UPDATE: Madden '08
 There it is... The cover of Madden 08 for the XBOX 360. I'm still not 100% sure that this is the actual cover that will be getting released. It is however the picture EA Sports and IGN are using for now. The picture actually doesn't look like a picture at all, it actually looks like a painting. But maybe with the way people are about photoshop these days, it may have just been "touched up" a bunch. Also the background is quite plain. I'm not sure if they would go for the plain white background. Anyway, the cover is not what matters. What matters is the game itself, which comes to stores August 12th.
Now, for the real story; The Curse.
(stories from SI.com)
Madden 07 - Shaun Alexander
Alexander set the NFL record for touchdowns (28 -- since broken) and led the Seahawks to the Super Bowl in 2005. He fractured his foot in 2006 and ran for just 896 yards and seven touchdowns in 10 games.
Madden 06 - Donovan McNabb
McNabb led the Eagles to the Super Bowl in 2004, but 2005 was a complete disaster. He had multiple injuries, including a sports hernia that finally ended his season after nine games. And he had to deal with the incredible distraction of Terrell Owens, who turned on his quarterback and the organization.
Madden 2005 - Ray Lewis
After a dominant campaign in 2003, Lewis had a so-so season in '04 and the Ravens failed to make the playoffs for the first time in four years. Lewis also got hurt and missed the final game of the year.
Madden 2004 - Michael Vick
Right after Madden '04 became available, Vick broke his leg in a preseason game and didn't return until there were just five games left in the season. The injury spurred a serious debate about the necessity of the preseason and the Madden jinx was suddenly being discussed everywhere.
Madden 2003 - Marshall Faulk
Faulk and the Rams offense was dominant in 2001, but a nagging ankle injury slowed the All-Pro back and St. Louis' offense suddenly became less dangerous. Faulk ran for just 953 yards in 14 games and the Rams went from 14-2 in '01 to 7-9 in '02.
Madden 2002 - Daunte Culpepper
After a great 2000 season, Culpepper struggled in 2001. He threw 14 touchdowns and 13 interceptions before hurting his knee in Week 13 and sitting out the rest of the season.
Madden 2001 - Eddie George
George is an anomaly in this gallery, because he did have a good year in 2000 (1,509 yards and 14 TDs), but his team did fall off a bit. After reaching the Super Bowl in 1999, the Titans fell to the Ravens in the divisional playoffs and George's career slowly unraveled after that year.
Madden 2000 - Barry Sanders
If you look closely, you can see Sanders in the background. The electric Lions running back started the Madden jinx by announcing his retirement before the 1999 season and never returning to the NFL.Labels: Barry Sanders, Daunte Culpepper, Donovan McNabb, Eddie George, Madden 08, Marshall Faulk, Micheal Vick, NFL, Ray Lewis, Shaun Alexander, Vince Young |
