Madden NFL 10 Blog: Player Ratings - A New Philosophy, A New Era

[kcarr]

Another thing they really should have to help with these slower receivers using route running to get open is route based passing. The place where these receivers can really get separation is their cuts. This separation might not last long because the defender has the speed to close but it does last long enough that a well timed throw can still be made with a great deal of success.

[Bodizzy]

Sounds like a nice change. If you're basing mediocre, borderline NFL players at ratings under 50 and then situating Pro Bowlers and standouts above 80, for one thing it gives a greater breadth of degree to abilities and attributes. Now if that actually makes a WR's route running ability matter more, then this is perfect. Otherwise you're just creating a greater disparity for the sake of creating a greater disparity. It has to matter.

[Steeler99]

Quote: Originally Posted by Bodizzy

Sounds like a nice change. If you're basing mediocre, borderline NFL players at ratings under 50 and then situating Pro Bowlers and standouts above 80, for one thing it gives a greater breadth of degree to abilities and attributes. Now if that actually makes a WR's route running ability matter more, then this is perfect. Otherwise you're just creating a greater disparity for the sake of creating a greater disparity. It has to matter.

Along the lines of "route running", PLEASE EA, make sure WR's and RB's at least TRY to stop their routes BEFORE running out of bounds! It has been very frustrating in the 09 version to consistently see wide open players run directly out bounds before catching the ball?

[ch46647]

Quote: Originally Posted by Ian_Cummings_EA

Great questions guys. I'll defer to Donny on how he envisions us making sure that speed doesn't turn into the "all powerful" rating.

Donny would you care to elaborate?

[TDKing]

So your saying ratings are actually going to matter in gameplay.

[AlexBrady]

I love this feature but let me say that there are no true 99 worthy players in the NFL currently. Certainly, there are about 6 or 7 elite players but they all have shortcomings.

For example:
Tom Brady: struggles mightily with pressure in his face

Peyton Manning: a choker who is neutralized greatly whenever the pocket collapses

Randy Moss: the weaker the competition the better he plays and vice versa, alligator arms when going over the middle

Demarcus Ware: still bites on play fakes more than he should, struggles to recognize routes in man coverage, tends to drag the ball carrier to the ground rather than driving him into the ground.

Albert Haynesworth: not a factor at all downfield, when he is supposed to hold ground and stay in his gap, he will stand out of his stance which makes it a lot easier to move him, when fatigued he leaves himself vulnerable to cut blocks.

Nnamdi Asomugha: tends to stumble out of his breaks, takes poor angles when playing downhill against the run, can be caught guessing when the receiver is in front of him and he will make a false break.

As you can see, the "perfect player" simply does not exist. Do away with the 99 ratings!

[wookie48]

How come when it comes to speed, instead of a rating number that varies, why not have an actual 40 time gage how fast a player is. My number one pet peeve is seeing a guy who has the exact same 40 time as another and they both have different speed ratings. this way you can simplify the ratings to a set time overall.

[Steeler99]

Quote: Originally Posted by wookie48

How come when it comes to speed, instead of a rating number that varies, why not have an actual 40 time gage how fast a player is. My number one pet peeve is seeing a guy who has the exact same 40 time as another and they both have different speed ratings. this way you can simplify the ratings to a set time overall.

Great point, instead of a rating for speed just give us a 40 time? Or at least have each specific rating = a specific 40 time. Speed rating = specific 40 time, acceleration = specific quickness ....