Dec 17

Last Friday Kobra released his latest Video Playbook guide called
the “From the Gun” Video Playbook. This guide is completely
devoted to plays and schemes from the Gun formations across all the
different playbooks in the game.

The initial release had over 50 plays (several hours of video), and
we promised that we would continue to add to this all the way
through March. Kobra has been busy over the weekend and has already
loaded up new content including:

Reading Coverages Before The Snap Part 1
Buccaneers Gun Doubles On Scheme
Gun Snugs Flip WR Corner
Gun Snugs Flip Spot
Gun Snugs Flip Run Plays
Gun Snugs Flip Horizontal Stretch
Gun Snugs Bench Swap
Gun Snugs Flip Formation Breakdown

He also will be adding passing concepts from the Eagles Gun Split
later today. When it is all said and done, this guide will be the
most comprehensive Shotgun play guide in the history of Madden :)

To find out how you can get your hands on the From the Gun Video
Playbook, go to http://www.maddenvideoplaybook.com/gun09.html

He has a great sample video there for you to check out that
features a nice Streak/Fade concept you can use just about anywhere.

Dec 4

The next Madden NFL 09 roster update will be available for download on Friday December 5, 2008. This week’s update is highlighted by a ratings decrease to many of the key Cleveland Browns players with the exception of DT Shaun Rogers who received another rating increase. Included below is the full list of all of the latest changes coming to Madden NFL 09 via the roster update.

Transactions

DE Ervin Baldwin - Signs with Bears

WR Brandon Rideau - Signs with Bears

G Evan Mathis - Signs with Bengals

DE Josh Mallard - Signs with Bengals

T Kirk Barton - Signs with Bengals

FB Andrew Pinnock - Signs with Broncos

S Josh Barrett - Signs with Broncos

QB Bruce Gradkowski - Signs with Browns

CB Michael Adams - Signs with Cardinals

P Dirk Johnson - Released by Cardinals

P Ben Graham - Signs with Cardinals

LB Curtis Gatewood - Signs with Chiefs

LB Carlos Polk - Added to Cowboys

G/C Al Johnson - Signs with Dolphins

G Milford Brown - Released by Jaguars

DT Jimmy Kennedy - Released by Jaguars

DE Jeremy Mincey - Added to Jaguars

CB Omare Lowe - Released by Jaguars

P Steve Weatherford - Signs with Jaguars

TE George Wrighster - Added to Jaguars

WR Keary Colbert - Signs with Lions

DT Alfred Malone - Signs with Packers

LB Vince Redd - Added to Free Agents

LB Rosevelt Colvin - Signs with Patriots

G Junius Coston - Released by Raiders

G Dylan Gandy - Signs with Raiders

FB Dan Kreider - Released by Rams

FB/TE Daniel Fells - Signs with Rams

C Cory Withrow - Signs with Rams

HB Shaun Alexander - Released by Redskins

DT Ryan Boschetti - Signs with Redskins

CB Leigh Torrence - Signs with Saints

DE Josh Savage - Signs with Saints

DT Scott Paxson - Signs with Steelers

CB Fernando Bryant - Signs with Steelers

P Mitch Berger - Signs with Steelers

P Paul Ernster - Released by Steelers

 

Ratings Up*

CB Corey Graham - Bears - 76 to 77 - Will step into the starting lineup with the season ending injury to Vasher.

HB Matt Forte - Bears - 84 to 85 - Is up there with Chris Johnson and Slaton as top rookie back.

CB Brandon McDonald - Browns - 78 to 80 - Took his one week benching in stride making some big plays in solid coverage vs. Reggie Wayne.

DT Shaun Rogers - Browns - 96 to 97 - Should line up next to Albert Haynesworth in the starting lineup for the AFC Pro Bowl. One move that worked for Cleveland acquiring Rogers for Leigh Bodden.

DE Kevin Carter - Bucs - 82 to 85 - The Bucs brought him back and he has rewarded them with very good play against the run and getting to the passer.

DE Jimmy Wilkerson - Bucs - 77 to 80 - Has been thriving and playing very well as a defensive sub for Tampa.

