Madden 15 Screenshot Features C.J. Mosley Staring Down Steeler
I don't know how a simple Madden 15 screenshot can get me pumped for the start of the season, but it does.
It's June, football is shut down until training camp, and it just does.
With 57 days until the popular video game's newest version is released, EA Sports unveiled a screenshot of Ravens top draft pick C.J. Mosley staring down Steelers wide receiver Lance Moore after what appears to be a play that Mosley was on lockdown. (Mobile users tap "View in browser" to check it out.)
This would mark Mosley's first NFL video game appearance, and it didn't go unnoticed by the 22-year-old, who retweeted the shot. Mosley was one of just two rookies featured by EA Sports, with the other naturally being Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel.
The level of graphical detail is stunning, as you glance through the glare in Mosley's facemask visor to see the whites of his eyes and piercing pupils.
This was one of 26 new stills that EA released Monday, highlighting several divisional rivalry matchups. The company also revealed the image below of the Ravens playing the Steelers at Heinz Field with quarterback Joe Flacco under center and wide receiver Torrey Smith lined up out wide.
The Ravens are scheduled to play in Pittsburgh in front of the nation on Nov. 2 during NBC's primetime Sunday Night Football game. Prior to that, they will clash at M&T Bank Stadium for their Week 2 Thursday night primetime matchup on CBS.
And there's a more-than-decent chance Mosley will be the starting linebacker next to Daryl Smith, which would mean he'll have plenty of opportunities to make this virtual screenshot a reality.
Asked at the end of offseason camps whether he felt he was on track to start Week 1, Mosley said, "Yes, sir."
NFL Bans Non-Standard Facemasks
Say goodbye to the Bain-like facemasks.
That may mean anything resembling the intimidating grills that Ray Lewis, Terrell Suggs and Chris Canty have donned can no longer be worn.
NFL Executive Vice President Of Football Operations Troy Vincent sent out a league memo stating the NFL will prohibit the use of non-standard/overbuilt facemasks for the 2014 season, according to NFL.com.
The reason for the ban, the memo explained, is safety concerns.
Research from the National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment found non-standard facemasks more frequently fail safety and certification tests and aren't up to NFL safety standards. Per the memo, the added weight of elaborate masks affects the structure of the helmet, can cause neck fatigue that could lead to a more head-down posture during contact and can provide a false sense of security during tackling.
Among the prohibited facemask characteristics are "more bars, smaller spaces between the bars, and a generally larger coverage area," Vincent wrote in the memo. NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported that four players in 2013 wore what would now be considered an illegal facemask in the future.
The four players were not identified. The NFL cracked down on some of the elaborate facemasks last season, but Canty was granted permission to wear his because it's additional protection for an eye injury he suffered earlier in his career.
Banned facemasks will resemble those pictured below.
Vonta Leach Not Retiring
Three-time Pro Bowl selection and Ravens three-year starting fullback Vonta Leach hasn't signed with a team in 2014, but he still hopes to find work and has no plans for retirement.
Leach, 32, was released by the Ravens earlier this offseason, moving forward with second-year player Kyle Juszczyk.
During a fundraiser in North Carolina, Leach told a reporter that he thinks he might find an opportunity during training camp. He has played 10 NFL seasons.
"It's never easy going through free agency," Leach told the Robesonian. "It's just a waiting game. I probably won’t sign with a team until training camp."
Anthony Allen Goes Off In CFL Debut
Former Ravens running back and seventh-round pick Anthony Allen got off to a crazy good start in the Canadian Football League.
Playing for the Saskatchewan Roughriders, Allen churned out 176 total yards of offense and three touchdowns in a 31-10 victory over Hamilton last weekend.
Allen's last NFL game was Super Bowl XLVII, serving as a lead blocker for kicker returner Jacoby Jones. He was cut by the Ravens last August, and then released by the Buffalo Bills in January.
"I'm a little surprised that he hasn't been able to latch on with another organization in the NFL as he was a pretty solid special teams player," wrote The Baltimore Sun's Jeff Zrebiec. "Perhaps, his performance over the weekend is the start of him getting back to the NFL."
Quick Hits
- @mosley32rtr: Just paying my respects to the best LB to come from bama! Thank you for paving the way and showing me were greatness and blessings will get you! #55 #DerrickThomas #RTR #RIP [Instagram]
- @_showtime33 [Terrence Brooks]: Very High Expectations #Finesse Time to eat @walknhitstick26 [Matt Elam] [Instagram]
- @jtuck9: Pretty cool playing football w/ Cordelia the Giant Pacific Octopus! @NationalAquarium #tentacleswag [Instagram]
- @JuiceCheck44: Thank you to all the kids that came out to participate in the inaugural Juice's Future All-Stars Camp! Great turnout and great hustle today! [Twitter]
- @TorreySmithWR: I still get mad when I see clips from the Pats game in 2012 [Twitter]
- @ChrisCanty99: Awesome start to the Camp of Champions! Great effort from all of the campers today. [Twitter]
