Handicapping the Madden ‘10 Cover

By Jason Branch
JACK OF ALL SPORTS

Could Arizona WR Larry Fitzgerald be on the '10 Cover? (Photo by Joseph Coleman)

So I was chillin’ with Dr. Sportsfan on a sunny Saturday afternoon in front of the TV awaiting the tip of UConn and Missouri, and next thing you know we started talking football — far more productive and interesting than listening to Greg Gumbel and his windbag sidekick Seth Davis do the pregame show — and the topic of the next Madden cover came up. As we approach the NFL draft, we’re that much closer to the time of year where thousands will line up outside the electronics and gaming stores to be the first to own Madden 2010.

There is always speculation about who will be on the cover, so yours truly, “Jack,” has gone through who I think are potentially in the running to grace the cover of EA Sports’ most successful gaming franchise this year, and organized them into a fan-friendly format that sports fans everywhere can appreciate — handicapped for betting purposes. After all, where would sports be today without the odds-makers handicapping seemingly the most random things — such as the length of Billy Joel’s rendition of the Star Spangled Banner before the Super Bowl a few years back?

Anyway, let’s get to the list.

WON’T BE THIS YEAR, BUT WHY HAVEN’T THEY MADE IT YET??

Tom Brady — 25/1

This isn’t his year, as he’s coming off injury — and only played one half of football last season — but he’s Tom Brady.  He will make a cover eventually, and for that reason alone, he has to be in this conversation, even if it’s only as a footnote. I would actually give Gisele better odds this season than Tom to make the cover. Imagine how many more copies of Madden 2010 would be sold if this happened. In a time of a weak economy, maybe EA Sports would be wise to think outside the box to sustain sales of its flagship game.

Peyton Manning — 20/1

Last year wasn’t his finest with the decline of Marvin Harrison, no running game, and the final season of Coach Dungy. Yet the Colts still rallied after a sluggish start to finish 12-4 and make the playoffs. Manning is a veteran player, a Superbowl MVP, and a household name, so his time will surely come. It’s a super long-shot this year, but he gets slightly better odds than Brady because he played the whole season.

WATERBOYS

James Harrison — 15/1

Defensive player of the year last year makes him sixth in line on our board among actual NFL players. Impressive accomplishment for someone who hasn’t been in the spotlight for long, but he’s not yet a household name and likely only the third choice at EA Sports among defensive players.

Tony Romo — 10/1

Last year was certainly not one of his best, (with the physical and mental toll his body went through — and T.O.). But he’s still one of the faces of the NFL outside the realm of sports, mainly because of Jessica Simpson.

Jessica Simpson — 9/1

Speaking of Joe Simpson’s wisest investment! Why higher than Romo, you ask? Well first off, she’s a lot more attractive to look at. Secondly, she hasn’t gone 0-2 in the playoffs since rising to stardom, nor did she light it up with a 55.8 QB rating in a virtual playoff game against the Eagles in Week 17 last year. Oh yeah, the ‘Boys lost the game, 44-6, and their season.

THE CONTENDERS

Troy Polamalu — 7/1

Right now, he’s the second-most-feared defensive player in the NFL (behind Ed Reed). Polamalu and Reed are very close in the fear they inflict upon opposing players and talent, but Reed had better numbers and a few more highlight-reel hits last year. But Reed doesn’t have Polamalu’s, well, let’s just say, interesting hairdo, which potentially hurts his candidacy for Madden “cover-boy.” If EA Sports goes for defense and does decide to pass on Reed, then Polamalu just may be the choice. He gets slightly worse odds than his teammate below because EA Sports historically favors offense over defense for the cover.

Ben Roethlisberger — 6/1

Yeah, I had to check online to make sure I spelled his name right. Don’t want to be the internet version of that dude on the Southwest Airlines commercial who couldn’t pronounce the last name of that European basketball player right and “wanted to get away.”

(You’re welcome, Southwest, for the free pub.)

Anyway, he isn’t the flashiest player in the NFL — and probably isn’t as well known outside of sports except for the motorcycle incident a few years back — but he’s got two rings and terrific numbers in his young career. Fresh off leading his team to Super Bowl glory on a game-winning drive, he is a logical choice here as a dark-horse candidate and not a bad sleeper bet at 6-to-1 odds.

Adrian Peterson — 3/1

Let’s face it, offense is still where most of the glitz and glamour is in the NFL, and this kid has simply torn it up in his first two seasons. All-Day won the rushing title last year, finished second in rushing in his rookie campaign, and set the single-game rushing mark with 296 yards on the ground against the man he took the NFL’s Best Running Back title from, LaDanian Tomlinson. Peterson’s resume is, however, lacking because he failed to advance his team in the playoffs, even if it wasn’t his fault (Tavaris Jackson, I’m looking at you). AP’s time will surely come. Call him the clubhouse leader for ‘11.

Ed Reed — 3/2

Is there a more dominant and more feared player on defense? Ed Reed is the premier defensive star right now, and if the folks at EA Sports decide to show some love for defense this season, he is the obvious choice. EA Sports typically favors veterans over younger players, which makes Reed a very, very close runner-up for the ‘10 crown.

THE FAVORITE

Larry Fitzgerald — 1/1

Fitz was a man this season. At 6-foot-3 with a ripped body, he was virtually uncoverable and single-handedly almost led the underdog Cards to Super Bowl victory.  He is simply the best wide receiver in football right now, and should be for many years to come.  A wideout has never been on the cover, and only one defensive player has been on the cover since Madden started putting players on the cover in 2001. It’s a safe bet EA Sports will go with offense, and with that, tab the most dynamic offensive player in the game right now.

Besides, he’d make for an awesome cover leaping up for a catch with his frame.

So there you have it, my top 10 candidates to grace the cover of Madden 2010. Based on players to be on the cover in the past, and recent NFL history, the aforementioned players should have the highest probability of making the cover. As always, things like this are very much up for debate by you, the Fan, and your comments are welcome below.

Personally, although there is absolutely no chance at this happening, I will hold out hope that Gisele can somehow become worthy of better than 25/1 odds and become a top contender. Having Jessica Simpson make the cover would simply be degrading to football fans everywhere, and I, for one, can’t root for that unless EA Sports were to publically declare that it did so only to show up Romo.

If EA Sports were to go that route, they should use Carrie Underwood. She’s a lot hotter anyway and probably has triple Jessica’s IQ.

Not that that matters or anything…