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Madden surprisingly whiffs on Derwin James tackle rating

By Tyler Schoon

ORCHARD PARK, NY - SEPTEMBER 16: Derwin James #33 of the Los Angeles Chargers sacks Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills during the first quarter at New Era Field on September 16, 2018 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NY - SEPTEMBER 16: Derwin James #33 of the Los Angeles Chargers sacks Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills during the first quarter at New Era Field on September 16, 2018 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /
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Madden released their ratings for NFL players, and Derwin James wasn’t too happy about it. Rightfully so, with one area in particular surprisingly low.

Fans and players around the NFL are with Derwin James on this one; after all, how could a player named to the First-Team Pro-Bowl roster and selected as a First-Team All-Pro and Second-Team All-Pro for two different positions be given a tackling rating of 77?

105 combined tackles isn’t good enough for Madden, apparently. Is it because these tackles were made after a ball carrier had gained five yards already? No chance:

Derwin out here using the hit stick@DerwinJames | #ProBowlVote pic.twitter.com/zLWqQxPff7

— Los Angeles Chargers (@Chargers) December 3, 2018

The 86 overall rating isn’t too much of a shock, as although the number itself does not represent how elite of a player James became in just one season, Madden tends to not give players a massive jump in rating after just one rookie year. The rating is flexible, and No. 33 will no doubt cross the 90 mark some time this season. However, a 77 for tackling given to one of the surest tacklers the Chargers have seen in years is inexcusable. James (as well as Keenan Allen) voiced his displeasure on social media:

hey, @EAMaddenNFL …@DerwinJames would like a word. pic.twitter.com/4myyvbSS2P

— Los Angeles Chargers (@Chargers) July 15, 2019

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Is there some sort of secret formula for calculating the values given to certain player characteristics? Is there a brain trust of human computers gathered around determining the speed, strength, or coverage grade for each NFL player? If so, fire them all, and find any NFL fan with half a brain and two eyes who watched a game last season. James, if for nothing else, is known for his tackling accuracy and efficiency. Figure it out Madden.

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