EA Madden NFL 13 Roster update #14 (WEEK 13) - Continuing to track increases and decreases.

I hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving last week.  This blog post will continue my series of tracking increases and decreases throughout the year.  Enjoy.

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On Friday (11/30/12), the Week 13 Madden NFL 13 roster update went live (Here is EA's Blog).  

My goal with this blog series is to increase awareness when it comes to Madden players ratings.  As of this blog post, EA has still not released information regarding the standard procedures they follow when adjusting each individual player attribute?  By refusing to share an objective set of procedures that apply to all players and teams (equally), Madden fans will continue to conclude that player ratings are full of bias and inaccuracy.

You can contact EA on twitter at @EAMaddenNFL and Donny Moore (Lead Ratings Person) using @Donny_Moore to share your thoughts.

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This blog will update you on the OVR changes that have taken place since the Week 2 update.  I started at week two, because that is the first update after the regular season began.

* Below are some tables I created to track ALL increases and decreases (based on OVR only) that EA publishes on their website.  This table will allow you to see what positions are getting the most increases, decreases, and which ones are being overlooked.

Obseravtions:


-  The gap in the overall percentage of increases in offense and defense has really shrunk the last several updates.  58.8% for the offense to 57.0% for the defense.  The roster updates in week 11 and 12 gave a boost to the defense in term of increase percentage.  This week, the offense and defense had almost identical percentages (55.8% increase for the offense and 55.7% for defense).  

- WR and CB continue to be very close in terms of actual changes and percentages.  

- To date, quarterbacks have received the highest percentage (47%) of decreases for the offense, while safeties have the highest percentage (47%) on defense.  

- To date, fullbacks have the lowest decrease percentage (26%) on offense and punters have the lowest (26%) on defense.  

-  47 Players received an increase in both week 12 and 13 roster update.

-  27 Players received a decrease in both week 12 and 13 update.

-  40 Players were increased this week after being decreased last week.

-  32 Players were decreased this week after being increased last week.  

-  In total, there were 72 "flip flop" player rating adjustments in the week 13 update.  

* A "flip flop" rating adjustment is when a player is increased or decreased one week and adjusted in the exact opposite direction the following week.  This is also an example of a "knee jerk" rating system.  In this scenario, only 1 game has been played between rating adjustments.

- Since the week 3 roster update (the second update based on the NFL regular season), Madden NFL 13 has produced 454 "flip flop" player rating adjustments.  Honestly, EA can't even stand behind these adjustments for more than one week?  As a matter of fact, the new ratings are typically live on Friday and by Sunday night EA is already ready to back track on something that is only two days old.  Really?

- I will continue to suggest to EA Sports, that they utilize larger sample sizes (minimum 3 to 4 games) prior to adjusting player ratings and attributes in current/future Madden NFL titles.  I believe a larger sample size will result in more accuracy and less inconsistency in player attribute ratings.    

Madden 13 Roster update #12 (WEEK 11) - Tracking increases and decreases.

On Friday (11/16/12), the Week 11 Madden NFL 13 roster update went live (Here is EA's Blog).  

My goal with this blog series is to increase awareness when it comes to Madden players ratings.  As of this blog post, EA has still not released information regarding the standard procedures they follow when adjusting each individual player attribute?  By refusing to share an objective set of procedures that apply to all players and teams (equally), Madden fans will continue to conclude that player ratings are full of bias and inaccuracy.

You can contact EA on twitter at @EAMaddenNFL and Donny Moore (Lead Ratings Person) using @Donny_Moore to share your thoughts.

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This blog will update you on the OVR changes that have taken place since the Week 2 update.  I started at week two, because that is the first update after the regular season began.

* Below are some tables I created to track ALL increases and decreases (based on OVR only) that EA publishes on their website.  This table will allow you to see what positions are getting the most increases, decreases, and which ones are being overlooked.

Observations:

-  Increases spike for the defense, after seeing 3 consecutive weeks of balance.

-  Offense sees the highest percentage (47%) of decreases all year, as well as the highest total number of decreases with 102.

-  47 Players received an increase in both week 10 and 11 roster update.

-  27 Players received a decrease in both week 10 and 11 update.

-  29 Players were increased this week after being decreased last week.

-  30 Players were decreased this week after being increased last week.  

-  In total, there were 59 "flip flop" player rating adjustments in the week 11 update.  

* A "flip flop" rating adjustment is when a player is increased or decreased one week and adjusted in the exact opposite direction the following week.  This is also a "knee jerk" type rating system.  In this scenario, only 1 game has been played between rating adjustments.

