GRONK SPIKE! The votes are in and Rob Gronkowski is the cover athlete for Madden 17!

EA has gotten a lot of hate for the past couple of.. well, forever. Every year they seem to just fine tune their version of Madden, and fans are starting to get upset over that. This year seems to be no different. Just a couple of new mechanics and game modes, but what can we expect in a game that comes out yearly?

A quote from EA: “We’ve added a tiered system to the types of special moves different players are able to pull off – depending on their attributes, ratings and speed. So now, expect your bigger bruising backs to be more effective with truck moves and stiff arms, while smaller, shiftier backs have more effective jukes and spins. Now don’t worry if you’re not a magician yet on the sticks. New Ball Carrier UI Prompts help teach moves available to you, while the new Path Assist helps you navigate and anticipate down field. Additionally on lower skill levels, you can put the work on us and we will pick the appropriate moves for you, unlocking the fun for all of our players.” Also they had this to say about Defense and Special Teams: “The New Defensive AI System is built on up to date NFL Strategies – such as Gap Play, Force Defenders and improved Zone Coverages. It’s time to force your opponents to stop being so one dimensional. New Gap Play AI brings a new level of NFL authenticity and strategy to your defensive teammates. Each of your teammates has a gap assignment on run defense that puts them in position to better defend the run. Force defenders protect the outside of the field, pushing the ball carrier back inside allowing cut back defenders to make the big play. Finally Zone Coverage has been completely overhauled, with the addition of 8 new zone concepts never before seen in Madden. Defenders have more awareness of threats to each zone and can pattern match receivers, creating defensive counters to stop virtually every passing concept. It’s our most realistic AI to date and it’s across the entire field. Special Teams, the 3rd phase of football, is where big games are often won and lost. For the first time in years we’re bringing the excitement back to special teams. A New Kick Meter is designed to increase the challenge of the kicking game like we see in today’s NFL. Additionally, the ability to ice the kicker allows you to turn up the pressure on those late game winning field goal attempts. New trick plays and a new block kick mechanic add new elements to the risk and reward of Special Teams.”

I actually am looking forward to many of these upgrades, especially on the special teams’ side of the ball. Trick plays and the new block mechanic are what really stands out to me. As for all the other aspects, it looks like they’re adding some stuff and upgrading play concepts, so that can become exciting as well.

What do you think of the cover athlete, pictures, and new mechanics? Leave a comment down below!