The Curious Case of Tony Gonzalez

Today we saw the latest Madden roster update and couldn't help but laugh. We've gone on record several times explaining how the current system is one that relies on one good play/poor play madness and highlights without any real substance whatsoever, but we noticed Tony Gonzalez's drop this week and we chose to further expose the farce that is Donny Moore's rating system. We've always thought a rating system that rates players after every four weeks (but updates transactions and/or equipment weekly) and follows trends more closely would be much more accurate. Case in point:



Tony Gonzalex. HOF Tight End and probably the best ever at his position, but that shouldn't sway a ratings person, right? NOPE. Numbers should always tell the tale. Gonzalez went from a 93 to a 92 this week. Given the current system's one-bad-play-lowers-your-rating propensity, we're figuring he probably ran the wrong route or had a bad highlight on SportsCenter or something. Let's look at #88's last four games shall we?

Last 4 Games

YIKES. A quick look shows us numbers for the year (rec, yds, touchdowns) that are all at elite level for a TE. This isn't even hard, people. The decision to lower his rating is so shockingly bad that...you know what? nevermind. Look at it for yourself. Here's his latest 4-game stretch.

MIN - 9 rec, 69 yds (for those unaware, those are great numbers for a TE)
HOU - 7 rec, 100 yards (sigh..even better. Any WR in the league would be proud of those numbers)
CAR - 7 rec, 82 yards (again, great numbers. You'd easily mistake him for a #1 WR)
JAC - 1 rec, 14 yds (was basically a non-factor, a down week)

If you have eyes (and we're assuming you do since you're reading this) you'd see a 4 week trend where Tony G. was simply outstanding. The only thing he didn't do was catch TDs but again, anyone familiar with numbers would assume he was a #1 WR based on production. He had 1 subpar week in four outings and his production in the other three was so high that the one bad week is easily cancelled out. Except in the "ratings czar's" eyes (a puppy dies every time someone says that) he saw one bad week and in his patented knee-jerk, Dicky V, one bad/good play can lower/raise your rating brilliance, he took an overall point like only he could do.

BRILLIANT.

This weekly ratings madness must end, people (Adding a competent ratings person wouldn't hurt either) As always, leave your thoughts in the comments. Recently we've started a new Twitter hash-tag #trendsnotgames to counteract the foolishness that is the Madden Ratings. Be sure to use it to point out other player trends worth talking about.