Madden 09 Roster Update #8 Details

The eighth roster update for Madden 09 is slated to release tomorrow. For those wondering whether the Cowboys would be seeing the drastic changes in this update the answer is only partially. The Roy Williams trade made it in and Mat McBriar went to IR. But no changes were made for Tony Romo or Pacman Jones. Another big name signing from this week that is included in the update is Shaun Alexander joining the Redskins.

Continue on to view the details of all the transactions, ratings changes, injuries, and contract extensions.

Transactions
FB Byron Storer – Released to Free Agents (IR)
FB Reagan Mauia – Released by Bengals
FB Jameel Cook – Signs with Bucs
TE Darnell Dinkins – Added to Browns
LB Napoleon Harris – Released by Chiefs
LB Rocky Boiman – Signs with Chiefs
CB Nick Graham – Signs with Colts/Released by Colts
DT LaJuan Ramsey – Released by Colts
HB Mike Hart – Released to Free Agents (IR)
HB Clifton Dawson – Signs with Colts
CB Keiwan Ratliff – Signs with Colts
HB Justin Forsett – Released by Colts
S Jamie Silva – Added to Colts
DT John McCargo – Trade to Colts (Voided – Failed Physical)
P Sam Paulescu – Signs with Cowboys
WR Roy Williams – Traded to Cowboys
S Tyrone Culver – Released by Dolphins
S Brannon Condren – Signs with Dolphins
HB Tony Hunt – Released by Eagles
LB Tracy White – Signs with Eagles
FB Zak Keasey – Released to Free Agents (IR)
FB David Kirtman – Signs with 49ers
T Todd Wade – Released to Free Agents
T Andrew Carnahan – Added to Jaguars (Practice Squad)
G Ben Claxton – Added to Lions (Practice Squad)
G Jon Dunn – Removed
LB Tracy White – Released by Packers
HB Kregg Lumpkin – Released to Free Agents (IR)
HB DeShawn Wynn – Added to Packers
LB Danny Lansanah – Signs with Packers
WR Ryne Robinson – Released to Free Agents (IR)
WR Kenneth Moore – Signs with Panthers
CB Ricky Manning – Released to Free Agents (IR)
CB Fakhir Brown – Signs with Rams
S Brannon Condren – Released by Rams
S Eric Bassey – Added to Rams (Practice Squad)
WR Derek Stanley – Added to Rams
S Justin Hamilton – Released Redskins
P Durant Brooks – Released by Redskins
P Ryan Plackemeier – Signs with Redskins
S Mike Green – Signs with Redskins
HB Shaun Alexander – Signs with Redskins
S Reed Doughty -– Released to Free Agents (IR
K Martin Gramatica – Released to Free Agents (IR)
K Taylor Mehlhaff – Signs with Saints
DE Josh Savage – Released by Saints
DE Jeff Charleston – Signs with Saints
WR Terrance Copper – Released by Saints
TE Sean Ryan – Added to Saints
WR Courtney Taylor – Released by Seahawks
WR Jordan Kent – Signs with Seahawks
WR Michael Bumpus – Released by Seahawks
HB Justin Forsett – Signs with Seahawks
T Kyle Williams – Added to Seahawks (Practice Squad)
FB Jeff Dugan – Released to Free Agents
LB Dontarrious Thomas – Signs with Vikings

