uncle flap

This article might help: More 2012 NFL Rookie Ratings in Madden Keep in mind however that in the past few editions of Madden, the ratings fluctuate quite a bit in a variety of ways. First, as mentioned above, the developers offer downloadable roster and rating updates throughout the season. Second, rookies/younger players typically get better with experience, and veterans typically start to decline once they are in the latter stage of their careers. Third, a relatively new feature has players' ratings change in-game and from game to game based on their performance. Players can find themselves on a hot or cold streak, which can last anywhere from a quarter to a stretch of games. The second two factors are more indicative of the user's gameplay. Younger players won't get better if you don't play well with them. Older players are less likely to decline (or may decline at a reduced rate) if they continue to put up stats. If for example you keep throwing picks with Fitz, not only will his ratings trend downward, he will find himself on a cold streak, which further lowers his ratings in the course of the game. Basically what they've done is made the ratings a benchmark that is fluid during the course of the game, and also the season if you are playing in one of the franchise modes. See this link for a more detailed view of Glenn's ratings My link

BFFs!!![ attachment=1416:cj-spiller-adidas-adizero-5-star-pink.jpg]

My first Bills game was when I was around 8 or 9. I don't remember much about the game itself, but I had an unforgettable experience walking to our seats. Some jets fans (in their early twenties I'd guess) were acting like jackasses talking smack and cursing at everyone who was walking by. My dad grabbed my hand and put himself between me and these jokers. As we got closer I noticed they were squirting condiments all over the place and got some mustard on my Dad's sleeve. Well, he grabbed on of the guys and threw him up against the wall, and stiff armed another to the ground when he tried to come to his buddy's aid. Security must've already been on their way because as soon as it started, it was already over. Security didn't say anything to my dad except to ask if I was alright and told us to enjoy the game. I'll always remember it because up until that point I thought never thought of my dad as particularly tough. Smart, funny, cool, yes - but I never saw him set it on anyone like that before, even if it was just some college kids. Just wanted to share that. To answer the ? I wouldn't bring kids younger than 10-12 depending on the kid. Odds are you wont have the debauchery in your face, but they'll certainly see/hear some unsavory things at least in passing. Also, unless they are into the game, you'll probably spend more time paying attention to the kid than the game. However, I brought my 7 year old nephew to the preseason kid's game last year and he had a blast. As mentioned before the preseason games are much more docile and family friendly.

White is a pretty good gunner. I dont remember seeing Choice on ST at all, but he very well could've been.

I think he meant god forbid he gets a lot of playing time due to an injury to Fitz or Fitz flat out sucking - two things I don't want to happen either. On the flip side, if that's what it take to find out that (unlikely as it may be) VY is the long term answer at QB, so be it. I'll be happy no matter who is behind center as long as the wins keep piling up.

I didn't mean to seem like I was questioning you. I get the role of an H-back and have posited that McIntyre could be gone in favor of keeping an additional TE/H-back. I just imagined Lee Smith as the guy who would trade time between lining up on the line and in the backfield - he's considered the best blocker, right? Chandler would be the traditional TE. And before Dickerson came along, I saw Onubun as the receiving TE/ hybrid WR guy. BTW, I like McIntyre and what he brings in special teams, but many of the recent additions have special teams skills and may push McIntyre out of a job since he is almost never used as a FB and the other guys play more valuable positions. EDIT: I know this is in a different vein, but I'm also down to sacrifice blocking to have both CJ and Fred in the backfield at the same time - both of whom are likely more dangerous coming out of the backfield than Dickerson.

