Free Agency Affects On Madden 11

Free Agency Affects On Madden 11

Free agency can have big impacts on Madden. A mid-tier “Madden” team can go from average to the elite ranks in a hurry. Today we look at several examples of how this year’s free agency can have big impacts on teams that aren’t that popular in the Madden community.

Cromartie to Jets

Having a standout secondary in Darrel Revis, the Jets add to that secondary by picking up Antonio Cromartie. With players having the ability to cover all areas of the field, the Jets now open up the flood gates to send heavy blitzes.

Already blitz happy with their new defensive gameplan, the Jets should be able to turn the heat up on every down and force turnovers. They go from a pretty good defense to a great defense by adding the right player.

Cromartie, who rose to elite status in Madden ‘08 defines what every Madden gamer seeks at skill positions. A blend of speed and size, Cromartie can run with anyone and outjump the tallest of receivers.

Oh, and those Jet linebackers aren’t too shabby. Be sure to send the house.

Boldin to Ravens

The Ravens are similar to that of the Jets we just mentioned. The already have the defense that the Jets just built. The problem with such teams is that while being deep stacked on defense, there’s little room to work with on offense.

Enter Anquan Boldin. With a power running game, a trusty tight end, serviceable WRs, the Ravens are one speedy back from becoming the most balanced team in the game.

Boldin has the best catch in traffic in the game. In the ranks of Tony Gonzales, and Marques Colston, Boldin has the size and jumping ability to snatch the ball out of the air in traffic — and hang onto it. With a big arm in Joe Flacco Boldin should excel in Madden 11, becoming a reliable target to move the chains.

Peppers to Bears

Julius Peppers is a defensive end on a new team and over 30 years old. In the NFL that could spell doom, as history has shown. In Madden, however, Peppers should propel the Bears defense back into the top 5.

If you’re a heavy pass rusher, you now enjoy sending Harris, Peppers, Urlacher, and Briggs at the quarterback. Any one of those 4 should take a double team to control meaning you can send 4 or 5 at the QB and get pressure.

On the offensive side of the ball, the Bears have a serviceable RB, great TE’s, fast receivers and Jay Cutler. While offense is always easy to move the ball in recent Madden games, this offense should get you enough points to win as the defense is certainly going to make it more than difficult for your opponents offense to drive the field.

Vick Starting

The Eagles have one of the fastest offenses in the game. While the defense lacks, the offense could be the new Superbowl Rams as they could score enough points to make the other team struggle to keep pace.

Michael Vick has been discussed many times over, but the reality is that Vick is one of the best QBs in the game while never starting a game.

If the rumors about McNabb’s departure become true, Vick’s ratings are going to go even higher. The speed, throw power, and all important throw on the run (see the Bears and Jets review), are going to blow the roof off of the QB position.

Fear will strike your opponents if they send the house, and Vick takes off on a broken play. Rolling out and hitting the deep post to Desean Jackson could be a popular site in Madden 11.

Kampman to Jags

The Jags already have a top 10 defense in Madden 10. Adding Aaron Kampmann isn’t going to do much in the way to improve that. The contrary, however, is how it hurts the Packers.

The Packers have one of the best defenses in the game. You can leave Woodson and Harris alone on the outside, and Bigby will take the head off of WR’s coming over the middle of the field. Rushing Kampmann forced the offense to choose one of those 3 in a hurry. Taking that away and filling it with a rookie in the draft will make the Packer’s defense that much softer. With enough time to have routes develop, gamers may start to pick apart the Packers methodically.

The Jaguars can now send nasty heat on defense with Kampmann rushing behind Henderson. If you do manage to get the ball out in time, stay away from Mathis.

Sproles/LT On Free Agency

The Chargers rushing offense seems depleted. From elite ranks in ‘08 and ‘09, the Chargers are still a top 5 team in Madden ‘10 because of their big targets downfield and speedy 2 back system.

With LT and Sproles now on the market, the Chargers may know something we don’t. In recent years they’ve let go of 3 of the best RB’s in the league. Sproles, LT, and Turner have all been let go from San Diego. Perhaps the solution to the problem is the very fast Michael Bennett. I can only assume that he’s the feature back out there now, as they really don’t have anyone else to run the rock.

With that said, we can only speculate where these two RB’s are going to land. My best guesses:

LT:
Falcons – Irony in being his former backup’s new backup.
Eagles – LT plus Vick? Yikes. Plus Westbrook is leaving.
Pats – The Pats love seasoned Vets, and Fred Taylor didn’t exactly work out.

Sproles:
Colts – Addai is slowing and may not be able to hang onto the starer role. I’d cut Addai for Sproles.
Redskins – Portis isn’t getting any younger, and that offense is on the cusp of being explosive.
Eagles – The same as above for LT. The Eagles do already have a returner in Jackson, however.