Posted on Tue Sep 09, 2008 at 01:53:18 PM EST in NFL
More on: Tom Brady, Madden, NFL, video games (all tags)

If not for John Madden being in love with Brett Favre, this is the madden cover that should have been released this year. And it would have been perfect for the Madden Curse.

Source: Operation Sports

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Posted on Mon Apr 16, 2007 at 12:35:33 PM EST in NFL
More on: Dolphins, Madden, Daunte Culpepper (all tags)

Most Madden cover lasts a year or so. Daunte Culpepper's strain (2002 cover) is the first to make a reappearance after a few years off. For someone that arguably was the league MVP in 2004 if not for Peyton Manning, Culpepper's career has just absolutely deteriorated in the past couple of years.

It wasn't bad enough that he lost his starting job to Joey Harrington last year, this year he just might lose his job entirely -- to Trent Green of all people. Rumors are swirling that the Dolphins will try to trade Culpepper but in all likelihood will release him to save $5.5M in base salary and cap money.

The Dolphins surely regret taking a chance on his surgically repaired knee last year (over Drew Brees and costing a 2nd round draft pick) and won't take the chance that he's not healthy going into training camp.

Don't feel too bad for Daunte though, there's always someone willing to take a chance on a veteran QB and we suspect that someone might be Al Davis.

Links:
[Miami Herald]: Another QB scramble for Dolphins

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Posted on Fri Apr 06, 2007 at 10:50:43 AM EST in NFL
More on: Madden, video games, Bears (all tags)

From our friends over at WBRS sports comes this little tidbit for all you Madden heads. Devin Hester will get a perfect 100 rating in the speed category in Madden 08. No one has ever gotten this before. Not DeAngelo Hall, not Michael Bennett, not Champ Bailey, not even Deion.

That's just about the best thing you could have told me," Hester said with a huge smile, when informed of his new Speed rating. "It's an honor -- I don't know what to say, really.

Considering all the time that NFL players spend playing Madden, we're sure he's completely sincere. (It certainly beats being Ethan Albright.) Hester is probably hoping though that he doesn't make the cover of Madden 08 so he can avoid the curse. Our money says that Peyton Manning will be on the new cover of '08.

By the way, we found this great website of custom Madden covers that you can download and print. What a great way to jinx your most hated team.

Links:
[WBRS Sports]: As Fast As Tecmo Bo?

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Posted on Tue Dec 05, 2006 at 02:26:33 PM EST in Other Sports
More on: video games, football, Madden, Heisman Award, sports history (all tags)

In 1983: As a very prehistoric precursor to the John Madden video game franchise, the NFL introduced its first video arcade game, the creatively titled “NFL Football.” Madden it sure as heck wasn’'t, as there were very few features. In fact, the game’s creators were banking that the kids pumping their quarters in didn’'t mind being the Raiders and the Chargers all the time, because that’s all they were getting. After the play was selected, it showed the play using actual footage from a real NFL game between those two teams. Also, there was no dynasty mode or anything cool (like you could be Marcus Allen and bang OJ Simpson’s wife or Dan Fouts and be really fucking annoying on the air). Unfortunately, the game didn’'t do very well (there was a second edition with Redskins-Cowboys) and production was halted in 1984. (www.klov.com)

In 1981: Speaking of Marcus Allen, football’s most beloved adulterer won the Heisman Trophy as a tailback at USC, edging out Georgia sophomore Herschel Walker in a close vote. Allen was the fourth USC running back to win the Heisman (hey, OJ won one too...Maybe you own it!) but was the only Trojan to rush for over 2,000 yards in a season. He was also the first player to run for over 200 yards in four straight games. Allen was drafted by the Raiders in 1982, and he went on to have a hall of fame career and won a Super Bowl MVP in 1984.

In 1982: Herschel Walker finally got his due by winning the Heisman Trophy as a junior, easily outdistancing Stanford‘s John Elway (Dan Marino finished 9th, way behind Tony Eason). Many felt that Walker should have won in his freshman year, when he ran for over 1,600 yards, 15 touchdowns and outclassed George Rogers, South Carolina’s Heisman winner that year, in a key Bulldog’s victory. Only a bias against underclassmen kept Walker from possibly winning an unprecedented three straight awards. Had Walker stayed in Athens for his senior year, he probably would still hold all Division I-A rushing records, as he had over 5,000 yards and 50 career touchdowns with a whopping 5.3 yards per carry in only three seasons. He decided it would be a better idea to try and commit career suicide, however, and he went to the USFL’s New Jersey Generals for three years. (heisman.com)

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Posted on Fri Oct 13, 2006 at 12:16:51 PM EST in NFL
More on: funny, Redskins, Madden (all tags)

Do you know who Ethan Albright is? Neither did we until this hilarious mock letter from the folks at the Phat Phree, mostly known for their take on stripe-shirted douchebags. It's a must read.

