November 20, 2008,

By Justin Dewiel

The next Madden NFL 09 roster update will be available for download on Friday November 21, 2008. This week's update is highlighted by a ratings increase to the entire Giants backfield with the exception of Brandon Jacobs and after the rushing yards that the team gained on the Ravens last week, who could argue. Included below is the full list of all of the latest changes coming to Madden NFL 09 via the roster update.

 

Transactions

WR Antonio Chatman - Released to FA (IR)

LB Abdul Hodge - Released to FA (IR)

LB John DiGiorgio - Released to FA (IR)

LB Marcus Buggs - Added to Bills

FB/LB Spencer Larsen - Added to Broncos

LB Geno Hayes - Released to FA (IR)

LB Matt McCoy - Signs with Bucs

LB Derek Smith - Released by Chargers

HB Michael Bennett - Signs with Chargers

LB Erik Walden - Released by Chiefs

HB Dantrell Savage - Released by Chiefs

CB Nick Graham - Released to FA (IR)

LB Rob Ninkovich - Signs with Dolphins

T Jacob Bender - Signs with 49ers

C/G Drew Miller - Signs with Jaguars

LB Jason Trusnik - Added to Jets

G Stanley Daniels - Added to Jets (Practice Squad)

S LaMarcus Hicks - Released by Lions

WR Adam Jennings - Signs with Lions

LB Gilbert Gardner - Released by Lions

LB Anthony Cannon - Added to Lions

C Brennen Carvalho - Added to Packers (Practice Squad)

DE KGB - Released by Packers

DE Kenny Pettway - Added to Packers

CB Mike Richardson - Added to Patriots

TE John Madsen - Released by Raiders

FB Jason Davis - Released by Raiders

G Junius Coston - Signs with Raiders

CB Justin Miller - Signs with Raiders

LT Anthony Davis - Signs with Rams

DT Brandon McKinney - Added to Ravens

TE Mark Campbell - Released to FA (IR)

HB Aaron Stecker - Released to FA (IR)

DT Brian Young - Released to FA (IR)

CB Leigh Torrence - Signs with Saints

HB Mike Bell - Signs with Saints

FB Darian Barnes - Signs with Saints

G Jeremy Parquet - Added to Steelers

 

Ratings Up

S Mike Brown - Bears - 87 to 88 - Was flashing big time hit power in Sunday's debacle to the Packers.

T John St. Clair - Bears - 73 to 76 - Has played better than expected or past performance would indicate. Chris Williams is back now so he might be moving to the bench at some point.

 FB Peyton Hillis - Broncos - 78 to 79 - Got a trucking increase by showing he can move the pile at the NFL level vs. the Falcons.

HB Jerome Harrison - Browns - 77 to 78 - Got a speed increase after he turned on the jets Monday night.

CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie - 80 to 81 - Flashed big ability in grapping a couple picks vs. the Seahawks.

DT Glenn Dorsey - Chiefs - 80 to 82 - Has made more plays recently, especially in last week's game vs. the Saints.

LB Joey Porter - Dolphins - 92 to 94 - Continues to be a monster off the edge.

LB Stewart Bradley - Eagles - 80 to 81 -

DE Darren Howard - Eagles - 82 to 84 - Is thriving in the ‘Justin Tuck' role. Playing inside on passing downs has revived his career.

DT Jonathan Babineaux - Falcons - 82 to 84 - Is having a big year with 7 tackles for loss thus far.

DE Jamaal Anderson - Falcons - 81 to 82 - Is starting to pressure the QB more frequently after not having a sack his rookie year.

C Shaun O'Hara - Giants - 92 to 94 - Dominated Justin Bannan one on one in the Giants big day over the Ravens.

FB Madison Hedgecock - Giants - 88 to 89 - Has had quite the resurgence after being released by the Rams last season.

S Michael Johnson - 81 to 83 - Looks to have won the fight with Kenny Phillips. Has played very well in coverage this season. Phillips and Johnson now start together.

HB Derrick Ward - Giants - 82 to 84 - Signed a 1 year deal this year and looks to cash in this offseason in  free agency after a big season with the best O-line going.

HB Ahmad Bradshaw - Giants - 82 to 83 - Looks to have his role expanded next season as the key backup.

G Rich Seubert - Giants - 91 to 92 - Starts at LG for the dominate offensive line in pro football.

G Chris Snee - Giants - 95 to 96 - One of or the dominate RG in the NFL.

LB Justin Durant - Jaguars - 83 to 85 - Speedy LB for the Jags who will be a big part of the defense for many years.

S Gerald Sensabaugh - Jaguars - 79 to 81 - Starting now at safety for the Jaguars after moving the former starter back to cornerback.

