Find your hidden gems

Find your madden 12 hidden gems. Too many times I see people talking about certain teams depth charts and whatnot, and thats all good. Your depth chart is one thing and who is on the field is another thing entirely

for me it is anyway

But they will completely pass over certain key guys. Are these guys every play players? No but these guys are still players who can really make a difference in your offense or defense when used correctly.

I have full confidence that EVERY TEAM has at least one madden gem that if used correctly could take an average scheme to the next level

Now maybe I need to define my version of a madden gem for a little bit of clarification.

They are no named -little known players
They just dont have to have elite speed
They dont need to have elite hight

They have to be guys that serve a purpose. Since I am an Atlanta Falcon fan I think it would be helpful to give an example that I and others can connect with and see where im coming from

K. Meier (ATL WR)
6 foot 2
81 speed

Are those impressive at first glance? In my opinion it is not

But what he does have is 86 catching and 81 catch in traffic...now does everything together look impressive? NO

But what he gives me is a reliable WR who will catch the ball and he has a little size. By himself he isnt a threat to any defense. But paired withother receiving options

-a speed line up of H. Dougless, Jones, and White
- a height line up with Tony Gonzales, Julio Jones and a tad bit of speed with White

he can be a very viable passing option that could be very productive

now once you have a line up around that player that complements them you have to also have a scheme that complements them.

It would do me no good running Meier on drag routes now would it

Offensivly the falcons also have Jason Snelling (very good hands, trucking,blocker) and Jacquizz Rodgers (super shifty) at running back. Atlanta Falcons also have J. Zelenka (great run blocker) and R. Kelly(surprisingly good pass catcher) at Tight End who are madden gems

Defensivly there are also gems
Again these guys dont have to just have elite speed. But heres the types of gems you could have on defense. They could have 1 of any of the listed attributes to be gems

DT
-very fast DTs
-super strong DTs
-good finness/power move guys
- great acceleration

DEs
-speed
-very high block shed
-high finness/power move

LB
-high speed
-high tackling
-crazy good zone coverage

CB
-very good jump
-speed

Safety
-high hit power
-high tackling
-speed

Again they have to be little know players.

But the defensive scheme makes or breaks these players more than anything. And way more than offensive players.


You have to play to the players talents and have complamentery players around him that either can cover for their mistakes or are players that fit the scheme.

You just cant put a high speed DE on the field and pair him with a defensive tackle who cant get off of blocks. Thats a bad pair and it will be exploited

But I have probably kept you guys for too long but here is the closing messege.

Find your gems......LOOK AT YOUR DEPTH CHART!!!!!! all of the players !!!!
Find a way to use these guys. No they dont have to be every play guys but if their not used they become liabilities. Turn them into assets

On offense I start four different running backs depending on the formation and what I want to do. Find a place for your guys