Madden NFL '13 maker EA Sports is releasing the player ratings by position, starting with the quarterbacks, then working their way through running backs, receivers and defenders, but I decided to look at quarterbacks after the release of the game's demo. The players are rated on individual QB attributes - speed, throwing power, throwing accuracy and awareness. A system that is far less complex than ESPN's QBR.
After playing the games demo and feeling the different nuances of a high rated quarterback like Eli Manning and a low rated rookie quarterback like Robbert Griffin, these ratings are going to be a big part of choosing what team you play with online.
Eli Manning stated last offseason that he was an elite quarterback and in the same stratosphere as Tom Brady. It looks like EA Sports agrees moving him into the top four quarterbacks this season. In fact I think it is pretty hard to argue the top five QBs this season, all of them have a legitimate argument for being at the top of the list.
The guys at EA Sports finally lowered a player, who missed significant time last season. They dropped Peyton Manning out of the top tier this season. It is a move that makes sense with his age and injury status being taken into account.
I think EA should have ranked the Lion's Matthew Stafford hire than Phillip Rivers. Stafford passed for over 5,000 yards last season and hasn't even hit his stride yet. Rivers is enter the prime of his career and is already starting to hit his ceiling. I doubt we will see any new wrinkles to his game this season.
I would also rate Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco above Michael Vick as quarterbacks, but not as overall athletes.
Here is the list of QBs...
1. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers: 99 overall
2. Tom Brady, New England Patriots: 98 overall
3. Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints: 98 overall
4. Eli Manning, New York Giants: 97 overall
5. Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers: 95 overall
6. Peyton Manning, Denver Broncos: 93 overall
7. Philip Rivers, San Diego Chargers: 92 overall
8. Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions: 91 overall
9. Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys: 90 overall
10. Michael Vick, Philadelphia Eagles: 89 overall
Watch the announcement below...
Who is your choice for the best quarterback in the league? Vote below...