LB Derrick Brooks - Bucs - 93 to 94 - Whispers that he was fading were exaggerated, looks very good in pass coverage.

LT Donald Penn - Bucs - 84 to 88 - A dominant pass blocker at LT who should be considered for the Pro Bowl.

CB Ronde Barber - Bucs - 91 to 92 - Has been making plays in weeks past after looking washed up earlier in the season.

WR Antonio Bryant - Bucs - 81 to 86 - Looks very big and strong as the #1 in Tampa. Very fluid running his routes and looks good after the catch.

DE Dwight Freeney - Colts - 95 to 96 - Gave Joe Thomas a beating in last week’s game. His bull rush is as good as ever and put Thomas on his back.

DE Robert Mathis - Colts - 95 to 96 - Worked with Freeney to win won in Cleveland when the offense had nothing.

WR Davone Bess - Dolphins - 74 to 76 - Looks he will pick up the slack with the season ending injury to Greg Camarillo. He has some experience catching tons of passes from Colt Brennan at Hawaii.

DE Justin Tuck - Giants - 94 to 95 - Last year’s most underrated Madden player has played above expectations.

WR Domenik Hixon - Giants - 76 to 79 - Showed he is ready to take the next step by showing ability to separate from Carlos Rogers. Will be looked upon more with the loss of Burress.

CB Al Harris - Packers - 92 to 94 - With the uncertainty that has been looming with the Green Bay secondary, Al Harris has been superb since his return from injury.

CB Chris Gamble - Panthers - 90 to 92 - Just was rewarded with a contract extension for his solid play this season, never had been consistent before but is so this season.

S Charles Godfrey - Panthers - 77 to 79 - After playing CB in college has transitioned nicely to the FS position.

HB DeAngelo Williams - Panthers - 85 to 86 - Blew up for 4 TD’s and has played better since the emergence of Jonathan Stewart.

G Travelle Wharton - Panthers - 88 to 89 - Has been Carolina’s most consistent lineman.

DE Charles Johnson - Panthers - 77 to 78 - Was getting a monster push in last week’s game vs. Green Bay.

CB Randall Gay - Saints - 82 to 84 - Has been solid this season. The best player in the Saints secondary.

HB Pierre Thomas - Saints - 78 to 83 - Looks to have his role expanded even more with Deuce being suspended.

LB James Harrison - Steelers - 96 to 97 - Is defensive MVP through 13 weeks.

HB Steve Slaton - Texans - 83 to 84 - Looked very fast in his big day on Monday night. He looks great in the Texans zone blocking scheme.

G Mike Brisiel - Texans - 78 to 83 - Has done a nice job in his first full year as a starting lineman. 

C Chris Myers - Texans - 80 to 82 - Worked well with the right side to open up huge holes for Slaton to fly through. 

WR Andre Johnson - Texans - 96 to 97 - Has taken the next step as a dominate WR. Looks like a big created player out there.

DE Jared Allen - Vikings - 97 to 98 - One of the most disruptive forces in football. Bucs LT Penn held him in check, besides that he has been dominating opposing tackles.

*Many more ratings changes

 

Ratings Down *

WR Chad Johnson - Bengals - 97 to 96 - Has displayed unsteady hands and has not been on his game this season.

WR Donte Stallworth - Browns - 85 to 81 - Has underachieved on every team unless the QB is Tom Brady. A free agent bomb along with the acquisition of Corey Williams.

TE Kellen Winslow - Browns - 97 to 95 - Will never be 100% again. Is still a top TE but he won’t be able to be durable again.

S Clinton Hart - Chargers - 85 to 82 - Has been abused by TE’s all year in pass coverage.

TE Antonio Gates - Chargers - 97 to 96 - Is unable to move and separate anymore. Does not appear to be near 100%.

CB Patrick Surtain - Chiefs - 87 to 84 - The Chiefs have moved on and will officially do so after the season.

S Bob Sanders - Colts - 98 to 97 - Has been plagued by injuries again this season. Troy P and Ed Reed should be the top 2 safeties.

WR Marvin Harrison - Colts - 94 to 92 - His inability to separate now must be alarming to the Colts. 