Ratings Up
HB Matt Forte – Bears – 82 to 84 – In the top 2 for most impressive rookie running back.
QB Kyle Orton – Bears – 79 to 80 – I’m sure the Bears couldn’t even have even expected Orton to be as poised as he has been at QB.
LB Dhani Jones – Bengals – 81 to 82 – Your NFL leader in tackles after 6 weeks.
CB Leodis McKelvin – Bills – 79 to 80 – 1st corner selected in the draft also stars on special teams in the kick return game.
HB Michael Pittman – Broncos – 81 to 82 – Might not be another back that runs with as much urgency. Was impressive in a start last week vs. the Jags.
K Matt Prater – Broncos – 78 to 82 – This year has drilled 13-14 field goals. Before that he was 1-4 in his career.
LT Ryan Clady – Broncos – 81 to 82 – Committed his first holding penalty vs. Jacksonville, might be the most athletic offensive lineman in the league.
LB Nate Webster – Broncos – 79 to 80 – Was thumping Jags players last week. Starting MLB for the Broncos.
RT Ryan Harris – Broncos – 79 to 81 – Solid pass blocking RT for the Broncos.
HB Earnest Graham – Bucs – 84 to 85 – Averaging 5.6 YPC and lined up at fullback last week due to injuries.
LT Donald Penn – Bucs – 80 to 82 – Has excelled in taking over for Luke Petitgout in Tampa.
DT Gabe Watson – Cardinals – 80 to 82 – Run stuffing DT for the Cardinals.
LT Mike Gandy – Cardinals – 89 to 92 – Underrated left tackle who played a great game vs. DeMarcus Ware. Surrendered 1.5 sacks last season.
DE Bryan Robinson – Cardinals – 74 to 77 – In the rotation at DT and DE in the Cardinals hybrid 3-4 defense.
WR Steve Breaston – Cardinals – 78 to 82 – Showed he has the complete game at WR in the last few weeks picking up the slack for Boldin. Caught the ball better than expected in a crowd.
DE Antonio Smith – Cardinals – 83 to 84 – Not producing the gaudy numbers, but he is a handful at end.
LB Derrick Johnson – Chiefs – 93 to 94 – Starting to come into his own as a future elite NFL linebacker. Playing in KC won’t help, but he is all over the field.
DT Jay Ratliff – Cowboys – 85 to 87 – Trouble maker for offenses in the middle of the Dallas defense. Can line up all over the defensive line and create problems with pressure.
S Courtney Brown – Cowboys – 67 to 69 – Saw time on passing downs the past couple weeks due to injury.
DT Jason Ferguson – Dolphins – 84 to 85 – Offseason acquisition from Dallas has helped sure up the run defense in the middle.
LB Joey Porter – Dolphins – 88 to 89 – Only has 12 solo tackles, but 6.5 of them are sacks and countless other QB pressures.
T Vernon Carey – Dolphins – 87 to 88 – Neutralized Mario Williams every time he has matched up opposite him, extremely impressive showing vs. Houston.
DT Broderick Bunkley – Eagles – 84 to 85 – Beast of a man in the middle for Philly.
S Brian Dawkins – Eagles – 92 to 93 – Has returned to being all over the field at safety after whispers that he had gotten old.
HB Correll Buckhalter – Eagles – 82 to 83 – Showed again last week he is a more than capable running back when called upon.
S Quintin Mikell – Eagles – 85 to 86 – Leads the team in tackles with a pair of INT’s.
CB Brent Grimes – Falcons – 77 to 78 – Has emerged as Atlanta’s best corner after being called up off the practice squad end of last season.
DT Grady Jackson – Falcons – 80 to 82 – The Atlanta run defense was once a gaping hole up the middle, now the run defense is a somewhat respectable 20th.
LT Sam Baker – Falcons – 79 to 80 – Pass blocking left tackle who has the feet and head to be elite.
