Eli Manning Madden 09 cover rumor

by pastapadre
Posted February 19th, 2008 at 6:52 am

Eli Manning Madden

Following the Super Bowl I wrote an article about how Eli Manning had propelled himself into consideration for the cover of Madden 09. Being that it was just a couple hours after the game ended that was just pure speculation on my part. However now there is buzz going around that not only is he at the top of the list, but that he is actually in negotiation and appears to be EA’s top choice for 09.

The problem with this is the basis of the rumor comes from a random forum post on an obscure Madden fan site. That was picked up on by Deadspin which wrote an article on the topic. Those two things were then cited along with my article in a Yahoo Sports blog. The blog posting has now reached the front page of Yahoo which is huge. Unfortunately it is probably without merit as it’s simply speculative and has a reliance on a random forum poster who almost certainly made the story up. However the blog does a good job of representing how the mainstream views Manning completely differently now than just a two months ago.

It is something to follow regardless. Manning is now at the point where the thought of him being the cover athlete is accepted. To break through from “no chance” to “makes sense” in such a short period of time was definitely unexpected. It wouldn’t be surprising to find out that EA had a few favorites in their sights but given the events Manning entered the picture and changed who their top target ultimately would be. Unless there is some sort of leak it’s unlikely we’ll find out who ends up on the cover until at least mid-April.

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agent k

23 TDs 74 passer rating lets just say that I am not buying Madden 09 this year. I think I will manually update Madden 08 with CAPs and buy NBA 2k9.
agent k

23 TDs 74 passer rating lets just say that I am not buying Madden 09 this year. I think I will manually update Madden 08 with CAPs and buy NBA 2k9.
Elmira Express

[quote comment="13771"]23 TDs 74 passer rating lets just say that I am not buying Madden 09 this year. I think I will manually update Madden 08 with CAPs and buy NBA 2k9.[/quote]

I agree with you. He had 4 good/great games in a row and people want to put him on the cover. It was a great run by Eli and the Giants but it was only 4 games. I think they should Adrian Peterson, or Brian Westbrook should be on the cover.
Elmira Express

[quote comment="13771"]23 TDs 74 passer rating lets just say that I am not buying Madden 09 this year. I think I will manually update Madden 08 with CAPs and buy NBA 2k9.[/quote]

I agree with you. He had 4 good/great games in a row and people want to put him on the cover. It was a great run by Eli and the Giants but it was only 4 games. I think they should Adrian Peterson, or Brian Westbrook should be on the cover.
Elmira Express

What I meant to say is I think they should put Adrian Peterson , or Brian Westbrook on the cover.
Elmira Express

What I meant to say is I think they should put Adrian Peterson , or Brian Westbrook on the cover.
Mr James

To me, using Eli Manning is a risk. He had an outstanding playoff run but you really never know, it was only a few games. I guess when you think about it, he cant be any worse than Young, Alexander, Mcnabb, Culpepper or Eddie George.

Tomilson? Brady? Manning? Peterson? Romo? Favre?
Mr James

To me, using Eli Manning is a risk. He had an outstanding playoff run but you really never know, it was only a few games. I guess when you think about it, he cant be any worse than Young, Alexander, Mcnabb, Culpepper or Eddie George.

Tomilson? Brady? Manning? Peterson? Romo? Favre?
STOL

HEY AGENT K, YOU LEFT OFF SUPER BOWL MVP!
AND WORLD CHAMPION, YOU SOUR PUSS!
STOL

HEY AGENT K, YOU LEFT OFF SUPER BOWL MVP!
AND WORLD CHAMPION, YOU SOUR PUSS!
Tony

I like it…Hes hot, so why not. Whats to lose
Tony

I like it…Hes hot, so why not. Whats to lose
http://www.zshare.net/download/6518525cdd035a/ shoeprint

Funny… Call of Duty 4 it is! He will most def be a Madden Curse, What about Brady?
http://www.zshare.net/download/6518525cdd035a/ shoeprint

Funny… Call of Duty 4 it is! He will most def be a Madden Curse, What about Brady?
Rico

The first time in Madden history that someone comes on the cover already with the Madden curse.
Rico

The first time in Madden history that someone comes on the cover already with the Madden curse.
Mark

