Madden ‘09 and Matt Jones
Life In The DPC is eagerly waiting for the release of Madden NFL ‘09 on August 12th, 2008. It’s sad but true that Madden NFL 2008 is still on heavy rotation at the palatial estate of your scribe considering that there are minimal changes from each annual edition. Like the main difference from the ‘07 edition to the ‘08 edition is the exclusion of Pacman Jones but in an act of hypocrisy Tank Johnson and Chris Henry were both included.
Maybe I was irked by the exclusion of Pacman Jones because he is a member of the DPC Madden All Stars (i.e. players that I always have on my Madden Franchise Teams). With Pacman booted out of the ‘08 version I had to go to my back up defensive back Antrel Rolle. (Keep in mind Rolle is on the DPC All Stars because he was involved in the greatest “tackle” I witnessed in person. The aforementioned tackle, and YouTube link, are not given justice by the Zapruder-esque video but I thought Larry Johnson had broken his neck during the play.)
The DPC Madden All Stars recently took a bad hit when their wide receiver Matt Jones got busted for alleged possession of a controlled substance after he may have been found cutting up cocaine with a credit card while sitting in a car in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Jones made the DPC All Stars for the same reason that the Jaguars made him a first round draft pick;a 4.40 40-yard dash to go along with his 6′6″ and 232 lbs. measurements.
With a little over a month to go before Madden ‘08 is released the DPC All Stars will likely include:
QB: JaMarcus Russel (The heir apparent to Jeff George)
HB: Reggie Bush, Michael Bennett
FB:LenDale White (I know he’s a halfback but I line him up as fullback because of his girth and speed)
WR: Matt Jones, Drew Carter, Mike Williams, Nate Burleson
TE: Greg Olson
DB: Pacman Jones, Antrel Rolle
Jeff George Quarterback Elite Training
Now aspiring quarterbacks have the opportunity to learn from DavidPatrickCastro.com’s favorite gun slinger Jeff George. On the Jeff George Foundation’s web site young single callers can schedule tutoring from the master.
Lessons can be scheduled by calling (317) 733-1723
Gone Bowling
In a strange twist of fate I will spend the New Year’s holiday at the Rose Bowl. I have no vested interest in either USC or Illinois but by default I’ll cheer on the Fighting Illini. This is based on two factors: Illinois is Jeff George’s alma mater and I was born in the Land of Lincoln. Of course I hate their mascot and generally find it offensive so forthwith there will be no reference to the team’s mascot or nickname. Viva la University of Illinois at Champaign!
What? You Couldn’t Find Jeff George? Volume 2
The San Francisco 49ers have signed the 2000 Heisman trophy winner Chris Weinke. The 35-year old quarterback last took a snap for the Carolina Panthers in 2006 when he started three games.
Once again this scribe must ask why wasn’t Jeff George called in to play for the moribund 49ers? Despite being 39, to Weinke’s 35, George is a better option at QB and the numbers don’t lie.
Jeff George:
Height: 6-4 Weight: 214 Age: 39
Born: 12/8/1967 Indianapolis , IN
College: Illinois
Experience: 14 Seasons
Comp: 2,298
Att: 3,967
Pct: 57.9
Yds: 27,602
TD: 154
Int: 113
Rate: 80.4
Chris Weinke:
San Francisco 49ers
Height: 6-4 Weight: 232 Age: 35
Born: 7/31/1972 St. Paul , MN
College: Florida State
Experience: 7th season
High School: Cretin-Derham Hall HS [St. Paul, MN]
Comp : 373
Att : 687
Pct : 54.3
Yds : 3,800
TD : 14
Int : 26
Rate: 61.4
What? You Couldn’t Find Jeff George?
Vinny Testaverde became the oldest starting quarterback, age 43, to win a game as he lead the Carolina Panthers over the Arizona Cardinals. The Cardinals were forced to use Tim Rattay after injuries to Matt Leinart and Kurt Warner. All praise to Testaverde aside, and he deserves it, but where is Jeff George?
At this point in the 2007, and this is no different than any other season, starting quarterbacks are dropping like flies or they are just incompetent. Am I being a bit off base when I say that George is better suited to lead the Chicago Bears than Rex Grossman, Brian Griese or Kyle Orton? Would you rather have Trent Dilfer at the helm of the 49ers? If Kerry Collins is getting a paycheck where is the love for the former number one pick out of Illinois?
More Jeff George
The Oakland Raiders cut my Madden PS2 hero Jeff George as the 2006 season begins next week. The move seemed completely logical from all perspectives. The Raiders have three quarterbacks on their rosters and by dumping George they can save $810,000 for the season.”As I said when we first brought Jeff in here,” Raiders Head Coach Art Shell said. ”It was a precaution.”
But there is hope for this Jeff George fan, I am one of two remaining in this world (http://espn.go.com/page2/s/whitlock/021031.html), the Raiders can sign George once the regular season begins and pay George a prorated amount of his salary. With questions surrounding the health of backup quarterback Andrew Walter this seems like a logical move for the Raider Nation. Aaron Brooks is a good but occasionally erratic qb. Walter is unproven and at this point injured. Tuiasosopo is the third option but has largely played mop up duty and is less of a passer than an aging George.
I believe I am grabbing at straws thinking that George has one more comeback available but in this world of complicated offensive theory George is the rare qb that can be plugged in and run an offense with some semblance of continuity if a a starter goes down. Ideally another squad will benefit from the Raiders mistake and snatch up George. This seems unlikely though since Al Davis is the only man suited to make sense of this situation.
Reunited
So I guess I am really no different than most general managers in the sport who view George as a cheap option to throw the ball deep. But unlike the NFL, Madden takes very little of George’s luggage as a supposed malcontent into consideration and his outbursts do not exist in the digital theatre. George, to me at least, was the symbol of hope and promise unfulfilled. Drafted first overall the pundits maintained that he would rewrite the records books straight out of the University of Illinois. This did not happen. He was taken by talent challenged Colts squad and he was just a piece of the overall puzzle as opposed to savior. I always viewed George as a cog in machination of offense. He would never be the leader but still a valuable asset.At this point I am the St. Jude for the Jeff George experience. I hold on to some deranged hope that he will resurrect a squad and lead them to an improbable Super Bowl victory. Stranger things have happened. Remember Trent Dilfer was a bust that became a champion later in his career. We, at DavidPatrickCastro.com/blog, hold on to hope for George and his ability to throw the deep ball. The vertical game has missed you sir and you are as timeless as the tides that wash into the Oakland bay.
“I’ve always been able to throw the ball, George said. “I’ve been blessed to throw the ball. And I think I’ll be able to do that till I’m 60.”
Thank you, Al Davis
Will I maintain these ideas next week when the new Madden hits the shelves. No doubt. I’ve been doing it for years and the players have changed names but there roles are the same. Jeff George was replaced by Byron Leftwich. Leftwich gave way to Hackney. Al Davis has maintined the same schemes and replaced the parts as time passed on. Kerry Collins, Aaron Brooks and Andrew Walter are no different than Lamonica. Moss is no different than Cliff Branch, Willie Gault and James Jett.