Crazy to me that he's listed as a Fullback- I would've thought he would fit better as a pass catching TE or straight up WR

IMO, when a player is woozy or has had his bell rung, that player is in no condition to decide whether or not he should continue to play. Any competitor is going to want tough if out. The dilemma here is that, by definition, someone who has suffered a concussion isn't thinking straight. Even some one who is educated in the risks regarding head injuries is not going to be able to properly weigh the consequences in the midst of having suffered one. Speaking from experience - As a soccer player, I suffered a few concussions... Now, before anyone wants to compare the violence in soccer to the NFL, I freely admit the NFL is more dangerous and there are many more frequent collisions involving the head. However, for those unfamiliar with soccer- we don't wear helmets. Head to head (read: skull to skull) collisions happen often enough, and I've both dealt and received elbows to the head battling for balls in the air. I've also been kicked in the head a few times over the years, and I once was knocked silly by a goalie punching me in the head when intending to punch the ball away. On that play, I don't know what was worse: the fist to my head or my head hitting the turf. In all of those cases, despite seeing stars, I was raring to go. While some were merely bumps, some were diagnosed concussions. In all of those cases, I should have been pulled from the game, IMO. Due to the nature of soccer, even with a coach/manager calling you off the field, it is up to the player to take himself out of the game. Only the ref has the power to stop the play and make a player leave the field. In all sports, but especially in the NFL, the ref/officiating crew should have the power to remove players from the game when they suspect a head injury has occurred. Furthermore, the NFL should employ its own independent crew of doctors to assess players during the game and then clear them to return.

Welcome! Cool video - we'll see where he winds up on the depth chart but if he can still make plays like that they'll have to get him on the field in some capacity. I'm looking forward to see what the coaches cook up for him.

Just a thought... I wonder if McIntyre makes the team. Right or Wrong, the Bills almost never use a FB. His real value is one special teams. Many of the recent additions are supposedly strong special teamers AND play valuable positions. Who knows how it'll shake out, but I could easily see the Bills keeping three TEs, and using one as a full back when necessary.

The Bills were frequently stuffed in short yardage situations running out of a traditional two back set. In the first Jets game alone I believe Fred was stopped 3 times (at least) trying to convert short yardage situations, one of which was a fourth and inches. I know everyone was mad at the long throws on 3rd and short throughout the year - but it was because Defenses would stack the box and dare Fitz to throw. Say what you want about Fitz, but I want my QB to have the confidence to accept that challenge. Of course it'd be nice to have the arm/accuracy to make them pay with more consistency. And it wouldn't hurt if Donald Jones could've reeled a couple of those in too! It looks like the o line will be better this year and this won't be as much of an issue, thank goodness.

While VY never ran the Wildcat, he ran a double option offense out of a spread formation while he was at Texas. In principle, the premise is the same as the Wildcat: read the DE then decide to hand off to the RB running in that direction (where the blocking is focused), or keep it and run towards the other side of the field. However, you don't run the QB read every play in the double option. There are also designed throws and draws/counters/tosses. I'm gonna go ahead and defer to Chan and David Lee and let them figure it out. I'm sure they'll be able to cook something up that utilizes some combination of Young, Smith, Fred, and CJ.

+1 I'm glad those privy to inside info aren't afraid to share despite the mockery

I've seen this oft-repeated here, and it simply isn't true. They were only technically on the team at the same time for a short period, and that short time was during this offseason. Kafka will be given every opportunity to be the 2nd string QB and is penciled in at that position for the time being. He has been in the organization longer. Edwards was merely brought in for competition's sake. The Eagles had already decided not to extend VY's one year contract, and VY was intent on seeking greener pastures - somewhere he could push for the starting job.(Whether or not that's the case in Buffalo, that was his intent) Sure you can interpret the course of events to signal the Eagles value Trent more than Young, but to me it has less about the comparison of the two head to head, and more about giving Kafka a chance to prove his worth. At no time were Edwards and Young in a training camp battle or even involved in any team activities as Eagles. Edwards could not "beat out" VY simply because there was never any opportunity to do so. Now, I don't want to argue semantics here. If anyone believes Edwards made Young expendable, fine. I would argue Kafka is the one who makes VY expendable. http://articles.philly.com/2012-05-09/sports/31627060_1_training-camp-nick-foles-howie-roseman http://espn.go.com/blog/nfceast/post/_/id/36487/eagles-to-sign-qb-trent-edwards hahaha I already forgot about that! Did someone tell him VY isn't Vick?

