Madden 12: 10 Players with Eye-Popping Ratings

Madden 12 officially dropped on August 30th and many men and some women are just returning to work today.  The game has received rave reviews from most media outlets so far.  In fact, I will have a full review coming shortly for this, the newest incarnation of the virtual gridiron giant.

We all know the big dogs from a player standpoint.  Michael Vick is, of course, a beastly combination of passing and running.  Tom Brady, Peyton Manning and Aaron Rodgers are also amazing.  Chris Johnson and Adrian Peterson are two of the best halfbacks.

There are some other players with notable ratings, some a bit more obscure.  That said, think of this as a bit of a resource if you're drafting in a Fantasy Draft for the most part.

Here are 10 players sure to make you take a double look at their ratings.

Danny Woodhead: HB: New England Patriots

The Patriots scat back stands 5’7” and weighs only 195 Lbs.  It is no wonder that all of his power running stats are very low.  Woodhead was given only a 54 (out of 100) in strength, 44 in trucking and a 55 in stiff-arm.

In contrast, his agility ratings are very high, scoring a 96 in acceleration and agility with a 94 in speed.

He will definitely be the guy your opponents are trying to send to injured reserve.  Cyber Danny is an inviting but elusive target.

Joe Webb: QB: Minnesota Vikings

Many saw Webb get an opportunity to start at the end of last season for the Vikings in place of an injured and unmotivated Brett Favre.  If you watched the game against the Bears late last season, you saw Webb give a great effort in conditions that were cold and miserable.

Still, Webb showed his great athleticism on that night and Madden definitely hits him off with the goods athletically.  

More famous than his brief time as a starter is the Youtube video that surfaced showing Webb completing several insanely athletically leaps in a private workout.  So, though his 86 rating in speed, 91 in agility and 90 in acceleration are impressive.  The real kicker is his 95 in jumping.

Now, if I could only figure out how that helps him as a QB.  I think the Vikings are trying to do the same thing.

Brad Smith: QB: Buffalo Bills

You may know Brad Smith as the WR/KR/PR from the Jets.  Many may not remember, but Smith was a starting QB at the University of Missouri before he came to the NFL.  Like many athletic QBs, his position was changed when he was drafted.

Now Smith is with the Jets and Madden has him listed as a QB.  Mike Vick is the best running QB on Madden right?  Well, maybe not.  

If you include actually throwing the ball, then yes, but with just running as the criteria, Smith definitely has a case.

Consider he has a 92 speed, 94 agility, 91 acceleration, 94 elusiveness and a 98 ball-carrier vision to Vick’s totals of 91, 94, 95, 92 and 97 in each of the same categories.

Smith may actually be a better runner than Vick is on Madden.  If you are in a Fantasy Draft on Madden and you prefer running QBs, you may want to strongly consider Smith.

Peyton Hillis: HB: Cleveland Browns

The cover guy is nasty in this game.  His power running stats make you want to pick the Browns, no matter where you live.  An 84 in strength at HB? Wow, compound that with a 99 in trucking and a 98 in stiff arm rating.

Good luck tackling Hillis online.

Marcel Reese: FB: Oakland Raiders

How many FBs have you played with on Madden with an 89 speed rating?  Probably none.  On Madden, Reece is like Larry Centers, only a little faster.

Imagine those little dump off passes to beat the blitz going to a guy like this, instead of the Ovie Mughelli type.  It could be a TD.

Jameson Konz: DE: Seattle Seahawks

Konz is a second year player out of Kent St.  Taking a look at his 52 overall rating makes you say, wow, why is he on this list?  Well, Konz has always been a bit of a utility football player.  He played multiple positions on both sides of the ball in college.  In fact, he started training camp this season at TE, but was moved to OLB or DE.

Konz has a speed rating of 90 at the DE position.  His jump rating is an insane 96.  His other ratings are consistent with a pretty athletic TE.

Just because the Seahawks want to try Konz on defense, doesn’t mean you have to.  Edit that dude and unleash him at TE.

Dontay Moch: OLB: Cincinnati Bengals

Bengals rookie OLB Dontay Moch is a blur.  He is the fastest LB on the game, inside or outside with a 91 speed rating.  His jump rating is second highest at 93. 

He is only a rookie and his overall rating is just a 59, but if you’re doing an Online Franchise Mode with someone, Moch might be a good pickup late in your draft.

The Cromartie Cousins: Dominique, Antonio and Da'Mon

Probably the most athletic family ever to appear in a Madden game.  From a run jump standpoint, the Cromartie cousins are ridiculous.  Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Antonio Cromartie don't have a rating under 96 in any speed or leaping categories.

The “slow” cousin is little known Da’Mon Cromartie-Smith who only has an 88 in speed.

David Buehler: K: Dallas Cowboys

It is difficult to return a kick for a TD on Madden 12.  It should be even harder against the Cowboys.  Buehler is not only the fastest K in the game with a speed rating of 77, he also boasts a tackle rating of 55.

That is a better tackle rating than several starting CBs in the game: Antonio Cromartie and Aaron Ross to name a couple.

Larry Fitzgerald: WR: Arizona Cardinals

Fitz is the only guy on this list that is a truly great player.  He’s here because his ratings are so phenomenal, you can see the best the game has to offer from the WR spot playing with him.

Andre Johnson does have a higher overall rating (97 to 96).  This is mostly due to the fact that Fitzgerald only has a speed rating of 87.

That aside, everything else is bonkers.  A rating of 98 in catching and spectacular catch will keep you going to instant replay.

Now, if you can trade for a QB to get him the ball, you might really see something special.

Also, check out franchiseplay.net for sports video game reviews and presentations.