Buccaneers: Madden NFL 18 ranks O.J. Howard second best rookie
The Buccaneers have the second best rookie in the newest version of the Madden video game.
OK Buccaneers fans, where are my gamers? Come on, I know you are out there. It is impossible to get a room full of football fans together without someone being a Madden player. Even I used to play the game back in the days of the Super Nintendo. Through the years the game has evolved into quite the industry. There are tournaments all over the country, and even TV shows where the best players battle it out for all kinds of championships. Let’s face it, it’s as close as some of us get to being on the field.
In the weeks before the game is released, EA Sports trickles out the release of the player ratings. It generates excitement for the game, and gives players an idea how they might be able to use certain players. The ratings break down into the player’s skill sets, from acceleration to strength and everything in between. The process generates a great deal of buzz around the game release.
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Madden NFL 18 is scheduled for release on August 25. So the process of trickling out the rating has begun. So far, the top five rookies and the top five quarterbacks have been released for fan review.
On the rookie list, Myles Garrett led the way, to the surprise of nobody. Coming in at number two, however, is someone not everybody expected. Right behind Garrett is the tight end recently drafted by our Bucs, none other than O.J. Howard:
"Garrett wasn’t the only freak athlete of the NFL 2017 draft. Howard is the prototypical tight end with size, speed, catching ability, and blocking prowess. He comes into Madden with an 82 OVR. In terms of ratings, Howard is solid down the board, with decent blocking numbers for a rookie TE. Howard has the potential to see his ratings climb during the season as he was an excellent blocker in college, which should keep him on the field to be used in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ offense. In Madden, think of him as a faster, more elusive Martellus Bennett."
That is high praise for the young Buc, is it not? He will be quite the asset in the game. Howard is a guy that will be fun to use in Madden. Pair him up with Cameron Brate and for those of you that spend the time playing the game, you will have a lot of success with these guys.
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Of course, we will all be happier if it translates to real life, but the video game will be a fun place to start.