LB Vernon Gholston - Jets - 79 to 74 - Had chances in last week’s game to make plays and didn’t. Is only rated a 74 based on pure potential at picking up OLB because now he looks slow.

*Many more ratings changes

 

Injuries

CB Nathan Vasher - Bears - IR

DT Dusty Dvoracek - Bears - IR

G Andrew Whitworth - Bengals - IR

S Marvin White - Bengals - IR

DE Robert Geathers - Bengals - IR

DT John McCargo - Bills - IR

QB Brady Quinn - Browns - IR

QB Derek Anderson - Browns - IR

G Ryan Lilja - Colts - IR

G Kyle Kosier - Cowboys - IR

WR Greg Camarillo - Dolphins - IR

G Justin Smiley - Dolphins - IR

S Sammy Knight - Giants - (Off depth chart)

WR Javon Walker - Raiders - IR

Contracts

DT Jonathan Babineaux - Falcons - 6 years total

WR Michael Jenkins - Falcons - 5 years total

CB Chris Gamble - Panthers - 7 years total

Dec 3

Transactions

CB Simeon Castille - Signs with Bengals

LB Marcus Buggs - Released to FA IR

TE Nate Jackson - Released to FA IR

S Josh Barrett - Added to FA

S Roderick Rogers - Signs with Broncos

TE Chad Mustard - Signs with Broncos

HB Noah Herron - Added to FA

LB Curtis Gatewood - Added to FA

LB Rob Ninkovich - Released by Dolphins

LB Erik Walden - Signs with Dolphins

WR Eric Weems - Added to FA

S Stuart Schweigert - Signs with Lions

TE Tyson DeVree - Added to FA

T Chad Slaughter - Added to FA

DE Brandon Miller - Signs with Seahawks

DE Jesse Nading - Signs with Texans

LB Kevis Coley - Signs with Texans

CB Eric King - Released to FA IR

CB Reynaldo Hill - Released to FA IR

CB Tyrone Poole - Signs with Titans

CB Tuff Harris - Signs with Titans

DE Earl Cochran - Released to FA IR

S C.C. Brown - Released to FA IR

 

Ratings Up

QB Tyler Thigpen - Chiefs - 75 to 78 - Has displayed good arm strength in the Kansas City spread offense.  The top fantasy QB over the last month heading into week 12.

HB Michael Turner - Falcons - 89 to 90 - Topped the 1,000 yard mark in a monster 4 TD game vs. the Panthers in a big division win.

CB Corey Webster - Giants - 87 to 88 - While Ross was committing penalties and struggling Webster was playing solid man coverage. Webster is playing at a very high level this season.

DT Kris Jenkins - Jets - 94 to 95 - Has made the biggest difference of any free agent acquisition on the defensive end. The Jets rank #3 against the run and Jenkins has thrived as the nose in the Jets 3-4.

CB Chris Johnson - Raiders - 70 to 74 - Was picked on starting opposite Asomugha and played well vs. Denver. The Raiders pass defense is shaping into the strength of the team.

LB James Farrior - Steelers - 92 to 94 - Has not slipped a bit in his 12th season. The Steeler D is as good as ever and Farrior is having one of his best seasons.

 

Ratings Down

DE Elvis Dumervil - Broncos - 89 to 87 - Has 3 sacks this season when Denver needs a pass rush. No sacks in the last 4 games.

QB Donovan McNabb - Eagles - 93 to 91 - The uncertainty at the WR position sure hasn’t helped but his completion percentage is under 60% and he has been tailing off in prior weeks. Is still by far the best option they have and is still a top QB.

HB Fred Taylor - Jaguars - 94 to 93 - Disappointing season but the skills are still there. Big losses on the offensive line have hurt Taylor’s ability to run. His 3.6 YPC and no rushing TD’s are way down this year.

QB David Garrard - Jaguars - 92 to 91 - The Jags didn’t have 9 TD’s/8 INT’s and a 4-7 record when they signed Garrard to an extension. To his defense the Jags have underperformed at about every position. 

 

Injuries

CB Johnathan Joseph - Bengals - IR

WR Buster Davis - Chargers - IR

HB Felix Jones - Cowboys - IR

 
Contracts

WR Greg Camarillo - Dolphins - 4 years total