If you are connected online, they update the rosters about every two weeks during the season. You can also edit rosters however you see fit. For offline play. What I was talking about is in Franchise mode - I started with the Bills actual roster current as of the beginning of last season, then trading and drafting players to make the Bills better. For example, I drafted a stud WR and traded for another. Same with the LBs. I also traded for Fred Davis. Had to replace guys who retire or had contracts expire and signed FAs. If you play by the intended rules, which are similar to real life limitations, it took me 2 offseasons to address all the needs. Sorry to go off topic. When the new one comes out I'll start a thread to see if anyone wants to join an online franchise. It's a lot of fun. In recent years, Stevie Johnson and Torrell Troup have played in our leagues.

This year will be my 9th season in 243 row 3 and I completely agree. When the play is in the other end of the field, just turn around and watch the big screen! As many have noted, the Rockpile is indeed a rowdy place. Personally, I love it. I can also easily understand why some people wouldn't. I've sat in the club seats plenty of times and while the view is spectacular, I don't like feeling as though I have to stifle my enthusiasm. To me, it's too docile in the better seats. I'm not a raving drunken lunatic either but I've definitely felt like one when I'm surrounded by people sitting on their hands in the club sections and below. Different strokes...

It took me two offseasons to get fix the Bills in last years Madden. For any other gamers out there: Do you like how realistic the offline franchise mode has become over the past few years - bidding against other teams for FAs while on the clock and having to do your own scouting with limited resources among other "real" features? Of course, you could just take control of all the teams and basically make any trades you want, which is to what Nishous was referring I assume.

My apologies- I misread what you wrote

When did Bush sign?

Thigpen is as good as gone. VY doesn't return kicks or play WR.

I think it's a combination of all three. However, I don't think he'll get a fair shake in camp to beat out Fitz. VY's hope probably lies (or should lie) in the idea if Fitz goes down, he can play well enough to keep Fitz off the field once he returns from injury. The Bills have been making steadily increasing noise about being a contender - that has to play into VY's decision. As far as no one wanting him, I think it boils down to two main questions: Does the coach think he has the ability to harness the talent, or is the coach worried about the potential for off field distraction? In regard to the Bills, and I've said it before, the locker room and atmosphere seem too tight-knit and confident to be disrupted by one bad egg. If anything, the classy crew that's been assembled in Orchard Park should help VY mature and become a true team player. If VY becomes a distraction- it's "Sayonara, sucka!"

Right here: Or if you'd prefer to read about it, here: Great Depression Articles via the University of Michigan

I've always held the belief that the 40-yd dash isn't the best measure of speed, just the most practical. Don't get me wrong, it's a good benchmark, but I think most athletes are going to find that extra burst when someone is chasing them or when they are in a race with other competitors. Racing/Running against an actual opponent seems to push the athlete more than just racing a clock, IMO. Here you go: VERY!

He ran 80 yards in 8 seconds in the above clip! I understand everyone has their own perspective, so I can't attest to how fast he looks to anyone else but me. But I just think it's plain as day the guy has got wheels. I've watched other clips too - I just picked that as the best example of straight line getaway speed. I think he's quick, too, not just fast in a straight line, if you know what I mean. If I had to knock Graham, it would be on his inability to get off the line against physical corners. So strength and technique are questionable. And of course then there's his trouble holding on to the ball in traffic.

hey, to each his own. As the infamous Dickie J once said, "perception is in the eye of the perceiver." And I know how you feel - I think McKelvin is talented and his troubles stem more from Catavalos and Edwards not being to maximize his skills than his own desire to develop into a solid nfl pro. He's got all the tools and he's hardly ever outright beat. When he gets lost in coverage, it's usually because there's a miscommunication in the secondary (prob his fault, but why do coaches put him in deep buzz zone? keep it simple!). I think he'll shine in Wannstedts's D- Jam and then play hook zone. He just needs to get his hands up. Same criticism coming out of college. These guys can't coach him up on that? /rant