QB Matt Ryan – Falcons – 83 to 84 – Was extremely impressive firing the ball on a banged up Chicago secondary. Does not look like a rookie QB.
RT Tyson Clabo – Falcons – 78 to 80 – Has stepped in at RT and has neutralized opposing ends.
DE Justin Smith – 49ers – 89 to 90 – Never stops going and has been pressuring the QB quite often. Also has 32 tackles from the end position.
CB Corey Webster – Giants – 86 to 87 – While Aaron Ross was falling all over his self Webster was playing solid man coverage displaying great instincts.
HB Brandon Jacobs – Giants – 89 to 90 – Now 99 trucking with Barber. No back has as much power as Jacobs when he lowers his shoulder in a defender.
CB Rashean Mathis – Jaguars – 95 to 96 – Brandon Marshall had 9 for 98 vs. the Jags, but none of them were vs. Mathis – Mathis locked up Marshall .
S Brian Williams – Jaguars – 87 to 88 – Versatile safety for the Jags. Plays a lot of man coverage and is active in stopping the run.
DT Kris Jenkins – Jets – 93 to 94 – Jets currently sport the #3 rush defense in the NFL at 2.9 YPC. The reason is the middle being contained allowing the LB’s to make plays.
WR Laveranues Coles – Jets – 91 to 92 – Tied with Cotchery at 26 receptions. Leads the team with 328 yards.
WR Jerricho Cotchery – Jets – 90 to 91 – Leads the team with 4 receiving TD’s. Has developed into a very good WR.
CB Dwight Lowery – Jets – 77 to 79 – For my money the best rookie CB so far except for a few hiccups.
WR Randy Moss – Patriots – 98 to 99 – Sorry Randy. Proved over the last couple games that even if the QB can’t get him the ball and his effort is terrible he still can beat anyone deep. Beat the Charger defense deep at least 3 times and the QB couldn’t get him the ball.
DT Kedric Golston – Redskins – 80 to 84 – Has moved into the starting lineup on one of the better defenses in the NFL. #6 rush defense in the NFL.
CB Carlos Rogers – Redskins – 89 to 90 – Is all the way back from a knee injury. An impressive season so far.
LB Jonathan Vilma – Saints – 92 to 93 – Also looks back from a bad knee injury. Displays top notch instincts.
WR Lance Moore – Saints – 79 to 80 – Appears to be a legitimate NFL receiver and not some product of Drew Brees.
QB Drew Brees – Saints – 95 to 96 – Received a boost in arm strength in how the Saints have been airing the ball out the past couple seasons. Does not have the weak arm some suspected from his career in college and his start in San Diego.
DT Craig Terrill – Seahawks – 76 to 78 – Only good thing to say about the Seahawks in Week 6, relentless in trying to get off blocks.
HB Mewelde Moore – Steelers – 78 to 80 – Extremely versatile player in his first year in Pittsburgh. Filled in for Willie Parker and might have to do it a few more weeks.
HB Steve Slaton – Texans – 80 to 82 – Got some more speed after he displayed his burst a few more times vs. Miami.
G Mike Brisiel – Texans – 77 to 78 – Came out of nowhere last year to finish the season at RG, continues to start there and does a nice job run blocking.
T Eric Winston – Texans – 85 to 87 – Locked up Matt Roth and whoever else lined up against him. The Texans gave him a contract extension and it’s easy to see why.
HB Chris Johnson – Titans – 82 to 83 – Recovering in his bye week after not faring as well vs. grown men in Baltimore.
DE Kyle Vanden Bosch – Titans – 93 to 94 – One of those “high motor” guys. Never stops in trying to get to the QB.

