In 2011, with the release of "Madden NFL 12," EA Sports introduced a new feature to the series called "Player Traits." They were intended to better define individuals beyond what the standard ratings were capable of doing.
One of those ratings was "Clutch." It provided a ratings boosts to the select players who have it in the final minutes of games or in tight situations. Thirty-six players were given the designation, and for the next couple Madden releases the total fluctuated between 34 and 38 as a few players were shuttled in and out.
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The number has been dropping since last year, however, and in "Madden NFL" 16 there are only 28 players classified as "Clutch."
Quarterback
Tom Brady
Drew Brees
Ben Roethlisberger
Joe Flacco
Eli Manning
Andrew Luck
Tim Tebow
Jameis Winston
Running back
Marshawn Lynch
Adrian Peterson
Frank Gore
Tight end
Jimmy Graham
Antonio Gates
Wide receiver
Calvin Johnson
Anquan Boldin
Larry Fitzgerald
Andre Johnson
Steve Smith
Linebacker
Derrick Johnson
Clay Matthews
DeMarcus Ware
Cornerback
Darrelle Revis
Malcolm Butler
Safety
Eric Weddle
Charles Woodson
Kicker
Justin Tucker
Adam Vinatieri
Matt Prater
To get the "Clutch" trait players have had to earn it, either through memorable moments in playoff games or consistent great play in close games backed up by playoff success.
As can be seen from the list, many of the players are nearing the ends of their careers and others have simply been grandfathered through as "Clutch" even though they haven't really done anything in the past few seasons to justify it. Some of those include Gore, Boldin, Andre Johnson, Steve Smith, Fitzgerald, Matthews, Ware, Weddle, and Prater. All of those players were originally designated as "Clutch" in 2011 or 2012 by Madden and have just been left that way.
Two players fell out of the "Clutch" group that were there in "Madden NFL 15," both due to retirement. Patrick Willis and Troy Polamalu had the trait since its inception.
There's definitely some inconsistency to who has, and doesn't have, the "Clutch" trait. Andrew Luck has fewer fourth-quarter comebacks and game-winning drives than Russell Wilson, and not nearly the postseason success, but Luck was given the trait last season. Malcolm Butler won the Super Bowl with a fantastic play so he absolutely deserves it (and EA has given the trait to Tracy Porter and David Tyree in the past for the same reason). But where's Jermaine Kearse, who has caught the game-winning touchdown in the fourth quarter and overtime of consecutive NFC championship games?
Arguments could easily be made for players like Aaron Rodgers, Rob Gronkowski, Richard Sherman, Dez Bryant, Antonio Brown, Justin Houston, Kam Chancellor, Matt Ryan, Philip Rivers and even Odell Beckham Jr. over some of those currently included. There is no trait for defensive lineman, which is why you won't see the likes of J.J. Watt on the list. It's probably time for EA Sports to do a complete reevaluation of who should be in the exclusive class of "Clutch" players.
The glaring name in the group, however, is Jameis Winston, who is either there simply by mistake, or was flipped on by the person who handled creation of the roster (and who is a Buccaneers fan) prior to leaving the company earlier in the summer. Every player with the "Clutch" trait besides Winston has appeared in the playoffs, obviously, while Winston hasn't even taken a single regular-season snap. Look for this oversight to be fixed in the game's next roster update.
Bryan Wiedey posts sports gaming news and analysis daily at Pastapadre.com, has co-founded the new site HitThePass.com, is a regular participant in the Press Row Podcast, and can be reached on Twitter @Pastapadre.