(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); You must login or register to view this content.Matt Cassel

You and Matt Cassel probably have a lot in common. Before week 2 of the 2008 season, you both probably started the same amount of NFL games...ZERO. In fact, if by some chance you started one college football game, even if it was at Central Toledo College of Cosmetology, that would still be one more than Matt Cassel ever did. So who could blame anyone for thinking the Pats season was over just as fast as it begun when Brady went down week 1? Well, Cassel had other plans. His plans included leading New England to an 11-5 record, throwing for almost 4,000 yards, and completing 63.4% of his passes. Add it all up and what do you get? $14 million and a ton of Chiefs jersey sales. Matt Cassel knows better than anyone the importance of Fighting For Every Yard... because he almost never got the chance to. Post your comments on the Madden NFL forum here.

2008 Stat Line: 3,693 yards, 21 TDs, 11 INT, 89.4 QB rating

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"America's Team" didn't make the playoffs last year, but don't blame DeMarcus Ware. The runner-up Defensive Player of the Year led the NFL in sacks with 20, 2.5 more than anyone else. The man from Troy has improved his tackles and sack totals every year since coming into the NFL in 2005, and Ware is one of the few LBs who can rush the passer, stop the run, and drop back into coverage- now that's Fighting For Every Yard. I don't know about you, but after the "TO-MO" break-up, I'm thinking the Cowboys can right the ship in 2009, and DWare might not have to settle for DPOY runner-up this time. Oh, and someone call Michael Strahan and tell him to enjoy his single season sack record while he still has it. "How bout this Cowboy" for the Madden NFL 10 cover?

2008 Stat Line: 84 tackles, 20 sacks

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2 Super Bowl rings by age 27 and the poster child for blue-collar, Steel City football. Say what you want about his QB rating in Super Bowl XL, the guy just wins games. With Big Ben, it's not about stats, it's about the way he plays the game. At 6'5" 240 lbs, there isn't a tougher QB to bring down in the league. How many times did we see him maneuver around a broken down pocket last post-season, only to find an open Hines Ward or Heath Miller for key 1st down? Oh, and then there's the brilliant Super Bowl winning pass to Santonio Holmes in the corner of the end zone, perfectly placed over 3 Arizona defenders. Fight For Every Yard? No, Big Ben Fights For Every Inch.

2008 Stat Line: 3,301 yards, 17 TDs, 10 INT, 80.1 QB Rating

You must login or register to view this content.Brandon Jacobs

Have you ever ran full speed, face first, into a brick wall? I know a lot of middle linebackers in the NFL who have. The wall's name was Brandon Jacobs. At 6'4" and 260+, there isn't another running back in the NFL better at short yard, goal-line situations. Try and find a Giants highlight of Jacobs falling backwards after colliding with a defender....you can't. Despite the "Earth, Wind, & Fire" rotation in NY's backfield, Earth still put up over 1,000 yards rushing, scored 15 times, and was 2nd in the league in yards per carry (at least 200 attempts) with 5.0 per touch, 2nd only to DeAngelo Williams. If there is a RB in the NFL who personifies Fight For Every Yard, #27 from NYC is it.

2008 Stat Line: 1,089 yards, 15 TDs

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Adrian Peterson is the heart and soul of the Minnesota Vikings. Talk about fighting for every yard, AD fought for 1,760 of them in 2008, leading the league in only his 2nd year on the job, and almost single-handedly guiding the Vikings to the NFC North crown. The ultimate combination of speed and power, Peterson has catapulted himself into super stardom and will be one of the faces of the NFL for several years to come. If anyone can reach 2000 yards next season, it's Adrian Peterson. How do you think a "purple people eater" would look on the cover of Madden NFL 10?

2008 Stat Line: 1,760 yards, 10 TDs

You must login or register to view this content.Ed Reed

Sure, Ray Lewis is the undisputed team captain, but ask any QB in the NFL (see Chad Pennington) who they fear the most on the Ravens #1-rated defense, and they'll tell you it's Ed Reed. (From? The U.) Simply put, Ed Reed is a ball hawk. He dominated opposing offenses last year, leading the league in interceptions with 9, including his NFL-record 107 yard TD return against Philly. Not to mention his 2 picks in the Wildcard game at Miami, scoring yet again. What do you think about Reed becoming only the 2nd defensive player to be on the cover? Who was the first one again? Oh yeah, Ray Lewis.

2008 Stat Line: 41 tackles, 9 INTs

hopefully big ben gets it so he can get the madden curse but i hope he doesnt get injured just have a bad season