When the Cardinals drafted Patrick Peterson with the fifth pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, I know I was excited. I honestly cannot recall more buzz around a draft pick than Peterson has had. I guess that happens when a team selects arguably the top talent in the entire draft. 

It makes me want to watch him play in the worst play. And the worst part is that because of the lockout, we may be delayed in seeing his impact. 

Now there is even more reason to be chomping at the bit. ESPN.com is reporting that Peterson is the highest rated rookie in Madden NFL 12. 

"Madden NFL 12" ratings guru Donny Moore has informed me that Arizona's electrifying corner will be the highest-rated rookie in the game with an 82 overall, including 97 speed, 96 agility, 93 acceleration, 93 jumping, 77 catching (highest for any rookie CB), and 91 return. In terms of his defensive skill set, Peterson clocks in with 89 man coverage, 82 zone coverage, and 90 press.

The "Madden" designers take their ratings very seriously, as do the gamers who play. However, the rating isn't everything. I recall playing Madden 2000 or 2003 and winning several Super Bowls with Ryan Leaf as the starting quarterback for the Cardinals. In either year, Leaf was known to have been a bust and I still managed to make him a star.

So the ratings aren't everything, but they certainly help a player be easier to play with. 

The question now is whether the game will be released first (set to hit the shelves in August) or if the lockout will be over. If it is the game that comes out first, then it will be the virtual Peterson that will see the field first and not the actual Peterson playing in the preseason. 

Note: When I ran across the ratings, I was hoping to find all the players' ratings. No such luck. But when they do come out, I'll be on top of that.