Eagles/Cowboys comparison Madden '06

[LPW]

All of the experts (mediots) keep telling us that there is a huge talent gap between the Eagles and the Cowboys (read the Barry Wilner article in another thread today). Maybe I am too much of a Cowboys homer, but I just don’t see the gap as being that big. I’ll be the first to admit that the Eagles are and should be the NFC East division favorites, but I think we are right on their heels (and closing fast). Anyway, to counter my lack of objectivity, I thought that it would be fun to compare the Eagles roster versus our roster using something neutral, such as Madden ’06 ratings.

Here is the position by position comparison based on the Madden ’06 Overall player ratings. It appears that Madden’s ratings are based heavily on the 2004 performances, which was a “career” year for the Eagles franchise while being a down year for the ‘Boys. It also seems that rookies are rated pretty low (I guess they need to prove themselves first, rightfully so). Please forgive me for any mistakes on the Eagles roster as I do not keep up that much with what is going on in their training camp.


Offense
QB: McNabb(97),McMahon(80),Detmer(73) > Bledsoe(84),Romo(70), Henson(74),
RB: Westbrook(89),Moats(74) = Julius(86),Barber(73),Thomas(80),Thompson(NR)
FB/H-B: Ritchie(86) = Polite(NR),Witten(92)/Campbell(82) playing as H-back
LT: Thomas(95),Herrimans(71) > Adams(89),Vollers(72)
LG: Andrews(82),Darilek(71) < Allen(94),Peterman(68)
C: Fraley(87),Jackson(67) >Johnson(75),Gurode(80)
RG: Hicks(80),Scullio(81) < Rivera(95),Noll(NR)
RT: Runyan(88),Armstrong(67) > Pettiti(NR),Tucker(74)
TE: LJ Smith(86),Bartrum(68) < Witten(92),Campbell(82),Ryan(NR),Pierce(NR)
WR1: Owens(98) > Johnson(87),Copper(66)
WR2: Lewis(76),McMullen(65) < Glenn(83)
WR3: Brown(77) = Crayton(68),Morgan(79)

Defense
DE: Kearse(94),Douglas(83),Kalu(80),McDougle(77) = Ellis(91),Spears(81),Coleman(73).Canty(NR),Ratliff(NR)
DT/NG: Walker(88),Thomas(79),Patterson(79),Rayburn(77) = Glover(96),Ferguson(86),Carson(76)
MLB/ILB: Trotter(89),Labinjo(62) = Nguyen(91),James(79),Shanle(53),Fowler(62)
OLB: Simoneau(80),Jones(86),Adams(81) = Ware(81),Singleton(84),Burnett(76),Thornton(NR),Ogbogu(71)
CB: Brown(88),Sheppard(91),Hood(76),Wynn(72),Ware(73) = Newman(85),Henry(86),Glenn(90),Jones(65)
SS: Lewis(92),Mikell(70) < Williams(96),Beriault(65)
FS: Dawkins(98),Reed(73),Considine(73) > Davis(74),Scott(70),Coady(NR),

Special teams
P: Dirk(79) = McBriar(73)
K: Akers(99) > Cortez(NR) or Novak(NR)

Results:
Clear advantage Eagles - QB, RT, WR1, LDE, FS, K
Clear advantage Cowboys - LG, RG, TE, WR2, RDE
Slight advantage Eagles – C, LT
Slight advantage Cowboys – DT, SS
Basically even - RB, FB/H-B, WR3, DT/NG, MLB/ILB, OLB, OLB, CB, CB, P

Total Points - Starting 11:
Offense Eagles – 964, Cowboys – 946
Defense Eagles – 968, Cowboys - 931

I know that there are many factors that a comparison like this doesn’t consider (Coaching, team chemistry and continuity, full special teams, Madden rating system flaws, etc.), but it does show that we match up very well against the Eagles. The Eagles had better win it all this year; because the talent gap is closing and our rookies are going to get better.


http://sports.ign.com/madden06/Cowboys.html

http://sports.ign.com/madden06/Eagles.html

 

[Future]

thats amazing analysis of a video game. Nice Read. Don't like that McBriar is only a 73 though, hes gonna be great.

 

[Yeagermeister]

thats amazing analysis of a video game. Nice Read. Don't like that McBriar is only a 73 though, hes gonna be great.

Playing in rookie mode I never have to use McBriar :laugh2:

 

[TobiasEagle77]

I like to use Seneca Wallace as a third down specialist for my Bears franchise.

 

[devman90]

I got Philip Rivers as my back up QB

 

[TobiasEagle77]

I got Philip Rivers as my back up QB

Jonathon Vilma can be acquired on the cheap and makes a very good coverage linebacker.

 

[Eddie]

You actually paid $50 for Madden 06? It's the same game as every other year. $50 for a roster update and QB flashlight? Unreal.

 

[silver]

yesterday was the first time i played madden 06. beat the colts as time expired. cundiff hit the winning field goal. bledsoe was't that hot. julius had like 190+ yards and 3 tds. mvp. our defense is great especially our secondary. henry had two ints and returned one for a td. all in all i think it's well worth the 50 bucks for the roster update. i didn't care too much for the qb light.

 

[Eddie]

QB flashlight is a joke. Blitz the QB and there's not enough time to readjust the flashlight. Not realistic at all.

Turn off Flashlight ... well, that's nothing more than Madden 05.

 

[silver]

it actually makes it harder which is why is more realistic imo. in madden 05 i can complete like 85% of my passes with dumps and stuff. but who wants incomplete passes. that's why i rellied on julius since my qb skills are not up to par yet. i played my kid who is pretty good. he must be waiting for me to get home to get revenge

 

[ghst187]

westbrook is rated higher than Julius....that's pretty hokey
mcbriar is one of the best punters in the game and I think he punted pretty darn well last season too...bogus rating
I know they made the game before our rookies played any preseason but Ware is grossly underrated. I think he should already be in the high 80's at least.
and I'm not seeing Newman as a paltry 85, maybe he was last year but I think he'll be well over a 90 this year.

 

[Dawgs0916]

The stupidist thing I found was Ware's speed which is 84, compared to Merriman's 85!!

 

[Nightshade]

QB flashlight is a joke. Blitz the QB and there's not enough time to readjust the flashlight. Not realistic at all.

Turn off Flashlight ... well, that's nothing more than Madden 05.

 

[smashmouth]

They defenitely got Ware's speed wrong. I woulda put Ware at 88 on the speed chart.

JJ is a stud, but I think he's faster than what they have him at, I think it's a 91.

I hated the flashlight, it's useless.

I'll tell you more, I just bought the PC version and playing for the first time tonight.

 

[Kilyin]

06 is actually quite a bit different than 05 and other previous Maddens. You obviously have never played the game.

 

[BlueStar22]

They defenitely got Ware's speed wrong. I woulda put Ware at 88 on the speed chart.

JJ is a stud, but I think he's faster than what they have him at, I think it's a 91.

I hated the flashlight, it's useless.

I'll tell you more, I just bought the PC version and playing for the first time tonight.

let's not be homers now, but putting Ware at an 88 speed would have him comparable to most of the receivers in the game. I think his 84 speed is about right.