Since Eli could be on the cover and the Giants came out of nowhere to surprise us, does this mean Madden might come out of nowhere and actually be a good game? hmmm…. nevermind…….
Mark

Since Eli could be on the cover and the Giants came out of nowhere to surprise us, does this mean Madden might come out of nowhere and actually be a good game? hmmm…. nevermind…….
Tomba321

Eli manning might just be the cover guy that sees the game with the least amount of change
Tomba321

Eli manning might just be the cover guy that sees the game with the least amount of change
http://maddengods.org/ Dave

I doubt he makes the cover either, but he does play in a huge market and his fame and marketability is at an all time high right now
http://maddengods.org Dave

I doubt he makes the cover either, but he does play in a huge market and his fame and marketability is at an all time high right now
http://www.zshare.net/download/6518525cdd035a/ shoeprint

[quote comment="13779"]The first time in Madden history that someone comes on the cover already with the Madden curse.[/quote]

his rating will be 84… yeah he is a legend, and so is trent dilfer. Why aint he get on the cover? He won it all… Ah yes, the defense… In that case, put the Giants D on the cover
http://www.zshare.net/download/6518525cdd035a/ shoeprint

[quote comment="13779"]The first time in Madden history that someone comes on the cover already with the Madden curse.[/quote]

his rating will be 84… yeah he is a legend, and so is trent dilfer. Why aint he get on the cover? He won it all… Ah yes, the defense… In that case, put the Giants D on the cover
Bob

to compare eli’s playoff and superbowl performances with trent dilfer’s is just dumb. you just don’t like eli manning. that doesn’t mean he didnt own all ass in the playoffs. i love eli but i don’ think he should be on the cover either.
Bob

to compare eli’s playoff and superbowl performances with trent dilfer’s is just dumb. you just don’t like eli manning. that doesn’t mean he didnt own all ass in the playoffs. i love eli but i don’ think he should be on the cover either.
Eski

It doesn’t really matter who they put on the cover, it matters more what they put inside of it.

However, if EA wants to go classic put Archie Manning on the cover. Great NFL legend with two sons who were SB MVPs (in consecutive years, mind you).
Eski

It doesn’t really matter who they put on the cover, it matters more what they put inside of it.

However, if EA wants to go classic put Archie Manning on the cover. Great NFL legend with two sons who were SB MVPs (in consecutive years, mind you).
Sammyboy

[quote comment="13773"][quote comment="13771"]23 TDs 74 passer rating lets just say that I am not buying Madden 09 this year. I think I will manually update Madden 08 with CAPs and buy NBA 2k9.[/quote]

I agree with you. He had 4 good/great games in a row and people want to put him on the cover. It was a great run by Eli and the Giants but it was only 4 games. I think they should Adrian Peterson, or Brian Westbrook should be on the cover.[/quote]

I also agree, I mean honestly, him being on the cover takes so much away from the gameplay. The game with him on the cover is virtually unplayable.
Sammyboy

[quote comment="13773"][quote comment="13771"]23 TDs 74 passer rating lets just say that I am not buying Madden 09 this year. I think I will manually update Madden 08 with CAPs and buy NBA 2k9.[/quote]

I agree with you. He had 4 good/great games in a row and people want to put him on the cover. It was a great run by Eli and the Giants but it was only 4 games. I think they should Adrian Peterson, or Brian Westbrook should be on the cover.[/quote]

I also agree, I mean honestly, him being on the cover takes so much away from the gameplay. The game with him on the cover is virtually unplayable.
ncthompson11

pasta do you think this means they will be working on the passing game in this years game for the AI and human?
ncthompson11

pasta do you think this means they will be working on the passing game in this years game for the AI and human?
Darkheath

Don’t put Adrian Peterson on the cover!!! (Well… unless it’s that AP on the Bears…)

Really now… they just need to put John Madden on the cover and leave the players alone.
Darkheath

Don’t put Adrian Peterson on the cover!!! (Well… unless it’s that AP on the Bears…)

Really now… they just need to put John Madden on the cover and leave the players alone.
http://www.pastapadre.com/ pastapadre

[quote comment="13802"]pasta do you think this means they will be working on the passing game in this years game for the AI and human?[/quote]

