This week marked the 31st anniversary of the release of the first Madden video game for the Apple 2. The Madden franchise has transformed the sports video game industry as it has been the pioneer of revolutionary ideas leading to success for video games over all the major sports games across the globe. To celebrate this amazing franchise here are my 5 most dominate players in Madden’s history.
5. Chris Johnson
CJ2K earned his well-deserved nickname after the 2009 season as he ran for over 2,000 yards for the Tennessee Titans. So, EA rewarded him with 99 Speed and 99 Acceleration ratings, you could not catch this man. Running Johnson on the outside was unfair for the opposition. Johnson had other productive seasons with the Titans but none that matched the legend he created for himself in 2009.
4. LaDainian Tomlinson
LT in his prime was one of the best running backs to ever play. He still holds the record for the most rushing touchdowns in a season with 28 in 2006. In next year’s Madden, Madden 08, he was unstoppable. With a 96 Speed rating, 100 Elusive rating, 100 Juke rating, and a 97 Stiff Arm rating, you couldn’t tackle this man. He was a tough matchup for any defense as he was able to catch the ball out of the backfield as well.
3. Randy Moss
In 2004, Randy Moss caught 111 receptions for over 1,200 yards and 17 touchdowns in his last season as a Viking. The developers for Madden 06 made him a dominant force on the outside. With 99 Speed and a 99 Jumping rating, you could send this man on a Go route every play and score every time. He could run past any coverage you put against him with ease. Moss didn’t have his best year in 2005 with the Raiders and couldn’t live up to the hype in the silver and black as he only lasted 2 seasons in Oakland.
2. Jerry Rice
When Madden 98 released, Jerry Rice received the highest overall rating that a player will ever receive, 189. Yes, on Nintendo 64 Jerry Rice had a Madden rating of 189 and seemed to catch every ball that was thrown to him. It seemed almost broken, but it was comparable to what happened in real life as he unquestionably the greatest receiver to play the game.
1. Michael Vick
There is absolutely no debate who is the most dominant madden player ever. None. In 2002, Michael Vick had one of the most exciting breakout seasons in NFL history. Vick ran for almost 800 yards and 8 touchdowns while throwing 16 TD’s to add to that. He led Atlanta to a playoff birth and a win in the first round. With all this success, Vick was named the cover athlete for Madden 04. With superior arm strength and a 95 Speed rating, Vick was unstoppable. No defense could stop him. There has never been a player in Madden since, nor in the future as Madden developers have realized that he was a cheat code. However, Vick's injury in the 2003 where he broke his leg started the infamous Madden Cover Curse which people still believe to this day.