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EA Sports’ Madden 2010 hit the shelves of stores across the nation Thursday and several Chargers players were anxious to get their hands on the latest edition of the popular video game.

“We tried to make one of the rookies break curfew to go stand in line last night and buy it at midnight,” cornerback Cletis Gordon joked.  “We waited until our break this afternoon instead.”

Whether it was playing on a Sega Genesis years ago or playing online against someone halfway around the world today, Madden Football has always given the chance for anyone and everyone to become a digital NFL superstar. This is the time of the year when the smack talking between friends over a friendly game of Madden heats up.
 
This also holds true in the Chargers’ locker room where several players were anxious to get their hands on the most popular sports game in video game history. Every year the anticipation is just as strong for the players as wanting the upcoming season to begin.

Players love the fact that “Madden” is annually released during training camp because it helps break up the monotony of two-a-days.  During afternoon breaks and right before bed, many competitive rounds of Madden can be found at the Chargers’ team hotel.  For players around the NFL, beating a teammate earns bragging rights in the locker room.

“I would say Paul Oliver and Cletis are the best in our locker room,” linebacker Jyles Tucker said. “We’ve got it hooked up there at the hotel so we play every night.  The games get crazy with guys talking trash.  We have a lot of fun with it.”

Gordon gladly accepts Tucker’s compliment, but others disagree.  As Gordon jokingly bragged about his prowess on the controller, he heard some objection.

“I’ve blasted all the guys here in the locker room so there really is no competition anymore for me here,” claims Gordon.

Antoine Cason, his neighboring teammate in the locker room fired back, “Well that’s because you haven’t played me yet!”

With the advancement of technology, playing Madden football has never felt more real. This holds true when looking at player ratings. Sort of. 

Players are quick to check the game to see if they feel like they’ve been fairly rated by the EA staff.  

“They have me get tackled too easily in the game,” said running back Darren Sproles, who has a 94 speed rating out of a possible 100 on the game. “I’m not that easy to take down in real life.”

Among Chargers, Sproles has the second highest rating in speed only behind Antonio Cromartie, who is rated at 95. Sproles believes his speed on the game was accurate. Like many NFL players, Gordon, however, thinks he’s been shortchanged on the game.

“They’ve got me at an 89 in speed but they need to have me at least at a 96,” Gordon said. “Come on Madden!”

It comes with no surprise that the player on the Chargers on Madden ’10 with the best overall rating this year is LaDainian Tomlinson at a 94.

For the young rookies coming into the NFL, Madden ’10 will be the first time they will be able to play as themselves on a video game. Where some of the veterans may jokingly complain that the game isn’t realistic enough because they are not fast enough or strong enough on the games, the rookies are just excited to see their name on the television screen.

“I think it’s going to be really cool,” said rookie defensive end Vaughn Martin. “These other guys have been on college football games before. I played college ball in Canada and there’s wasn’t a Canadian College Football video game.  It’s going to be really special to be on Madden.  I just hope they get my rugged good looks on the game.”

The college games only use players' numbers and likenesses, not his name. Rookie Louis Vasquez is looking forward to actually seeing his name on the screen.

“It’s going to be really cool,” Vasquez said.  “You grow up playing Madden.  Then when you’re actually on the game, it’s another moment where it hits you that you’ve made it to the NFL and accomplished your dream.”