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It is just a video game. That is all it is, but it is a yearly cultural phenomenon and the Madden franchise is the only NFL game on the market and it brings out the debates.
Fans and players alike are reacting to the Madden 21 player grades, the initial list of grades drew the ire of many.
Why?
Well when you look at the grades they are relatively low compared to others and players like Josh Jones had thoughts.
Kyler 77
— #JUICED (@JoshJones_23) July 18, 2020
Kirk 78
Chase 76
Hump 73
Smh I argued the guy from madden about QB1 for a good 30 mins smh.
Don’t worry @EAMaddenNFL @AZCardinals
Budda Baker was one of the players many had issues with and Budda took his in stride.
I go onto twitter and bam . A brotha didn’t get the memo. ya wouldn’t want my take anyway
— Budda Baker (@buddabaker32) July 19, 2020
Fans of the Cardinals had thoughts as well.
Cardinals worst ratings snubs #Madden21
— Kyle (@marblekyle) July 18, 2020
77 Kyler Murray
75 Maxx Williams
73 DJ Humphries
73 Jordan Phillips
66 Dan Arnold
66 Josh Jones
65 Eno Benjamin
63 Mason Cole
61 Evan Weaver
There seems to be disconnect between fans and whatever you would call the EA Sports crew that comes up with ratings.
Not shocking, but the reality is that as much as fans and the players think highly of the Arizona Cardinals, they are a team that has won eight games over the last two seasons.
They have extremely highly ranked players in Chandler Jones, DeAndre Hopkins and Patrick Peterson, all ranked in the top ten of their respective positions.
Was Kyler Murray slighted? Absolutely, he is better than Baker Mayfield, Derek Carr and Ryan Tannehill. He has a higher upside than Kirk Cousins and Jimmy Garappolo. Yet, he’s going into year two and he is rated higher than any year two or younger QB in the NFL.
The Cardinals as a whole may have talent, but if they want respect they better start winning football games, then recognition as a whole will begin to take shape.