HB Leon Washington - Jets - 82 to 83 - Got some more speed after making some big plays against the Patriots that the Jets had to have.

S Abram Elam - Jets - 76 to 79 - Has been making big plays and is now starting again at safety after being a backup earlier in the year.

TE Dustin Keller - Jets - 80 to 82 - Looks to be developing chemistry with Brett Favre. He will need to be clicking against undefeated Tennessee.

HB Thomas Jones - Jets - 89 to 90 - Had to have heard Leon Washington's footsteps and has returned in a big way after a down year last year. The upgrade to the OL surely helped.

QB Matt Cassell - Patriots - 78 to 79 - Got a boost in speed and acceleration as he showed scrambling ability vs. the Jets. Still someone is gonna pay this guy way too much.

LB Gary Guyton - Patriots - 73 to 78 - The Pats 3rd MLB gets plenty of time and valuable experience as he will no doubt be a starter.

DE Aaron Smith - Steelers - 96 to 97 - Continued to be dominate and cave in the right side of the offensive line.

LB LaMarr Woodley - Steelers - 87 to 88 - Made a play in coverage last week in addition to making plays rushing the passer.

LB James Harrison - Steelers - 95 to 96 -

LB Xavier Adibi - Texans - 73 to 76 - Had a big game filling in for injured starter Morlon Greenwood.

CB Chris Carr - Titans - 71 to 76 - The star of the Jags/Titans game. Showed he can play CB in the NFL.

QB Kerry Collins - Titans - 81 to 82 - Showed the cannon a couple times vs. the Jags.

WR Justin Gage - Titans - 80 to 81 - Got a speed increase after he proved he is healthy vs. the Jags with some big plays.

LB Chad Greenway - Vikings - 88 to 89 - Has been the one that stepped up after the loss of E.J. Henderson.

 

Ratings Down

QB Trent Edwards - Bills - 83 to 82 - Continued his string of poor performances on Monday night vs. the Browns.

S Calvin Lowry - Broncos - 77 to 75 - Made some very bad plays in pursuit vs. the Falcons.

CB Karl Paymah - Broncos - 77 to 73 - Did a lot of damage to his value by his poor play this season.

CB Brandon McDonald - Browns - 82 to 78 - Was demoted in the Browns secondary. Not a good thing for longevity.

WR Braylon Edwards - Browns - 95 to 92 - Catching was lowered due to his ability not to be able to hang onto the ball.

WR Patrick Crayton - Cowboys - 82 to 80 - Might have his role expanded after the injury to Miles Austin. Was not involved with the addition of Roy Williams and the emergence of Austin.

CB Drayton Florence - Jaguars - 85 to 81 - Was demoted to nickel back causing a shift in the secondary. Was burned last week vs. the Titans.

DT Rob Meier - Jaguars - 86 to 82 - Has not played as well as he did last season.

DE Paul Spicer - Jaguars - 86 to 83 - Another guy on the Jags defensive line not playing to expectations.

LB Ernie Sims - Lions - 93 to 91 - Has not been a difference maker on defense.

S Michael Huff - Raiders - 85 to 78 - Facts are facts. This guy is a bust.

LT Kwame Harris - Raiders - 78 to 74 - On the short list for worst starting LT in the league. Leads the league in false starts.

QB JaMarcus Russell - Raiders - 79 to 75 - Continues to display very bad downfield accuracy. Anytime he is off the Raiders play calling leash he shows how long he still has to go.

CB Tye Hill - Rams - 81 to 75 - This year has been a disaster after he expected big things at the start of the season.

DT La'Roi Glover - Rams - 82 to 78 - Has now been relegated to being blown off the ball as a backup.

LB Will Witherspoon - Rams - 90 to 89 - Looked completely horrendous and hobbled in last week's game against the 49ers.

QB Marc Bulger - Rams - 87 to 85 - Had another horrendous start vs. the Jets. Was able to rack up passing attempts and yards after they were down by 30 points.

WR Torry Holt - Rams - 94 to 93 - Not able to separate like the old Torry Holt. Now he might be old Torry Holt.

G Anthony Herrera - Vikings - 87 to 83 - Has been beaten too often this year in pass protection.

T Ryan Cook - Vikings - 84 to 81 - Has been benched in Minnesota at RT.

 

Injuries

HB Earnest Graham - Bucs - IR

DE Turk McBride - Chiefs - IR

TE Tom Santi - Colts - IR

T Jonas Jennings - 49ers - IR

CB Terrence Wheatley - Patriots - IR

DE Patrick Kerney - Seahawks - IR