The PFF team breaks down the ratings for AFC players in Madden 2011:
BALTIMORE RAVENS
While it’s pretty easy to judge and rate quarterbacks, Joe Flacco (87 rating) is a bit underrated here. His grade puts him in the average range, but he plays above his stats and has shown steady progress and star quality.
On the line, Madden misses the boat on Jared Gaither, scoring him 86 despite the fact that he was a monster in run blocking (eighth among tackles in 2009) and pass blocking (fourth). Perhaps he should have had a movie made about him (Michael Oher gets an 89).
And apparently the Madden raters missed Todd Heap’s fantastic comeback season. Heap (83) was a positive in pass, run block and pass block, and should have received an elite tight end grade.
While Madden tends to overrate stars, they’ve got it right with a 94 for Ray Lewis — if anything, Lewis should be graded even higher. Defensive lineman Haloti Ngata also gets a 94, which is a bit too high.
BUFFALO BILLS
Madden gets the Bills — they’re pretty poor, and the ratings reflect it. Jairus Byrd is the top guy at 87, and that's not going to cut it.
Fred Jackson (83) probably deserves more credit as well. Despite his atrocious pass blocking (worst in the NFL last year) and the atrocious blocking in front of him, he was excellent in the run and pass game. Averaging 4.5 YPC on that team was a minor miracle, but even his own team seems to have no respect for him — hence the drafting of C.J. Spiller (79).
CINCINNATI BENGALS
It’s splitting hairs, but how Johnathan Joseph (93) comes out ahead of Leon Hall (92) is a bit of a mystery. Hall has been the superior player for two years running — and while they deserve the elite grading, Hall deserves the higher score. Hall was fourth in pass coverage in 2009, Joseph eighth. Also in the secondary, safety Roy Williams probably deserves better than his 77 — he scored very well before going down to injury.
On offense, our main bone of contention comes at guard, where Nate Livings (77) outdoes Evan Mathis (75) despite Mathis’ No. 7 rank among guards compared to Livings at No. 54.
CLEVELAND BROWNS
We’re not sure what their graders are seeing in fullback Lawrence Vickers (88). He was 24th of 29 fullbacks last year. Wide receiver Chansi Stuckey also deserves better than a 68, having been a positive player over the second half of the season.
On defense, Matt Roth was one of the most underrated players in the league last year, and Madden follows suit with an underrating of 74.
DENVER BRONCOS
On defense, Brian Dawkins (90) got a lot of press for the Broncos' early run but was just good last year, and his score is based on classic Madden star bias. Young linebacker Wesley Woodyard (65) was a positive player and deserves better.
And although we're not in the business of evaluating rookies before they do a single thing, it’s interesting that Tim Tebow (70) was rated below Colt McCoy (71) and Jimmy Claussen (74), both drafted in later rounds.
HOUSTON TEXANS
Center Chris Myers gets the shaft (73) despite being the Texans’ most consistent lineman a year ago; so does halfback Ryan Moats, who wasn't Jim Brown but deserves better than a 68.
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
More or less spot-on here, although the gap between defensive ends Dwight Freeney (97) and Robert Mathis (95) to backup Keyunta Dawson (73) could have been even more Cumberland-sized. We’re also not sold on S Antoine Bethea as a 95 — he was good last year, but really didn’t stand out in coverage or run D.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
It was good to see outside linebacker Daryl Smith go from an 85 to an 89 in this year’s ratings, but he could have even gone higher in our book.
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
Congratulations, Madden raters. You nailed the Chiefs. Take the rest of the afternoon off.
MIAMI DOLPHINS
Brandon Marshall (96) is maybe a bit high, unless he regains his blocking form (No. 80 in 2009, No. 1 in 2008) with the more physical Dolphins.
On defense, Randy Starks (89) is recognized but effective teammates Cameron Wake (76) and Kendal Langford (79) aren't. Young cornerbacks Vontae Davis (82) and Sean Smith (79) are likely to outplay their ratings based on their 2009 performance.
Punter Brandon Fields (67) has to be muttering in his sleep, getting pegged as a bottom feeder after coming off a season where he ranked in the top 10 in gross and net punting.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
After back-to-back underwhelming seasons, it’s time Randy Moss (95) comes down, while OLB Tully Banta-Cain (79) got a slap in the face rating after a breakthrough year.
NEW YORK JETS
It’s understandable that the Madden folks would have a difficult time coming up with a rating for LaDainian Tomlinson. After all, he’s a megastar and future Hall of Famer. The final result (83), while not an accurate reflection of his play last year (try 68), is a nod to his past and to the core of the Madden audience that doesn’t care a whit about his horrific blocking and just wants to score TDs with LT.
Nick Mangold (97) should have been a 99 at center — he was every bit as good at his job as CB Darrelle Revis (99) was at his a year ago.
Quarterback Mark Sanchez gets the benefit of the doubt with an 82 rating; he was worse than just about anybody not named JaMarcus last year but showed signs in the playoffs.
Defensively, why was no credit given to fill-in defensive tackless Shane Pioha (72) and Mike Devito (64)? If Kris Jenkins (94) was so far superior, it sure didn’t show in when he was out. Also, OLB Bryan Thomas (77) was a beast in run defense and solid in coverage and deserves better.
OAKLAND RAIDERS
Left tackle Mario Henderson was the worst tackle by a long measure last year. Yet somehow, he squeezed out a 79 rating that suggests he’s in the ballpark of OK. It’s the same rating that the Patriots’ dominating Sebastian Vollmer got, and it’s safe to say that the Pats wouldn’t be considering a one-for-one swap.
On defense, Richard Seymour (92) still is earning his high Madden marks, but new acquisition Kamerion Wimbley (82) didn’t play to that rating a year ago.
Michael Mitchell, the safety who Mel Kiper memorably mocked the Raiders for taking in the second round of the 2008 draft, actually looked good in spot action and deserves better than a 68.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
For his troubles off the field, not sure why Ben Roethlisberger only rates an 88. Is there a category titled ABS (Alcohol-Based Stupidity)?
SAN DIEGO CHARGERS
Left tackle Marcus McNeill (89) has been a negative player three years running and is still riding a reputation earned (dubiously, it seems) in his rookie season. He's a good pass-blocker but poor in the run game.
TENNESSEE TITANS
Defensive tackle Tony Brown (83) deserves better after back-to-back standout seasons, as does WR Kenny Britt (82), who was quite good as a rookie at a position where most rookies struggle.
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