Ratings Down
DT Tommie Harris – Bears – 96 to 94 – Bears run defense isn’t what it was, and whether its injuries or what he isn’t either.
WR Earl Bennett – Bears – 76 to 74 – Can’t get on the field in Chicago. Very polished product coming out of college.
HB Chris Perry – Bengals – 81 to 79 – For my money the worst running back so far this year. Averaging 2.6 YPC with 5 fumbles. Bring on Cedric Benson.
G Andrew Whitworth – Bengals – 86 to 84 – Got a nice contract extension and has got lazy maybe. The Bengals can’t run or pass block.
LB Kamerion Wimbley – Browns – 87 to 86 – Has done virtually nothing since his promising rookie year. 6 sacks in his last 21 games is unacceptable for a player whose job is to rush the QB.
LB Willie McGinest – Browns – 85 to 84 – Heard his name once in the Monday night game but this guy is old and shouldn’t be counted on for too much production.
HB Edgerrin James – Cardinals – 91 to 89 – Behind Chris Perry this guy is in the conversation for most unimpressive at HB. Hightower looks twice as quick, James is incredibly slow at this point in his career.
CB Antonio Cromartie – Chargers – 92 to 91 – Still a work in progress in man coverage. Can be beaten easily cause he is so eager to make a big play.
G Kris Dielman – Chargers – 92 to 91 – The famed left side of the Charger line isn’t blowing people off the ball like in years past.
TE Antonio Gates – Chargers – 98 to 97 – Injuries have cost this guy the ability to get open. Takes forever to get going and to change directions.
DT Ron Edwards – Chiefs – 83 to 78 – Completely out of the rotation at DT in the favor of going young in KC. Played pretty well last season.
FS Jarrad Page – Chiefs – 83 to 81 – Habitual tackle whiffer leading to big plays.
LB Donnie Edwards – Chiefs – 92 to 90 – Is banged up and has been out the past few weeks. Not a stretch to say his time in KC is up after this season.
TE Tony Gonzalez – Chiefs – 98 to 97 – We can’t remember how good you are because of the ineptness of the Chiefs passing game.
TE L.J. Smith – Eagles – 85 to 83 – Wants to be more involved in the offense? Difficult when LJ is usually hurt.
CB Chris Houston – Falcons – 78 to 77 – Extremely raw still trying to play man coverage which is supposed to be his strength. Very similar to his speedy predecessor at corner at Arkansas – Ahmad Carroll.
FB Tony Richardson – Jets – 90 to 88 – Thought something was up with Minnesota made no attempt to resign him, appears to be old.
C Dominic Raiola – Lions – 87 to 85 – Part of the giant mess known as the Detroit offensive line.
CB Brian Kelly – Lions – 82 to 80 – Is in and out of the starting rotation in Detroit which says enough. Can’t really be counted on in man coverage.
G Stephen Peterman – Lions – 80 to 77 – Has been out with injury and didn’t do a whole lot when he was in there.
S James Sanders – Patriots – 86 to 83 – Has not been involved at all in pass coverage.
S Michael Huff – Raiders – 87 to 85 – Is apparently a candidate to be benched in Oakland. Has not made any big plays in his time in the NFL.
DT Rocky Bernard – Seahawks – 84 to 83 – Seahawks can’t really stop anyone on the ground or anywhere else for that matter.
CB Kelly Jennings – Seahawks – 87 to 86 – Solid corner who has beaten deep too often this year. Now benched and plays in nickel situations.
QB Charlie Frye – Seahawks – 80 to 77 – His lack of poise was startling for a QB that has been in Seattle for over a year now. Looked bad vs. a so so Green Bay defense.
S Deon Grant – Seahawks – 87 to 85 – Has not been good this year in pass coverage.
S Brian Russell – Seahawks – 86 to 85 – No INT’s on the year and hasn’t teamed up with Deon Grant to be the safeties people expected.
DT Amobi Okoye – Texans – 92 to 89 – Might be in a sophomore slump after big things were expected of him. In and out of the lineup.
C Matt Birk – Vikings – 95 to 93 – The holes aren’t there in the middle for Peterson.
G Anthony Herrera – Vikings – 88 to 87 – Has struggled so far, especially in pass blocking.
RT Ryan Cook – Vikings – 87 to 84 – Has not been playing very well, and looked completely inept vs. Detroit and Jared DeVries.

Injuries
P Mat McBriar – Cowboys – IR
HB Brian Leonard – Rams – IR
S Gerald Alexander – Lions – IR
QB Jon Kitna – Lions – IR
G Marshall Yanda – Ravens – IR
LB Tavares Gooden – Ravens – IR
T Drew Radovich – Vikings – IR

Contracts
WR Roy Williams – Cowboys – 7 years