26 Players Who Will Be Slighted in Madden 2012

When Madden 2012 is released next month, it is sure to be a best-seller (despite having Peyton Hillis of the Cleveland Browns on the cover) for one particular reason.

Fans will be absolutely thrilled that football has returned, and they will want to celebrate by playing their favorite video game.

The following slides will address 26 players who will be at least somewhat slighted in the 2012 edition of Madden NFL. 

Jeremy Maclin, WR, Philadelphia Eagles

Maclin is consistently underrated and overshadowed by his teammates: Michael Vick, LeSean McCoy, and of course, DeSean Jackson.

But it is Maclin who is the most complete receiver on the team and a top 15 wide receiver in the NFL. 

Jon Beason, LB, Carolina Panthers

Beason is one of the top linebackers in the league. But when you're playing for the Carolina Panthers, it's pretty hard to get any sort of attention. 

It's also difficult when you're playing in the same division as Jonathan Vilma, Barrett Ruud and Curtis Lofton. 

Kansas City Chiefs, DB, Brandon Flowers

Flowers hasn't emerged as anything close to a big name yet in the NFL, despite the Chiefs earning the division title last season.

He tied for second in the league in passes defensed and intercepted five passes in 2010. 

Chicago Bears, QB, Jay Cutler

Cutler has been under a lot of criticism in the offseason for his disappointing performance in the team's NFC championship game loss to the Green Bay Packers. That, and his reputation as a soft player, will hurt his ranking.

It's unfortunate because Cutler is a top 10 quarterback in the NFL. 

Tony Romo, QB, Dallas Cowboys

Even though he spent much of last season on the sidelines (and playing golf in his free time), Tony Romo is one of the most productive quarterbacks in the league.

Just look at his extremely impressive passer rating, which hovers in the mid 90s every season. 

Ryan Grant, RB, Green Bay Packers

Grant missed all of 2010 with an injury and was forgotten as the Packers won the Super Bowl with Brandon Jackson and James Starks carrying the football.

That doesn't mean that Grant, who was the starter heading into 2010, can no longer produce. He can.  

Gary Brackett, LB, Indianapolis Colts

Brackett has been the leader of the Colts' defense for close to a decade, even with players like Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis, and recently Bob Sanders, on the team.

He is one of the best inside linebackers in the game and is extremely crucial to the success of the Colts.  

Frank Gore, RB, San Francisco 49ers

Maybe it's because he plays for a relatively bad team in a very weak division. 

Or maybe it's because his team desperately needs a quarterback (and also had a stud young wide receiver and tight end).

But for whatever reason, Gore doesn't get the credit he deserves as a top 10 back in the league. 

Mike Kafka, QB, Philadelphia Eagles

He's never thrown a pass in the NFL and won't this year playing behind Michael Vick and the recently-signed Vince Young.

But Kafka is a rookie who was called the hardest working player in the NFL by GM Howie Roseman and the best rookie he's ever seen by offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg. 

Jonathan Stewart, RB, Carolina Panthers

Stewart is extremely young, has a 1000-yard season under his belt and is the future of the Carolina Panthers at running back.

Yet, DeAngelo Williams is the player who received the huge contract and gets most of the love. 

London Fletcher, LB, Washington Redskins

Every single season, Fletcher is among the league leaders in tackles, yet he never receives any glory.

In fact, he had the most tackles in the 2000s, and he has been to just one Pro Bowl.

This guy is one of the best linebackers in the game. 

Stephen Tulloch, LB, Tennessee Titans

Playing for the Tennessee Titans won't earn you any hype (unless your name is Chris Johnson).

But the fact remains that Tulloch finished second in the NFL in tackles last season. He should be at least a 92 in Madden. 

Bradley Fletcher, CB, St. Louis Rams

Fletcher is poised for a breakout season. But after 2010, he should already be considered one of the top cornerbacks in the league by Madden.

He is rated as one of the best tacklers in the NFL and is a very capable cover corner. 

Sam Bradford, QB, St. Louis Rams

He didn't make a ton of mistakes as a rookie, especially throwing to a bunch of practice squad caliber wide receivers.

But Bradford won't receive a solid Madden ranking, especially because he couldn't lead the Rams to the postseason in the weak NFC West. 

Jamar Chaney, LB, Philadelphia Eagles

A seventh-round draft pick by the Eagles in 2010, Chaney emerged as a force at the end of the season when Stewart Bradley went down with a dislocated elbow. 

It was Chaney who was called by NFL Network analyst Brian Baldinger as one of the best linebackers in the league (after just his second start).

Matt Forte, RB, Chicago Bears

Running backs are prone to breakout seasons. Matt Forte has not had his yet, and that will prevent him from being above a 90 in Madden.

But he is one of the more reliable and trustworthy running backs in the game and has been for several seasons. 

Philip Rivers, QB, San Diego Chargers

If Philip Rivers had experience playoff success, we might be calling him the best quarterback in the game. Instead, his name is usually buried around four or five.

He should be close to a 97 or 98 in Madden. He is consistently dominant every season. 

Todd Herremans, OG, Philadelphia Eagles

Herremans has been the most consistent lineman on the Eagles for a number of years.

But he doesn't receive the glory he deserves, especially with Pro Bowl left tackle Jason Peters and Pro Bowl-caliber center Jamaal Jackson. 

Herremans is long overdue for his first Pro Bowl selection. He should be close to a 90 in Madden. 

Kroy Biermann, DE, Atlanta Falcons

He's one of the best defensive players on one of the best teams in the NFL.

But how many times have you heard Kroy Biermann mentioned as one of the top defensive ends in the league? Never. 

Jamaal Charles, RB, Kansas City Chiefs

With a yards per carry rate like Jamaal Charles, you could easily make the case that he has been the best running back in the league, especially since he has been doing it for TWO seasons and not just one.

He should be a 97 or 98 in Madden. 

Leon Hall, CB, Cincinnati Bengals

Former teammate Jonathan Joseph received the huge contract this offseason.

But Hall is almost as good and has been remarkably consistent for the past few seasons, both in coverage and as a tackler. He should be a 90 to 92 in Madden. 

Quintin Mikell, S, St. Louis Rams

Mikell was the leader of the Eagles' defense for a number of years, over players like Trent Cole and Asante Samuel and Stewart Bradley.

But he hasn't really received his due as one of the league's best safeties. Hopefully, his new contract opens some eyes. 

Aaron Smith, DE, Pittsburgh Steelers

The unsung hero of the vaunted Pittsburgh Steelers' defense, Smith is overshadowed by Troy Polamalu and James Harrison.

He is one of the top 10 best defensive ends in the league and deserves a Madden ranking to justify it. 

Tashard Choice, RB, Dallas Cowboys

Choice has never gotten an opportunity to be a feature back and show his tremendous ability to the rest of the NFL.

With Marion Barber gone, look for him to play more of a role. He should be in the mid 80s in Madden. 

Hines Ward, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers

Ward is one of the top receivers in the league, even as he ages.

It's his receiving ability that is going to show up in the stat sheets, but it is his blocking ability and intangibles that should give him a Madden ranking in the low 90s. 

EJ Henderson, LB, Minnesota Vikings

Henderson is a tackling machine and has quietly established himself as one of the game's top linebackers.

But he is overshadowed by other linebackers in his division, like Matthews and Hawk and Briggs and Urlacher.

Playing with Jared Allen won't get him much attention either.