It’s not a complete list of player ratings by any means, but as EA’s Madden 17 launch day grows ever-close, they’ve been giving us a glimpse at a few of the key players and their 2016-17 stats. Wednesday Electronic Arts released the Top 10 rookie ratings this season. Thursday it was the Top Five Quarterback ratings in the game.
Your top-ranked quarterback in the game for 2016? How about the Green Bay Packers Aaron Rodgers?
Rodgers has a 96 overall rating.The Carolina Panthers Cam Newton will begin the game with a 94 rating, New England Patriots quarterback and professional ball squisher Tom Brady also has a 94, Ben Roethlisberger has a 93 and the Seattle Seahawks Russell Wilson has a 91.
Who’s the top-rated rookie? It might not surprise you to see Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Jalen Ramsey atop that list with an overall rating of 82. Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott is an 80, but more importantly for gamers playing with the Cowboys, his speed is 92, acceleration is 90 ad his agility is 91.
Baltimore Ravens offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley starts his Madden career with a 79. Tampa Bay Buccaneers kicker Roberto Aguayo has also been blessed with a 79, as is San Diego Chargers defensive end Joey Bosa and Tennessee Titans offensive tackle Jack Conklin. Miami Dolphins offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil is a 78. Corey Coleman, wide receiver for the Cleveland Browns is a 78 as is the Chargers’ tight end Hunter Henry and San Francisco 49ers defensive end DeForest Buckner.
If you want to know what some of the rookies think of their ratings, EA has recorded their reactions and shared them with the world.
Madden 17 will be unleashed upon an unsuspecting public on Aug. 23 prompting millions of Americans to call in sick to work or school on Aug. 24.
Browns’ Bryant hopeful to play in 2016-17
After pretty much giving up on defensive end Desmond Bryant after he tore a pectoral muscle a couple of weeks ago, the Cleveland Browns actually got some good news Thursday. Bryant is already hard at work on a late-season return, with his eye on the last six-to-seven games.
“Absolutely I’m hopeful that can (play in 2016),” Bryant told the Cleveland Plain Dealer. “The timetable for rehab is 4-to-6 months, so it’s possible. I’ll do everything I can to get back as soon as I can.”
Bryant has been with the Browns for the last three seasons. Last year he had 33 tackles, one forced fumble and six sacks.
“These times away from football, as an athlete, I just try to focus on everything I can as if I were playing,” Bryant said. “And trying to elevate everything to the next level. I’m used to overcoming. When I get back, I’ll be as good as new.”
Former Raven Eugene Monroe retires
Just a few months after getting cut by the Baltimore Ravens, offensive tackle Eugene Monroe has decided to call it a career. Monroe made the news this offseason for his advocacy of legalizing marijuana in the NFL to help players deal with pain issues instead of the harsh and addictive painkillers they currently have at their disposal.
It’s time I put my health and my family first. It’s time for me to retire. https://t.co/nW83Djhk0d
— Eugene Monroe (@MrEugeneMonroe) July 21, 2016
Monroe was still recovering from season-ending shoulder surgery when the Ravens cut him loose.
“Today I am making my exit from the game of football,” Monroe posted at The Player’s Tribune. “I’m leaving the sport I love — the sport that has consumed my existence for the last 18 years– to start a new life. I’m nervous, but I feel like I’m ready for whatever comes next.”
If Monroe does stay retired, his career would have spanned seven seasons and two different teams. He was originally drafted at No. 8 in the 2009 draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars. Monroe has been with the Ravens since 2013.
Jameis Winston loses his baby weight
Before the 2015 NFL draft Jameis Winston made some news by looking like he’d drank down the entire chocolate fountain at his local Golden Corral. While he never “played fat” as a rookie, and in fact he was pretty outstanding, the desire to get in better shape didn’t leave him in the offseason.
Winston has been working with Attack Athletics and cut junk food out of his diet. The photographic results are obvious.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BIAu-FnjwBb/?taken-by=attackathletics
Winston has amped up his offseason regimen to avoid any pitfalls in his second season.
“I heard from around the league that most rookies that come in, if they have a great year, they don’t have a plan for the offseason,” Winston told ESPN back in May. “I had never handled an actual offseason before… I wanted to have a plan and I didn’t want their to be any excuse for any decline.”
