company that is legally privileged to base their game off of the NFL, but it's a great game nonetheless.

Each season, we are introduced to new features, game play, and graphics that take the game to a whole new level.

It's amazing how much gaming has evolved over the last few decades, and it can only have intense gamers around the world ecstatic about the future.

One of the great things about Madden is that, no matter who your favorite team is, you have the ability to make them good. You can act as the GM of a team and it's quite enjoyable.

So, without further ado, here are the Green Bay Packers player ratings according to Madden NFL '11.

Quarterback: Aaron Rodgers (94)

Aaron Rodgers is tied for the fourth best quarterback in the game, which I would say is very accurate.

Notable Ratings: 92 Stamina, 94 Throw Power, 84 Awareness, and 85 Swagger.

Why they added "Swagger" to this list of skills is beyond me, but I won't question EA.

I think he is extremely underrated when it comes to his 84 Injury. Rodgers has started 33/33 times since taking over for Favre and managed to put up outstanding numbers even though he was sacked 51 times.

Backup QB Matt Flynn is a 57 overall...so don't let Rodgers get injured if you plan on using the Packers.

Running Back: Ryan Grant (88)

Finally, they start to show the man some love.

Ryan Grant has gone unnoticed over the past few seasons because the Packers are known for their passing game. Surprisingly enough, Ryan Grant still rushed for 1,253 yards and 11 TD while averaging 4.4 yards per carry.

Notable Ratings: 97 Injury, 92 Carrying, 94 Trucking, and 95 Stiff Arm.

For some reason, backup RB Brandon Jackson is slower than Ryan Grant, but impressively has 90 Agility and 85 Elusiveness.

Fullback: John Kuhn (73) and Korey Hall (72)

Kuhn! Kuhn! Kuhn!

John Kuhn is well-respected in Green Bay for his ability to block and pound his way to a first down.

They gave him a 91 Toughness but definitely botched his Strength and Trucking ratings. For an extremely physical fullback who knows how to fight for his yardage, he only has 74 Strength and 76 Trucking.

Korey Hall has very similar stats to John Kuhn, hence the close overall ratings, and rightfully so.

Both FBs get about the same amount of playing time, and it's honestly too close to call when it comes to determining who is the better player.

Tight End: Jermichael Finley (86)

Jermichael Finley emerged as Rodgers' favorite target during the second-half of the season last year, you know, when he actually got the opportunity to start.

Notable Ratings: 85 Speed, 87 Acceleration, 95 Jumping, 85 Catching, 87 Agility, and 89 Spectacular Catch.

Theoretically, you should be able to lob it up to the 6'5" monster every play and have him jump over everyone. However, that's not the case.

The man who was replaced by Finley, Donald Lee is a 77 overall. Although he is nowhere near Finley's level, his lowest rating is only 70, so at least he's consistently mediocre.

Wide Receivers: Greg Jennings (90) and Donald Driver (89)

Greg Jennings has a 90 overall rating, even though he had somewhat of a down year. I think his 64 carrying is very underrated, given the fact that he didn't fumble once in 2009.

Notable Ratings: 93 Speed, 93 Agility, 89 Catching, 90 Route Running, and 95 Acceleration.

Donald Driver, who is coming off his sixth straight season of 70-plus catches and at least 1,000 yards, sits just one rating lower than Jennings at 89.

Notable Ratings: 92 Route Running, 97 Catch In Traffic, 90 Awareness, 92 Catching, and 92 Stamina.

The next two in line would be James Jones who is rated 73 overall, and Jordy Nelson with a 70 overall. Both players who will put up decent numbers as long as No. 12 is throwing to them.

Offensive Line

Starters:

LT: Chad Clifton (84)
LG: Daryn Colledge (70)
C: Scott Wells (76)
RG - Josh Sitton (78)
RT: Mark Tauscher (83)

The Packers had one of the worst offensive lines in the NFL last season, surrendering 51 sacks. However, they played with injuries for about half the season, so their current situation isn't as worse as the statistics would suggest.

I think Josh Sitton is extremely underrated due to the fact that he only gave up four sacks and only has a 79 pass-blocking.

They didn't even get some of the backup's positions right.

T.J. Lang is listed as LG, but is currently the backup RT, and Jason Spitz is listed as LG, but is currently the backup C.

Defensive Line

Starters:

RDE: Cullen Jenkins (87)
NT: B.J. Raji (79)
LDE: Ryan Pickett (77)

Johnny Jolly is listed as a 75 overall, but as we all know, he is suspended indefinitely for the entire season.

Guess what? According to Madden, Justin Harrell is back! He's not even the lowest rated DE at 62 overall and he has 90 Strength...not bad.

And if you were wondering, rookie DT Mike Neal is a 67 overall.

Linebackers: Nick Barnett (87), Clay Matthews (86), and A.J. Hawk (79)

I honestly have no idea why Clay Matthews isn't the best LB on this team according to Madden, but it is what it is. He came in as a rookie and recorded 10.5 sacks without even starting at the beginning of the season.

Clay Matthews is faster than Brad Jones? If you say so.

The other starter in Capers' 3-4 defensive scheme is Brad Jones, who is rated 73 overall.

Backups:

Brandon Chillar (72)
Desmond Bishop (70)
Brady Poppinga (69)

Cornerbacks: Charles Woodson (97) and Al Harris (85)

The reigning 2009 Defensive Player of the Year finds himself rated 97 overall, one of the best in the business.

Notable Ratings: 92 Acceleration, 98 Awareness, 99 Stamina, 92 Jumping, 92 Toughness, and 93 Agility.

Al Harris, who is coming off a season-ending injury but is still considered one of the best cornerbacks in the league and is rated 85 overall. Good thing they don't have a rating based off penalties committed, Harris is a master at it.

Notable Ratings: 95 Stamina, 97 Toughness, 90 Jump, and 97 Awareness.

His backup, Tramon Williams stepped in and played very well for him last season and received a 75 overall. Brandon Underwood, who could very well play a huge role this season is 67 overall. He also has 52 awareness, so he probably won't be paying attention when you tell him to go into the game.

Both Will Blackmon and Jarrett Bush find themselves at 63 overall. Will Blackmon's hit power is a whipping 30, which basically means all you have to do is breathe on him and you're set.

Safeties: Nick Collins (93), Atari Bigby (79), and Morgan Burnett (70)

Nick Collins overall 93 rating is accurate except his catching. His catching is only a 69, but if that was the case he wouldn't have gotten six INT's last season.

Notable Ratings: 89 Speed, 92 Acceleration, 95 Stamina, and 90 Jump.

Atari Bigby is still unsigned so with a quick Madden update, he may be excluded from the Packers roster. His overall rating is 79 but will most likely end up backing up the 70 overall Morgan Burnett.

Special Teams: Mason Crosby (71) and Tim Masthay (41)

Mason Crosby's 99 kick power and 78 accuracy is, well, accurate. He can boot the hell out of the ball but had major problems kicking the ball through the uprights last season.

As far as the punting situation goes, 41...really? Mine as well have Aaron Rodgers punting the ball.

It will take the preseason to determine who the Packers punter will be. So far, Tim Masthay and Chris Bryan are in a very competitive battle for the starting bid. Whoever can perform in games will be awarded the starting job, the other will most likely be cut.