The ratings reflect what most pundits think of the Browns as the 2010 season approaches: that they are a mediocre team at best, with too many weak links included in almost every position group.
Browns offensive tackle Joe Thomas (73) gets respect from not only his peers, but from "Madden 11," too. Cleveland, Ohio -- The Cleveland Browns' "player ratings" for the Madden 11 video game have been released, and they are in line, unfortunately, with what most pundits think of the Browns:
Mediocre, at best.
Click here for the Browns' player ratings. "Madden 11" will be in stores on Aug. 10.
"Madden," of course, refers to John Madden, the Hall of Fame coach for the Oakland Raiders from 1969-78. Madden, who enjoyed an accomplished career as a television analyst for NFL games, helped develop the original "John Madden Football" video game in the late 1980's.
Players are rated in several categories, figuring into an overall rating. The categories are specific to position, kickers and punters having just 11 categories, and several positions graded in 17 or 18 areas.
Position-specific categories include skills such as "juke move" and "block shedding." Every player, regardless of position, is rated in categories such as "swagger" and "toughness."
For the Browns, the top-rated player is left tackle Joe Thomas, whose overall rating is 95 out of a maximum 100. Thomas's top grades are 98 in the "injury" factor, 96 in "pass blocking" and "toughness" and 95 in "stamina." Thomas has been selected to the Pro Bowl in all three of his seasons in the NFL.
The Browns' top-rated defensive player is tackle Shaun Rogers, who gets a 93 overall.
Madden 11 shares concern about the Browns' receiving unit, with tight end Ben Watson and wideout Josh Cribbs each getting an overall 78 as receivers.
The Browns' quarterback rankings are no better than mediocre.
Cornerback and first-round draft pick Joe Haden is given a 79, but with the distinct possibility of moving up with experience. His weaknesses are in areas such as "player recognition" (49) and "awareness" (48), areas in which he should improve with playing time.