Vikings’ long snapper latest player to boycott Madden NFL

Every year some player has an issue with his player rating or some other aspect of his Madden NFL representation.

As far as Minnesota Vikings long snapper Cullen Loeffler is concerned, they should be happy. They’re at least in the game. Madden NFL doesn’t include long snappers so Loeffler and his special teams brethren are up in arms.

There is one exception to the omissions. New York Giants long snapper Zak DeOssie is in the game, presumably because he is also listed as a linebacker for the team. DeOssie didn’t get any love from EA, though. His long snapping rating is 0 out of 100.

Listed as the Viking long snapper is center John Sullivan. He has handled those duties at least once before. By his own admission, he’s pretty bad at them. Loeffler said he doesn’t play Madden NFL since he’s not in it. During an interview with Loeffler, ESPN’s Jay Crawford suggested the long snapper could use the game’s create-a-player feature to put himself in the game. Loeffler responded he shouldn’t have to, since he actually does play professional football.

Loeffler told ESPN that John Madden wanted to make the most realistic game possible and that EA was letting him down. I’m not sure how much sleep John Madden, or anybody other than long snappers, is losing about this. I’ve been playing Madden for years and didn’t notice the missing long snappers. Long snappers are not unlike kickers in that you generally only hear about them when they’ve done something wrong. Oh, and when they’re boycotting EA football games.

In an e-mail, EA Sports Public Relations Director Rob Semsey said Madden NFL supports 53-man rosters only due to “technical limitations.” Players on injured reserve take up roster spots as well. While the grass roots campaign some of Loeffler’s Viking teammates are taking up is noble, I don’t think Madden NFL fans are too concerned about it.

Read [Game Informer] Also Read [St. Paul Pioneer Press]