Shutdown Corner - NFL

Until EA Sports releases "Sports Blogger Pie Eating Contest '10," I'm never going to know what it's like to be in a video game. I'm never going to know what it feels like to pop a disc in the ol' XBox 360, turn it on and see what rating I've been assigned.

I'd imagine that most guys think they should be rated above where they are, because that's just human nature, and professional football is a profession that lends itself easily to a large ego. Everyone wants a high ranking. Everyone lacks perspective when judging their own abilities.

That said, I think T.J. Houshmandzadeh(notes) is being particularly unreasonable here. The man's rated a 91, and he's going slightly bananas over it. He said on the Colin Cowherd show today that he's boycotting Madden '10 until they show proper respect for his abilities.

"I understand I averaged 10 yards a catch, but it's the offense, not me. I'm not playing Madden no more until they get my rating right. ... I used to be the best in the world at Madden. I'm going to miss not playing it, but until they do me right, I'm not playing it any more."

And he's a 91! What did he want to be, a 114? Does he insist that little polygonal T.J. Houshmandzadeh be bathed in a warming, angelic glow of pure white light at all times? It's a 91, man. I hope I'm not shattering any illusions when I suggest that T.J. Houshmandzadeh should be pretty happy with a 91.

As for EA Sports, I don't know how they're going to cope. A player who likely got the game for free anyway now refuses to play. I hope the company is able to rebound from the setback.

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722 Comments

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  1. Harmon
    1. Posted by Harmon Tue Jul 21, 2009 3:26 pm EDT

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    I think he is saying that he wants to be worse than a 91.
  2. brian b
    2. Posted by brian b Tue Jul 21, 2009 3:28 pm EDT

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    From all of the comments about how your blogs suck, your better off not knowing your rating.
  3. jagr07
    3. Posted by jagr07 Tue Jul 21, 2009 3:34 pm EDT

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    more like doushmandzadeh
  4. Blackearth
    4. Posted by Blackearth Tue Jul 21, 2009 3:34 pm EDT

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    Is that TJ or his bobblehead?
  5. TellinThaTruth
    5. Posted by TellinThaTruth Tue Jul 21, 2009 3:43 pm EDT

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    yo these guys dont get to where they are being modest....
  6. DelRegno
    6. Posted by DelRegno Tue Jul 21, 2009 3:45 pm EDT

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    Perhaps he doesn't realize that EA Sports Modified their Rating system due to inflated Rates.
    So if hes a 91 in this game that would be like a 95 in last years game which he should be fine with.
  7. djt7979
    7. Posted by djt7979 Tue Jul 21, 2009 3:45 pm EDT

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    Awesome. The best story I've read today.
  8. Pure R
    8. Posted by Pure R Tue Jul 21, 2009 3:53 pm EDT

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    91 hes lucky he's rated that high dont worry TJ the seattle offense will net u a 79 just like Koren Robinson Go Figure and I miss fantasy football
  9. Pure R
    9. Posted by Pure R Tue Jul 21, 2009 3:53 pm EDT

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    91 hes lucky he's rated that high dont worry TJ the seattle offense will net u a 79 just like Koren Robinson Go Figure and I miss fantasy football
  10. Devon Da Phenom
    10. Posted by Devon Da Phenom Tue Jul 21, 2009 3:53 pm EDT

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    Lol..madden a legal drug...no way he puts it down
  11. alex m
    11. Posted by alex m Tue Jul 21, 2009 4:16 pm EDT

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    That's why they have roster updates, that way once he tanks out in Seattle he will be at a more respectable 85
  12. mikec
    12. Posted by mikec Tue Jul 21, 2009 4:17 pm EDT

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    still pissed he left the bengals
  13. Isaac M
    13. Posted by Isaac M Tue Jul 21, 2009 4:31 pm EDT

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    Roflmao. Really, Housh? That's just dumb. My only hope is that he was being facetious, but I really doubt that. And I like how he added to the egotism with "I used to be the best in the world at Madden."
    TJ, shut up and go fight Deion Branch for your job.
  14. Derek L
    14. Posted by Derek L Tue Jul 21, 2009 4:44 pm EDT

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    TJ is garbage. Dont worry TJ youll get your catches playing in that weak ass conference
  15. Luke N
    15. Posted by Luke N Tue Jul 21, 2009 4:45 pm EDT

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    Lol this isn't the attention the Seahawks want or need
  16. EDWARD
    16. Posted by EDWARD Tue Jul 21, 2009 4:57 pm EDT

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    this is a viable news/sports story? we are getting really hard up for entertainment. this has gotta be one for the "who f'n cares" story of the year. what kind of toilet paper does he use?
  17. enr p
    17. Posted by enr p Tue Jul 21, 2009 5:11 pm EDT

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    I used to like playing madden. Not anymore. For the new ones you have soo many controls, soo many ways to do something you need to head over to amazon and buy a instructional book on how to do things.
    Besides, a simple pass to a receiver and it's a 50% chance he'll drop it ! Makes me mad...
    _Rather play Modern Warfare dudes///
  18. enr p
    18. Posted by enr p Tue Jul 21, 2009 5:13 pm EDT

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    Read Post #13 You''l agree too.... (More respectable Ocho-Cinco ha !)
  19. TylerD
    19. Posted by TylerD Tue Jul 21, 2009 5:55 pm EDT

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    He comes off a bit self-centered, but I think alot of players feel this way, there just smart enough to keep there mouth shut and edit their ratings, but if he think hes better then a 91 as a Seahawks fan right here he has better damn well prove it because Hasselbeck will get the ball to him, so he better catch it. By the way to the Isaac comment he wont have to much trouble beating Branch out, seeing as which Branch will jam his pinky in training camp and will miss half the year. Such a damn pansy
  20. Don Squeek
    20. Posted by Don Squeek Tue Jul 21, 2009 6:18 pm EDT

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    He has hasslebench throwing him the ball now. He will average 5 yards a catch if hasslebeck can get it that far with his women's arm. That guy fakes more injuries thena soccer player.
  21. Todd
    21. Posted by Todd Tue Jul 21, 2009 6:42 pm EDT

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    Houshmandzadeh thinks he could ball in the NBA, too.
    http://sportsnwmag.com/2009/07/houshmandzadeh-just-wants-a-fair-chance/
  22. scoopin
    22. Posted by scoopin Tue Jul 21, 2009 6:58 pm EDT

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    Brian B
    Speaking of suck,
    The A's, Raiders, and your fantasy teams all SUCK!

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