- Since the week 3 roster update (the second update based on the NFL regular season), Madden NFL 13 has produced 316 "flip flop" player rating adjustments.  Think about that.  This is a direct result of trying to do weekly rating adjustments with "knee jerk" reactions.

- I will continue to suggest to EA Sports, that they utilize larger sample sizes (minimum 3 to 4 games) prior to adjusting player ratings and attributes in current/future Madden NFL titles.    

Madden 13 Team by Team OVR adjustments from Week 2 update thru Week 10

  Happy NFL Sunday Madden fans.  Last night I got the idea of breaking down all of the player overall (OVR) increases and decreases, team by team.  It only scratches the surface in regards to player ratings, especially since attributes are what really matter.  That said, I believe it's an interesting way to look at the Madden Ratings debate.

This breakdown begins with the Madden 13 week 2 roster update and goes through the most current update as of 11/9/12 (week 10 update).  I started with the week 2 update, because it was the first update based on regular season games.  Basically, the week 2 roster update is in response to week 1 performances.

I will continue to update this breakdown until the end of the regular season.  Check out your favorite team and compare them with the rest of the league.

Here is the table:

** Wins and winning percentage was based on all games through week 9 of the NFL season.  The week 10 roster update for Madden 13 is only based on games played through week 9 of the NFL season.

In future blogs, I plan on breaking down this information even deeper.  Stay tuned.  Please comment below on any thing that jumps out at you.  Cleveland jumps out at me; they only have two wins, but have the 9th best increase percentage.

Have a great day and enjoy.

Why are Ryan Tannehill and Russell Wilson being disrespected by EA Madden 13?

Throughout the 2012 NFL season, I have closely followed the progress of the leagues five rookie starting quarterbacks (Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III, Ryan Tannehill, Brandon Weeden, and Russell Wilson).  Along the way, I have tracked the EA Sports Madden 13 player ratings for these rookies as well.  What I've found is that EA Sports doesn't treat each rookie equally, at least not based on the statistics.  In this blog, I wanted to focus on one Madden 13 attribute in particular, that is deep passing accuracy (DAC).

Fans of both the NFL and Madden 13 love the deep ball.  Unfortunately, what is going on in the real NFL is not being accurately represented in the video game version.

Let's take a look at the deep accuracy statistics for these five QB's as of 11/9/2012:

* Please note that ProFootballFocus.com (PFF) gives accuracy credit to the QB for a dropped pass and they define a deep pass as "passing attempts targeted 20 yards or more downfield."

Madden 13 DAC is current as of the week 10 roster update on 11/9/2012.

Observations:

1.  All of these rookie QB's are exceeding the current 2012 NFL average, except for Brandon Weeden.

2.  Among rookie QB's, Robert Griffin III currently has the best Madden 13 deep passing accuracy (DAC) with an 88, but he is 4th in deep accuracy percentage (Acc %).

3.  What is going on with Russell Wilson and Ryan Tannehill?  They are both much better than the NFL average.  In fact, according to PFF, Tannehill is #1 in the NFL among starting QB's in deep passing accuracy and Wilson is 10th.  Is there an reason why Weeden should still be rated higher in DAC than either of these QB's?  In my opinion, "NO WAY!"

4.  Why is their such a big difference between RGIII and Tannehill?  Is EA still going off of NFL draft scouting reports?  I think they are.

Listed below are some quotes from Scouts Inc regarding the deep passing of these rookies prior to the NFL draft:

Luck:  "Deep accuracy is above average but can improve. Floats some of his deep throws and appears to aim it instead of pulling the string."

RGIII:  "Deep accuracy is vastly improved from earlier in his career.  Shows ability to drop the ball in between defenders.  Anticipation on deep throws is above average." 

Tannehill:  "More accurate short-to-intermediate than deep at this point. Deep ball sails too often." 

Weeden:  "Puts good air under deep ball to allow receiver to run underneath and adjust." 

Wilson:  "Misses the strike zone on occasion and deep accuracy is especially inconsistent"


5.  Isn't it possible the scouts were wrong about Tannehill and Wilson?  Isn't possible that Tannehill and Wilson have been coached up in regards to their deep passing?  It wouldn't shock me if Miami and Seattle fans see this as a form of disrespect from EA Sports.  

6.  All of these rookies have a long way to go in their careers and these sample sizes are relatively small .That said, we are over half way through the NFL season and EA Sports seems to be missing the boat on rookie QB deep accuracy (DAC) ratings.  


