Player Roles in Madden NFL 12

One of the most intriguing and valuable additions to Madden NFL 12 has come with the introduction of  ‘Player Roles’. The impact of each role varies from being helpful or detrimental on the field or in identifying their place on a team roster for management purposes.

Here is a look at what each of the 23 roles signify and the current lineup of players who have received a role for each NFL team. It’s unclear at this time if roles will be altered over the course of the year through roster updates.

Deep Threat: This role means that this player is someone who is a threat to stretch the defense on any play. It does have an in-game impact, increasing the player’s receiving ratings and his QB’s deep throw accuracy.

Defensive Playmaker: This role means that this player is valued by their franchise as a player who can make a huge play when needed the most. It does have an in-game impact, increasing the player’s ratings at key moments in the game.

Feature Back: This role means that this HB is valued by their franchise as the focus of their running game. It does have an in-game impact, and it increases this player’s stamina and ball carrier vision ratings.

First Round Pick: This role means that this player was drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft.

Franchise Quarterback: This role means that this QB is valued by their franchise as the QB they want to build the team around. It does have an in-game impact, and it increases this player’s short, medium, and deep accuracy ratings.

Fumble Prone: This role means that this player has a hard time holding on to the football. It does have an in-game impact, increasing the chances of the player fumbling at key points in the game.

Future Star: This role means that this player is viewed as a potential future star for his team.

Game Manager: This role means that this player is someone that the team can count on as a safe option at QB. It does have an in-game impact, increasing the player’s ratings on third down.

Go to Guy: This role means that this player is valued by their franchise as a player that can make the big catch when needed the most. It does have an in-game impact, and it increases this player’s catch in traffic rating and his QB’s medium throw accuracy rating.

Injury Prone: This role means that this player has a hard time staying on the field because of injury issues. It does have an in-game impact, increasing the chances of picking up an injury during the game.

Iron Man: This role means that this player fights through injuries to stay on the field. It does have an in-game impact, increasing injury and toughness ratings during the game.

Offensive Playmaker: This role means that this player is someone who can take over the game when the team needs it. It does have an in-game impact, increasing key ratings on 3rd down and in the 4th quarter for the player and decreasing ratings for the opposing defenders.

Pass Rusher: This role means that this player is viewed as a player who consistently puts pressure on the QB. It does have an in-game impact, positive for his teammates in the secondary and negative for the opposing o-line.

Playoff Performer: This role means that this player really turns it on in the playoffs. It does have an in-game impact, increasing key ratings for the player and his teammates in playoff games.

Project Player: This role means that this player is someone with great physical talent but a low overall rating.

QB of the Future: This role means that this QB is valued by the franchise as their potential future QB. It prevents the team from drafting another QB in the first round or signing a better QB in free agency.

Return Specialist: This role means that this player is valued by their franchise as someone who can be a threat in the return game. It does have an in-game impact, positive for the player and his blockers and negative for the defenders trying to tackle him.

Run Stopper: This role means that this player is viewed as a great defender vs. the run. It does have an in-game impact, positive for the defensive teammates of the player and negative for the opposing HB.

Shutdown Corner: This role means that this player is valued by their franchise as someone who can shutdown any WR in the NFL. It does have an in-game impact, positive for the player with the role and negative for the opposing WR and QB.

Team Leader: This role means that this player is the unquestioned leader of his team. It has a large in-game impact, increasing ratings of all teammates on the field.

Team Mentor: This role means that this player is a valuable presence in the locker room. It does have an in-game impact, increasing awareness and play recognition for the player’s teammates at his position.

Trench Warrior: This role means that this player is a beast in the trenches. It does have an in-game impact, increasing run and pass blocking ratings for the player.

Underachiever: This role means that this player is considered someone who has not lived up to expectations. It does have an in-game impact on the player.

Bears
Brian Urlacher (Defensive Playmaker)
Julius Peppers (Pass Rusher)
Roy Williams (Underachiever)
Johnny Knox (Deep Threat)
Chris Spencer (Underachiever)
Devin Hester (Deep Threat, Return Specialist)
Jay Cutler (Franchise QB)
Vernon Gholston (Underachiever)
Chris Williams (Injury Prone)
Matt Forte (Offensive Playmaker)

Bengals
Jermaine Gresham (Future Star)
Carlos Dunlap (Future Star)
Andy Dalton (QB of the Future)
A.J. Green (Future Star, Offensive Playmaker)
Carson Palmer (Fumble Prone)
Adam “Pacman” Jones (Underachiever)
Manny Lawson (Underachiever)
Reggie Nelson (Underachiever)
Kelly Jennings (Underachiever)

Bills
Ryan Fitzpatrick (Game Manager)
Buster Davis (Underachiever)

