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It’s going to be a rankings edition of notes today, folks.
The Internet — at least Twitter, where I live — is all in a flurry over Madden 21 ratings. Matthew Stafford was rated No. 3 in throwing power, behind Buffalo Bills’ Josh Allen and Kansas City Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes. (It’s worth noting power does not equal accuracy.)
You read that right, Patrick Mahomes isn't No. 1 in throwing power @EAMaddenNFL #Madden21 pic.twitter.com/iZQhT7io4C
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) July 13, 2020
Stafford largely returned to his inner gunslinger ways this past season under offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell — much to many fans’ delight — and was on pace for a 5,000-yard season before his injury.
Matthew Stafford is slingin' it right now! @bigplayhall_A2N #DETvsGB | #OnePride pic.twitter.com/s87qNeb72n
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) October 15, 2019
Despite his high throw power rating, the Motor City quarterback did not make the top quarterbacks of Madden 2021—presumably falling below an 84.
Just two QBs over a 95. Rodgers outside the 90s club.
— ESPN (@espn) July 13, 2020
Here are the top 10 Madden QB ratings. Thoughts? pic.twitter.com/EkAeCYawiz
Looking forward to your comments.
And onto the rest of your notes, which are more rankings:
- NFL.com analyst Maurice Jones-Drew ranked Kerryon Johnson 28th among all 32 RB1s heading into this season. Meh. But he does elaborate on how it was a tough choice between Johnson and D’Andre Swift, and how it’ll be an uphill battle for Johnson.
- Lions with the third-most cap space, pre-Jeff Okudah signing:
With a host of notable free agents available to sign, a look at five teams with the most current cap space:
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) July 13, 2020
1. Browns: $38,705,703
2. Washington: $36,539,030
3. Lions (pre-Okudah): $29,188,916
4. Eagles: $24,577,909
5. Bengals: $24,236,690
- Bleacher Report’s Brad Gagnon says the Lions’ biggest sleeper heading into training camp is wide receiver Marvin Hall, arguing Hall was getting hot last year right as Stafford suffered his season-ending injury. See above clip.
- LionsWire’s Jeff Risdon reports two former Lions are suing the NFL and the NFLPA over the new collective bargaining agreement, arguing that it slashes disability benefits for retired veterans.
- John Maakaron of Sports Illustrated’s AllLions argues these three Lions are overpaid.
- Detroitlions.com columnist Mike O’Hara offers a where-are-they-now on running back Dexter Bussey.