Final Thoughts:  

I have been an NFL fan all of my life, and a Madden football fan since the very first title was released in 1988.  Over the years the game has made amazing strides, but in recent years the inconsistency and inaccuracy in player ratings and attributes has been a sore spot for many Madden fans.  In the case of Tannehill and Wilson, I believe the lack of national exposure contributes to their inaccurate DAC ratings.  

Also, EA Sports does not have a true ratings team,instead they rely heavily on just one person (Donny Moore).  The job is too much for one person.  Fans should not expect accuracy and consistency in Madden player ratings until EA expands the ratings team, while at the same time implements standard rating procedures that will apply to each player and team objectively.

Madden 13 Roster update #10 (WEEK 9) - Inside the numbers.

With the conclusion of this week's games, all NFL teams will be at the halfway point (8 games played) of their NFL season.  When it comes to Madden 13 player ratings, the roller-coaster that is EA's weekly roster update continues.  

On Friday (11/2/12), the Week 9 Madden 13 roster update went live (Here is EA's Blog).  

My goal with this blog series is to increase awareness when it comes to Madden players ratings.  As of this blog post, EA has still not released information regarding the standard procedures they follow when adjusting each individual player attribute?  By refusing to share an objective set of procedures that apply to all players and teams (equally), Madden fans will continue to conclude that player ratings are full of bias and inaccuracy.

Although EA and Donny Moore have dodged this topic for years, I encourage all Madden fans to continue asking them explain their standard procedures for player ratings and individual attributes.  I believe fans are entitled a detailed answer to this question.  

What is EA afraid of?  Maybe, they don't have anything to provide.  Maybe, they just make things up from one week to the next.  At this point, your guess is as good as mine.  

Stop running from this topic EA!

You can contact EA on twitter at @EAMaddenNFL and Donny Moore using @Donny_Moore

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For this blog, I will update you on the OVR changes that have taken place since the Week 2 update.  I started at week two, because that is the first update after the regular season began. 

* Below are some tables I created to track ALL increases and decreases (based on OVR only) that EA publishes on their website.  This table will allow you to see what positions are getting the most increases, decreases, and which ones are being overlooked.

Observations:

1.  For the first time this season, the WR position actually received more decreases than increases.  As a matter of fact, the week 9 update produced the highest percentage of decreases for offensive players all season (43%).  

2.  For the second week in a row, the defense as whole was a 50/50 split (complete balance).  Year to date, no position has received a high percentage of decreases than the defensive line 47%.  

3.  At this point, I don't think these percentages are just coincidence.  Someone at EA may actually be following this blog and trying to make adjustments.  If this is Donny Moore's doing, I say "GOOD JOB DONNY" and it's about time.    

4.  Here's a three week look from the week 7 update (#8) to week 9 (#10) update.

27 players have had a ratings adjustment in three consecutive weeks.

Six players have been increased each week:  Chris Givens, Denarius Moore, Fernando Velasco, Jonte Green, Kai Forbath, and Kamerion Wimbley, 

Two players have been decreased each week:  DeAngelo Hall and Janoris Jenkins

Four players have been increased week 8 and 9, after being decreased week 7:  Donald Thomas, Jeff Linkenbach, Max Starks, and Titus Young Sr.

Two players have been decreased week 8 and 9, after being increased week 7:  Barry Richardson and David Baas

Four players were increased week 9 after being decreased week 7 and 8:  Akeem Ayers, Brandon Pettigrew,  Matthew Stafford and Michael Bennett

Five players were decreased week 9 after being increased week 7 and 8:  Anthony Castonzo, Jerry Hughes, Kyle Wilson, O'Brien Schofield, and Quintin Mikell

Two players were increased week 9, decreased week 8 and increased week 7:  Mtichell Schwartz and Russell Wilson

Two players were decreased week 9, increased week 8, and decreased week 7:  Erik Walden and LaRod Stephen-Howling


5.  Here are some final numbers from the Week 9 roster update (#10):


43 players received an increase this week and last week.
24 players received a decrease this week and last week.
15 players received an increase this week after a decrease last week.
20 players received a decrease this week after an increase last week.

*From the week 2 update to present, 101 players have received an increase just one week after receiving a decrease.  95 players have received a decrease just one week after receiving an increase.

In total, that is 196 players who have had their ratings adjusted in the opposite direction after just one week.  

That is 196 examples of the "kneejerk" ratings system.  When is EA going to realize that a larger sample size is required to produce more accuracy and consistency in Madden player ratings and attributes?  

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Thanks for following my blog, enjoy the games.