Tyreek Hill says he plays Madden instead of watching film before games

Every player prepares in their own way, but almost all of them watch film. However, Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill isn’t afraid to break the mold.

“I feel like Madden has a good tell of how good players are, so I just play Madden the night before and I go look at all their ratings,” Hill said on Thursday, per Ari Meirov. “Let’s say, for instance, they had Steve Nelson and Derek Stingley over there — two phenomenal players by the way — I just go get on Madden. I go to the EA rosters. Then, I scroll down and I see what their awareness, speed and strength is, and that’s how I get a good tell on them.”

Does this seem like a horrible idea? Yes. Can you argue with Hill’s results? No. Hill posted a career-high 1,710 receiving yards last season, trailing only Minnesota Vikings wideout Justin Jefferson. It was the first time in Hill’s career he averaged over 100 receiving yards per game.

Although the 5-foot-9 wide receiver broke personal records last year, his dominance is nothing new. Hill has five seasons of 1,000+ receiving yards. For his efforts, he has made the Pro Bowl all seven seasons of his career. Further, he is a four-time all-pro and former Super Bowl champion.

After an unbelievable first campaign with the Dolphins, Tyreek Hill has his eyes set on 2,000 receiving yards this season, and he knows how he can reach his lofty goal.

“For me, not getting injured, coming in each and every day wanting to get better, wanting to be coached,” Hill said. “And I feel like I’ve got the right tools around me.

“I’ve got obviously the most accurate quarterback in the NFL, I’ve got one of the best head coaches in the NFL, and also my position coach is a monster also. So just having those three things and me just keeping the same mindset each and every day that I want to get better and I want to break the record, and I do want to break the record. So I feel like this is one of those years that I can achieve it.”

No receiver in NFL history has ever recorded 2,000 receiving yards in a season. The closest a player came was Calvin Johnson in 2012 when the Detroit Lions legend posted 1,964 receiving yards. Nonetheless, to reach an unimaginable goal, you must employ unfathomable methods. By that standard, Hill is on the right track.