HABOOB

Some Cardinals players aren’t exactly happy about their Madden ratings

Jul 13, 2018, 6:30 AM | Updated: 7:11 pm

You know what they say: It’s all fun and games until the Madden ratings get released.

At least, that’s how some members of the Arizona Cardinals are feeling after ratings were announced this week.

And to their credit, the ratings are … well … surprising to say the least.

Sure, defensive end Markus Golden may be coming off an ACL injury from last season, but a 76?

“Nah man, that ain’t good,” Golden said of the rating.

Golden has been a force for the Cardinals on the edge opposite of Chandler Jones — we’ll get to him later.

In 93 career games, the 27-year-old has 93 tackles and 16.5 sacks. And that’s including last season in which he only appeared in four games before suffering the season-ending injury.

Golden received an overall speed rating of 81, which he was disappointed with at first. That is, until he learned it was higher than Jones’ rating.

“Okay, I’ll take that,” Golden said. “I’ll take that.”

Rookie running back Chase Edmonds set the bar low for himself, predicting he would receive a rating of 73 for the upcoming game.

But when he found out he had actually received a 71, he couldn’t help but express his displeasure.

“Remind them that I was the fastest running back in the three-cone and shuttle (drills),” Edmonds said before learning his agility (90) and speed rating (91).

“How am I … ?” he questioned, likely eluding to his low overall rating despite solid numbers elsewhere.

Newly signed guard Justin Pugh used his overall rating of an 80 to update his draft profile to persuade gamers.

“Young guy, draft me in the fantasy mode,” Pugh said. “I’ve got room to improve. What’s my speed? They got my speed on there?”

Long snapper Aaron Brewer received the lowest rating on the team, mostly because Madden lists all long snappers as tight ends in the game.

Brewer kept a positive attitude despite having a 44 overall rating.

“I feel great, I can play tight end,” Brewer said. “Put me in the game I can catch a pass. What do they judge on there? Awareness? I have a good awareness.”

While each player had their own reaction to the ratings, nobody was as upset as Jones — who was rated as an 89 overall.

Sure, that may not seem bad on paper, but let’s not forget all Jones did last season.

The 28-year-old led the NFL in sacks with 17, earning him Pro Bowl and First Team All-Pro honors.

“How do I lead the league in sacks and have an 89?” Jones said.

And when he found out that his speed was a 79, lower than Golden, let’s just say Jones wasn’t too happy.

“Come on now, I don’t want to read that,” Jones said as he walked off.

But there may be a light at the end of the Madden tunnel, thanks to some help from a third party.

After a rousing conversation of why Jones should be higher by Good Morning Football’s Peter Schrager, EA Sports finally budged.

The Madden ratings have caused quite the stir around the NFL and especially for the Cardinals. Safety Budda Baker expressed his displeasure with his 79 rating on Twitter Tuesday.

Meanwhile, former safety Tyrann Mathieu — who was signed by the Houston Texans shortly after his release from the Cardinals in March — also took to Twitter about his 93 overall rating.

Though, this was for a different reason.

Presented By
Western Governors University

Haboob

Desmond Ridder runs the rock against Houston...

Tyler Drake

Desmond Ridder eager to remind fellow Cardinals QB Clayton Tune about college wins

Cardinals quarterback Desmond Ridder may not know Kyler Murray just yet, but he and Clayton Tune go way back.

2 days ago

Chase Field...

Alex Weiner

Chase Field rain? Weather ends Diamondbacks-Guardians game early

Diamondbacks fans did not see a full game Monday, but they got to experience rain in Chase Field, and that's not something many can say. 

3 days ago

Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns is all smiles as fans call for Isaiah Thomas #4 to enter the g...

David Veenstra

Suns’ Kevin Durant receives March Madness score updates from fans while playing vs. Spurs

Fans sitting courtside in San Antonio provided Kevin Durant with Texas-Tennessee score updates while he was busy taking on the Spurs.

4 days ago

Kevin Ginkel celebrates...

Haboob Blog

The Gink?! Kevin Ginkel questions Arizona Sports producer Jarrett Carlen’s use of nickname

D-backs P Kevin Ginkel needs to have a talk with Bickley & Marotta producer Jarrett Carlen about how the resident jokester says his nickname.

10 days ago

Roger Clemens...

Jesse Morrison

61-year-old Roger Clemens pitches for Savannah Bananas

Seven-time Cy Young Award winner Roger Clemens returned to the mound in Houston on Saturday for the Savannah Bananas.

18 days ago

Nick Gordon celebrates a home run against the Chicago White Sox in the eighth inning at Guaranteed ...

David Veenstra

Miami Marlins’ Nick Gordon says he doesn’t believe the moon is real

Miami Marlins utility man Nick Gordon said he doesn't believe the moon is real during a spring training interview.

19 days ago

Some Cardinals players aren’t exactly happy about their Madden ratings