To: John Madden
CC: Electronic Arts Sports
From: Ethan Albright
Re: Being the worst rated player on Madden `07

Hi, John, my name is Ethan Albright. I play line for the Washington Redskins. You probably already knew that, so I'll continue. I am writing in regards to the overall player rating of 53 that I have received in Madden NFL Football 2007. I feel that this is fucking bullshit and you should kiss my mother-fucking ass. Ahmed Carroll was rated a 78 and the Packers just cut his ass on a Tuesday morning after his performance in a Monday night game. That is pretty terrible. The worst part is that his overall rating was sniffing 80.

You know what, John? Two can play this game. I rate you a fucking 12. I rate you a fucking 12 in Ethan Albright Football 2000-ever... except for in the category of ball-licking. That is where I will spot you a 98 rating. You will receive this score because I will never give your blubbery ass a 99 in any category. Take that, pencil-dick. Go do Al Micheals or something. Boom. Score one for Red Beard.

Here's the best part, because you would actually have to do some research to be able to come up with it:

John, you are such a fucking dick. I also noticed that my kick return rating was a 0. I was rated a fucking zero? So you feel that I shouldn't even receive a 10, or even a 5? You are pretty much saying that I couldn't even fall forward on a ball kicked in my direction. I would just stand there and let the ball bounce off of my fucking face. Fuck that, John, I returned an onside kick 6 yards in 2002. You should have just slapped a - 4 on me and had the EA staff ambush me with paintball guns.

Brilliant.

Links:
[The Phat Phree]: Ethan Albright Strikes Back

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Posted on Mon Sep 25, 2006 at 06:39:11 PM EST in NFL
More on: Madden, Seahawks (all tags)

When EA Sports announced that Shaun Alexander would be on the cover of Madden 2007, we knew it was only a matter of time before a major injury hit Alexander. Well, that time is now. The Seahawks announced that Alexander will be out indefinitely with a broken bone in his left foot. Mike Holmgren revealed that Alexander broke the bone sometime in the game against the New York Giants.

Time to update the Madden cover jinx hit list.

• 2001 Eddie George: His jinx took a year to kick in but his rushing production went from 1509 yards to 939 the year after appearing on the cover.
• 2002 Daunte Culpepper: Daunte went from fantasy stud (33 TDs and 3937 yards) to fantasy dud (14 TDs and 2612 yards) and finally succumbed to a knee injury.
• 2003 Marshall Faulk: Total production went from 2147 to 1490 all purpose yards, a 44% decrease. The Rams went from Super Bowl runner up to 7-9.
• 2004 Michael Vick: Broke his ankle in a preseason game. The quickest jinx in Madden history.
• 2005 Ray Lewis: Ray Lewis avoids the cover jinx... because he was just standing there.. didn't see a thing. Nope. Didn't see a thing.
• 2006 Donovan McNabb: DMac got into a highly publicized feud with Terrell Owens and then had his season cut short by a sports hernia.
• 2007 Shaun Alexander: Breaks bone in left foot in the third game of the season.

Links:
[MSNBC]: Alexander out indefinitely with broken foot

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Posted on Wed Aug 23, 2006 at 12:30:14 PM EST in NFL
More on: NFL Power Rankings, Madden, video games (all tags)

People (ok.. we) have been known to use Madden to simulate games for predictive/gambling purposes. It never really works but it's kind of fun to do anyway. Well, the folks at Tecmo Blog have taken things waaaaaay too far and ranked all 32 teams according to their Madden 07 ratings for players.

You can read their methodology and comments here but here is the quick list. This list does bring up the question of how good can Madden rankings be if they have the Titans ranked above the Patriots and the Eagles? Also, is it acceptable to play with a team other than your own just because your team sucks in Madden? We say no.

Madden 07 Team Rankings
1. Steelers
2. Seahawks
3. Colts
4. Giants
5. Chiefs
6. Chargers
7. Falcons
8. Panthers
9. Bengals
10. Cardinals
11. Redskins
12. Dolphins
13. Broncos
14. Titans
15. Patriots
16. Eagles
17. Saints
18. Packers
19. Rams
20. Cowboys
21. Raiders
22. Ravens
23. Texans
24. Buccaneers
25. Bears
26. Jaguars
27. Vikings
28. Browns
29. Bills
30. Jets
31. Lions
32. 49ers

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Posted on Tue Aug 22, 2006 at 04:26:28 PM EST in NFL
More on: video games, Madden (all tags)

Well, here it is kids, launch day for Madden 2007. We don't even have an xbox 360 and we're salivating over the screenshots. By all accounts, Madden 2007 for the xbox 360 is a giant leap over last year's rushed release. It looks like Madden 2007 will guarantee two things: increase in xbox 360 sales and a season ending injury for Shaun Alexander (sorry Fantasy owners).

