I have relatively high expectations for us this year, we could end up being in the playoff race, or we could end up tanking.  Either way, we still have one thing to be proud of, with all our collection of talent, we have one of the best Madden teams.

Speed is probably the greatest asset to a player in Madden. This is where our defense is outstanding.  We have the fastest linebacker corp in the league.  Thomas's speed is rated 83, Morrison is 80, and Howard is 88, while Morrison and Howard are both above 90 overall.  This makes for a lot of picks by the linebackers in coverage, just like in real life.  The secondary is probably one of the best in the league.  Hall and Asomugha are rated 93 and 96, respectively.  Hall has 99 speed, making up for his slight deficiency in other categories.  Both can be put in one on one coverage against any receiver in the league. Along with fast linebackers, this opens the defensive playbook up for anything.  Huff and Wilson are both rated 87 overall.  With Huff being built to play in coverage, and Wilson being built to stop the run, we have an ideal defensive backfield. As for the defensive line, Kelly is rated 91, Sands 83, and Burgess 92.  The weak link is Richardson at 72.  With 9 of 11 starters over 80-overall, and 6 of those over 90-overall, we should have a solid defense, if not one of the best to play with in Madden. 

On offense, we have a few things that nearly all other teams are jealous of.  We have a quarterback with 98 throwpower.  While his other ratings that determine accuracy might not be great, in Madden they are insignificant as the user is making the reads and the throws, the only thing he needs is throwpower.   We have a runningback with 97 speed and 99 acceleration who, by the way, can catch.  He can be lined up against anyone on defense and it will be a mismatch.  Combined with a powerback with the strength of a good defensive end, we have the perfect inside-outside combination. The last thing to complement all of this is a solid receiving corp.  Carter and Higgins can stretch the field deep while Walker and Curry can grab every ball thrown to them.  This is not mentioning Zach Miller who seems to have some sort of magnetic attraction to the ball.  None of this would be possible without the O-line that averages 83.6 overall. The Guards and Center are all 85 overall minimum.  The tackles is where the weaknesses are, but nonetheless are sufficient.

Special teams is something where we can proudly say we are THE best.  Janikowski has 100 kickpower with 82 accuracy.  However, the kick meter is not hard to use, making the accuracy a non-factor.   Lechler as 98 kickpower and 94 accuracy. We have the biggest boots in the country.  As for returning, Higgin's speed and acceleration make him an ideal returner, if you have the skill to make guys miss, Higgins will take you the rest of the way.

So when people laugh at you for picking the 71 Overall Raiders, just know that you'll be the one with the last laugh.