Broncos
Brian Dawkins (Team Mentor)
Champ Bailey (Shutdown Corner)
Tim Tebow (Offensive Playmaker)
Von Miller (Pass Rusher, Future Star)
Broderick Bunkley (Underachiever)
Elvis Dumervil (Pass Rusher)
Brady Quinn (Underachiever)

Browns
Colt McCoy (QB of the Future)
Carlton Mitchell (Project Player)
Joe Haden (Future Star)
T.J. Ward (Defensive Playmaker)
Josh Cribbs (Return Specialist, Offensive Playmaker)
Joe Thomas (Team Leader)
Peyton Hillis (Fumble Prone)

Buccaneers
Ronde Barber (Team Mentor)
LeGarrette Blount (Future Star)
Mike Williams (Future Star)
DaQuan Bowers (Injury Prone, Future Star)
Kellen Winslow (Offensive Playmaker)
Josh Freeman (Franchise QB)
John McCargo (Underachiever)

Cardinals
Patrick Peterson (Future Star, Defensive Playmaker)
Todd Heap (Injury Prone)
Larry Fitzgerald (Go to Guy)
Levi Brown (Underachiever)

Chargers
Takeo Spikes (Team Mentor)
Philip Rivers (Franchise QB, Team Leader)
Shaun Phillips (Pass Rusher)
Bob Sanders (Injury Prone)
Antonio Gates (Offensive Playmaker)
Larry English (Underachiever)
Kris Dielman (Trench Warrior)

Chiefs
Tony Moeaki (Future Star)
Eric Berry (Future Star)
Tyson Jackson (Underachiever)
Dwayne Bowe (Go to Guy)
Steve Breaston (Return Specialist)
Jamaal Charles (Offensive Playmaker)
Brandon Flowers (Shutdown Corner)

Colts
Peyton Manning (Franchise QB, Team Leader)
Jeff Saturday (Team Mentor)
Jerry Hughes (Underachiever)
Dwight Freeney (Pass Rusher)
Dallas Clark (Offensive Playmaker)
Tyler Brayton (Underachiever)
Robert Mathis (Pass Rusher)
Austin Collie (Go to Guy)
Ernie Sims (Underachiever)
Antoine Bethea (Defensive Playmaker)
Jamaal Anderson (Underachiever)
Jacob Tamme (Go to Guy)

Cowboys
Jon Kitna (Game Manager)
Dez Bryant (Future Star)
DeMarco Murray (Future Star, Injury Prone)
Jason Witten (Go to Guy)
Marcus Spears (Underachiever)
DeMarcus Ware (Pass Rusher)
Jay Ratliff (Trench Warrior)
Miles Austin (Deep Threat)

Dolphins
Mike Pouncey (Future Star)
Randy Starks (Run Stopper)
Reggie Bush (Offensive Playmaker, Injury Prone)
Brandon Marshall (Go to Guy)
Cameron Wake (Pass Rusher)

Eagles
Michael Vick (Offensive Playmaker, Fumble Prone)
Nnamdi Asomugha (Shutdown Corner)
Asante Samuel (Defensive Playmaker)
Jeremy Maclin (Deep Threat)
LeSean McCoy (Offensive Playmaker)
Cullen Jenkins (Run Stopper)
Marlin Jackson (Injury Prone)
Trent Cole (Pass Rusher)
Vince Young (Underachiever)
Brent Celek (Go to Guy)
DeSean Jackson (Offensive Playmaker, Deep Threat)

Falcons
Tony Gonzalez (Team Mentor)
Jacquizz Rodgers (Offensive Playmaker)
Julio Jones (Go to Guy)
Michael Turner (Feature Back, Team Leader)
Tyson Clabo (Trench Warrior)
Peria Jerry (Underachiever)
Roddy White (Go to Guy)
Matt Ryan (Franchise QB)

49ers
Mike Iupati (Trench Warrior)
Justin Smith (Run Stopper)
Frank Gore (Feature Back, Fumble Prone)
Alex Smith (Underachiever)
Vernon Davis (Offensive Playmaker)
Ted Ginn (Underachiever)
Patrick Willis (Defensive Playmaker)

Giants
Da’Rel Scott (Project Player)
Osi Umenyiora (Pass Rusher)
Eli Manning (Franchise QB)
Michael Clayton (Underachiever)
Chris Snee (Trench Warrior)
Aaron Ross (Underachiever)
Ahmad Bradshaw (Fumble Prone)

Jaguars
Tyson Alualu (Future Star)
Blaine Gabbert (QB of the Future)
David Garrard (Fumble Prone)
Maurice Jones-Drew (Feature Back)