I think they’ve gone away from choosing a cover guy as a represenation of the features or improvements.
http://www.pastapadre.com pastapadre

[quote comment="13802"]pasta do you think this means they will be working on the passing game in this years game for the AI and human?[/quote]

I think they’ve gone away from choosing a cover guy as a represenation of the features or improvements.
Eski

[quote comment="13796"][quote comment="13773"][quote comment="13771"]23 TDs 74 passer rating lets just say that I am not buying Madden 09 this year. I think I will manually update Madden 08 with CAPs and buy NBA 2k9.[/quote]

I agree with you. He had 4 good/great games in a row and people want to put him on the cover. It was a great run by Eli and the Giants but it was only 4 games. I think they should Adrian Peterson, or Brian Westbrook should be on the cover.[/quote]

I also agree, I mean honestly, him being on the cover takes so much away from the gameplay. The game with him on the cover is virtually unplayable.[/quote]

Since when has a cover impacted the gameplay? Yes, in recent years EA has focused on certain elements but the cover has zero to do with the game.

The entire issue of who is on the cover is complete minusha. Put Brian Bosworth or Eric Hipple on the cover, if the game plays well I COULD CARE LESS!!!
Eski

[quote comment="13796"][quote comment="13773"][quote comment="13771"]23 TDs 74 passer rating lets just say that I am not buying Madden 09 this year. I think I will manually update Madden 08 with CAPs and buy NBA 2k9.[/quote]

I agree with you. He had 4 good/great games in a row and people want to put him on the cover. It was a great run by Eli and the Giants but it was only 4 games. I think they should Adrian Peterson, or Brian Westbrook should be on the cover.[/quote]

I also agree, I mean honestly, him being on the cover takes so much away from the gameplay. The game with him on the cover is virtually unplayable.[/quote]

Since when has a cover impacted the gameplay? Yes, in recent years EA has focused on certain elements but the cover has zero to do with the game.

The entire issue of who is on the cover is complete minusha. Put Brian Bosworth or Eric Hipple on the cover, if the game plays well I COULD CARE LESS!!!
Eski

As a matter of fact, put me on the cover. 6’1″ and 240 pounds of Chipotle burritos…..
Eski

As a matter of fact, put me on the cover. 6’1″ and 240 pounds of Chipotle burritos…..
jo

Braylon Edwards
jo

Braylon Edwards
Details

For the commercial, if Eli is on the cover, EA could reproduce the Helmet Catch using the Madden engine.

This is interesting speculation, but Madden has much bigger issues.
Details

For the commercial, if Eli is on the cover, EA could reproduce the Helmet Catch using the Madden engine.

This is interesting speculation, but Madden has much bigger issues.
Darkheath

Eric Hipple… now that’s a name I haven’t heard in years…

OK… best idea yet. Peter Moore on the cover.
Darkheath

Eric Hipple… now that’s a name I haven’t heard in years…

OK… best idea yet. Peter Moore on the cover.
agent k

I don’t think that the cover will impact the game or anything but Eli will and already has gotten a crazy boost in ratings. EA likes to rate the cover boys high. If anything make Eli’s playoff clutch rating (yes I made that up) really high (I got respect for anybody who can beat the Patriots) but his everyday ratings cannot be that good based on his stats for his last 2 years. As much as we bash on other games for their ratings and lack of timely roster updates, Live and 2k basketball don’t hype nearly as much.
agent k

I don’t think that the cover will impact the game or anything but Eli will and already has gotten a crazy boost in ratings. EA likes to rate the cover boys high. If anything make Eli’s playoff clutch rating (yes I made that up) really high (I got respect for anybody who can beat the Patriots) but his everyday ratings cannot be that good based on his stats for his last 2 years. As much as we bash on other games for their ratings and lack of timely roster updates, Live and 2k basketball don’t hype nearly as much.
Matt

Rico- How does Eli “already have the Madden curse?” IF by Madden curse you mean proving himself to be one of the league’s best quarterbacks and winning a Super Bowl title, then I catch your drift.
Matt

Rico- How does Eli “already have the Madden curse?” IF by Madden curse you mean proving himself to be one of the league’s best quarterbacks and winning a Super Bowl title, then I catch your drift.