CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Carolina Panthers wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr. wasn’t happy.
It had nothing to do with what happened during Monday’s practice. It had everything to do with the speed rating he was given in Madden NFL 16.
“I’m very pissed,’’ Ginn said when asked about the rating. “An 88?’’
Ginn prides himself on being the fastest player on the team. Most of his teammates agree, according to an informal survey taken during training camp.
But according to Madden NFL 16, Ginn’s not even close. Cornerback Teddy Williams was given a speed rating of 94, followed by cornerback Carrington Byndom at 93, defensive back Colin Jones at 90 and rookie wide receiver Devin Funchess at 89.
Ginn and fellow wide receiver Corey Brown are next at 88.
“I think they just took my age and bumped me down,’’ said Ginn, who is 30. “I’m going to get it right. They’re going to have to update to get me back to where I’m going to be.’’
It wouldn’t be the first time a member of the Panthers asked for an update. Cam Newton was so bothered that his speed ranked eighth among quarterbacks last season that he stopped by the desk of “Ratings Czar” Donny Moore during a visit to Madden headquarters to discuss it.
Moore pointed to the walking boot Newton had on his left foot after undergoing offseason surgery on his ankle.
Case closed.
Newton has a speed rating of 84 in Madden 16. Washington’s Robert Griffin III has a 90, followed by Tennessee’s Marcus Mariota at 88, Seattle’s Russell Wilson at 86, San Francisco’s Colin Kaepernick at 85 and New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith at 85.
No word on whether Newton is happy with his current rating.
Pride in speed isn’t limited to players who rely on it. Carolina kicker Graham Gano once complained that his speed was far off and got it bumped up 10 points.
“It was wrong,’’ Gano deadpanned.
Gano is happy with his current speed rating of 75. Ginn, not so much.
“Eighty-eight? Funchess is 89?’’ Ginn said. “Yeah, I’m pissed.’’