Jets
Mark Brunell (Team Mentor)
LaDainian Tomlinson (Team Mentor, Team Leader)
Mark Sanchez (Franchise QB)
Antonio Cromartie (Defensive Playmaker)
D’Brickashaw Ferguson (Team Leader)
Santonio Holmes (Playoff Performer, Offensive Playmaker)
Darrelle Revis (Shutdown Corner)

Lions
Ndamukong Suh (Future Star)
Nick Fairley (Run Stopper)
Shaun Hill (Game Manager)
Matt Stafford (Franchise QB, Injury Prone)
Brandon Pettigrew (Future Star)
Louis Delmas (Future Star)
Bobby Carpenter (Underachiever)
Calvin Johnson (Go to Guy)
Lawrence Jackson (Underachiever)

Packers
Donald Driver (Team Mentor)
Chad Clifton (Team Mentor)
Charles Woodson (Team Mentor, Shutdown Corner)
B.J. Raji (Future Star)
Clay Matthews (Defensive Playmaker, Future Star)
Aaron Rodgers (Franchise QB, Playoff Performer)
Tramon Williams (Defensive Playmaker, Future Star)
Jermichael Finely (Offensive Playmaker, Future Star)

Panthers
Jimmy Clausen (Fumble Prone)
Cam Newton (QB of the Future)
Jeremy Shockey (Injury Prone)
Jordan Gross (Team Leader)
Jon Beason (Defensive Playmaker)
Kentwan Balmer (Underachiever)

Patriots
Tom Brady (Franchise QB, Playoff Performer)
Rob Gronkowski (Future Star)
Aaron Hernandez (Future Star)
Devin McCourty (Future STar)
Wes Welker (Go to Guy)
Logan Mankins (Trench Warrior)

Raiders
Jacoby Ford (Deep Threat)
Lamarr Houston (Future Star)
Stefen Wisniewski (Trench Warrior)
Kyle Boller (Underachiever)
Darrius Heyward-Bey (Deep Threat)
Jarvis Moss (Underachiever)
Darren McFadden (Offensive Playmaker)

Rams
Sam Bradford (Franchise QB)
George Selvie (Project Player)
Steven Jackson (Feature Back, Team Leader)
Cadillac Williams (Underachiever)
Mark Clayton (Underachiever)
Chris Long (Future Star)

Ravens
Ray Lewis (Team Mentor, Defensive Playmaker)
Matt Birk (Team Mentor)
Ed Dickson (Project Player)
Ed Reed (Defensive Playmaker, Playoff Performer)
Terrell Suggs (Pass Rusher)
Haloti Ngata (Run Stopper)
Ben Grubbs (Trench Warrior)
Joe Flacco (Franchise QB)
Ray Rice (Feature Back)

Redskins
London Fletcher (Team Mentor)
Philip Buchanan (Underachiever)
Donte Stallworth (Underachiever)
Rex Grossman (Underachiever)
Brian Orakpo (Pass Rusher)
LaRon Landry (Defensive Playmaker)
Adam Carriker (Underachiever)

Saints
Jimmy Graham (Future Star)
Drew Brees (Franchise QB, Team Leader)
Darren Sproles (Return Specialist)
Alex Barron (Underachiever)
Jahri Evans (Trench Warrior)
Carl Nicks (Trench Warrior)

Seahawks
Earl Thomas (Defensive Playmaker, Future Star)
Leon Washington (Return Specialist)
Marshawn Lynch (Playoff Performer)
Sidney Rice (Go to Guy, Injury Prone)

Steelers
James Farrior (Team Mentor)
Hines Ward (Go to Guy, Team Mentor)
Maurkice Pouncey (Future Star)
Aaron Smith (Run Stopper)
Brett Keisel (Run Stopper)
Byron Leftwich (Underachiever)
Troy Polamalu (Playoff Performer, Defensive Playmaker)
Ben Roethlisberger (Franchise QB)
Mike Wallace (Deep Threat)
James Harrison (Pass Rusher, Defensive Playmaker)
LaMarr Woodley (Pass Rusher, Future Star)
Rashard Mendenhall (Feature Back)

Texans
Dorin Dickerson (Project Player)
Andre Johnson (Go to Guy)
Brian Cushing (Defensive Playmaker)
Arian Foster (Feature Back)
Jason Allen (Underachiever)
Matt Leinart (Underachiever)

Titans
Marc Mariani (Return Specialist)
Jake Locker (QB of the Future)
Chris Johnson (Offensive Playmaker)

Vikings
Christian Ponder (QB of the Future)
Michael Jenkins (Underachiever)
Percy Harvin (Deep Threat, Offensive Playmaker)
Jared Allen (Pass Rusher)
Cedric Griffin (Injury Prone)
Adrian Peterson (Feature Back, Fumble Prone)