Here are a bunch of articles if you're still wondering whether to buy it or not. (Of course you're going to buy it.)

[IGN]: Madden NFL 07 Review

[EA Sports]: Official Madden Site

[XBOX.com]: Madden 2007 Page

[SI]: Madden 07 Review

[Game Zone]: Madden 07 Review

[Team Xbox]: Madden 07 Review

[QJ.net]: Residents of Madden, MS create a holiday and get free xbox 360s

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Posted on Wed Apr 26, 2006 at 02:48:32 PM EST in Other Sports
More on: Odds and Ends, soccer, Matt Leinart, Madden (all tags)

Is it just us or are a disproportionate amount of soccer stories tinged with homoeroticism? NTTAWWT... In Brazil, a coach was suspended for 60 days for saying that a referee was flirting with him.

He was flirting with me. He blew his whistle and looked at me with every decision he made....Maybe it was because of my pink shirt."

Probably not the best idea to imply that a ref is gay. Blind is ok. Gay is not.

In other news...

[Denver Post]: Kenyon Martin suspended for sitting out the 2nd half of Monday's game without injury.

[TrojanWire]: Matt Leinart is already setting himself up to be the 2009 Madden cover jinx.

[The Hater Nation]: Why Kobe chose new jersey number

[CBS Sportsline]: Shocking! Man behind Reggie Bush house scandal has shady past.

[SI]: Well, there goes SI.com's credibility -- Jenn Sterger (you know the FSU ho-or... er... cowgirl) has a column.

[Columbus Dispatch]: This is what happens when you don't supply strippers to lacrosse teams -- they start sticking fingers up players' rectums. Damn near killed him.

Real Odd of the Day: 9-5 that Lynn Swann is elected governor of Pennsylvania

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Posted on Fri Apr 21, 2006 at 02:19:16 PM EST in NFL
More on: Madden, video games, EA Sports, Seahawks, football, NFL (all tags)

EA Sports announced that Shaun Alexander, the Seattle Seahawks $62M man is going to be on the cover of Madden 2007. Seattle fans and Mike Holmgren are already cursing EA but Shaun is just happy to collect the big endorsement check.

To be on the cover of Madden NFL 07 is a big milestone in my career since I have always been a huge fan of this franchise. EA SPORTS is focusing on the running game in this year's version, so I was honored when I was chosen to be on the cover to represent the improved running game.

We'll see what Alexander has to say when he becomes the latest victim of the Madden cover jinx. Here's the easiest Fantasy Football advice you're going to get: DO NOT take Shaun Alexander with your first round pick.

Oh, the jinx is very real folks. I wouldn't be surprised if the Vegas odds for Seattle winning the Super Bowl just dropped in half. Here's a rundown of covers and actual performance since Eddie George in 2001.

• 2001 Eddie George: His jinx took a year to kick in but his rushing production went from 1509 yards to 939 the year after appearing on the cover.
• 2002 Daunte Culpepper: Daunte went from fantasy stud (33 TDs and 3937 yards) to fantasy dud (14 TDs and 2612 yards) and finally succumbed to a knee injury.
• 2003 Marshall Faulk: Total production went from 2147 to 1490 all purpose yards, a 44% decrease. The Rams went from Super Bowl runner up to 7-9.
• 2004 Michael Vick: Broke his ankle in a preseason game. The quickest jinx in Madden history.
• 2005 Ray Lewis: Ray Lewis avoids the cover jinx... because he was just standing there.. didn't see a thing. Nope. Didn't see a thing.
• 2006 Donovan McNabb: DMac got into a highly publicized feud with Terrell Owens and then had his season cut short by a sports hernia.

So what's in store for Shaun Alexander? Here are the official SC odds:

• 5-1 Torn ACL or MCL
  
• 4-1 Ankle injury
  
• 3-1 Sharp decline in production
  
• 20-1 Broken ankle on horse collar tackle
  
• 50-1 no injury
  
• 100-1 Breaks hand while washing his truck
  

Links:
[Video Game Generation]: Seahawks MVP Shaun Alexandar Soars on Madden NFL 07 Cover

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