A New Madden 2010 Cover Candidate Emerges

by pastapadre
Posted November 18th, 2008 at 7:50 am

A couple weeks ago I listed out who I believed to be at the time the top five candidates for the Madden 2010 cover. The voting slanted heavily towards Redskins RB Clinton Portis with Saints QB Drew Brees as the runner-up.

One name that has vaulted himself into contention over the past few weeks that I did not have in that group is Cardinals WR Anquan Boldin. Having seen him in person on Sunday only impressed me more. What makes his recent performances even more remarkable is that they come after showing the incredible toughness of returning only three weeks after the injury that resulted in him having to get eight plates inserted into his face and wiring in his jaw.

The Cardinals are using him all over the field including in the Wildcat formation made popular by the Dolphins this year. He is averaging nearly eight receptions 100 yards and a TD a game. The Cardinals have all but clinched the NFC West.

The only concern over Boldin is that he still desires a trade in the off-season and EA would generally hesitate to put someone on the cover who may end up in a different uniform.

The Madden series has never had a wide receiver on the cover. This may be the year if Boldin continues to perform on this level. In the poll below I’d like to hear which WR, that could arguably be considered as the most likely possibilities for the cover, would you choose to receive the honor if the decision was made today?

{democracy:50}

Tags:

ImSourLikeDiesel

im not sure even if theyll go with a reciever. madden is crazy tho. that vince young cover isnt working out to well.

Tyler Larson

I dont even think a reciever should go on the cover it should be lke an Adrian Peterson or a CLinton Portis, last year they made the mistake of puttingg Brett Favre on the cover, but with all do respect i agree if there was a reciever it should be boldin.

ImSourLikeDiesel

im not sure even if theyll go with a reciever. madden is crazy tho. that vince young cover isnt working out to well.

Tyler Larson

I dont even think a reciever should go on the cover it should be lke an Adrian Peterson or a CLinton Portis, last year they made the mistake of puttingg Brett Favre on the cover, but with all do respect i agree if there was a reciever it should be boldin.

J-Claw

I think Boldin would be a great pick for the cover. Him or Andre Johnson if they go WR.
J-Claw

I think Boldin would be a great pick for the cover. Him or Andre Johnson if they go WR.
swizzy

if UR not 3rd UR LAST

dey should put da MAN T.O. on da COVA

PLAY

BET-DAT

swizzy

if UR not 3rd UR LAST

dey should put da MAN T.O. on da COVA

PLAY

BET-DAT

Da Gird

I think Boldin, or Andre Johnson would be a great pick. Don’t sleep on Roddy White though, he is a beast.
Da Gird

I think Boldin, or Andre Johnson would be a great pick. Don’t sleep on Roddy White though, he is a beast.
Ketih

Tiburon’s got a lot bigger problems to address than who to put on the cover.

To answer the question, though, I’d say that Hines Ward is a lot more deserving than some of the clowns pasta mentioned (Roddy White…I mean, c’mon).
Ketih

Tiburon’s got a lot bigger problems to address than who to put on the cover.

To answer the question, though, I’d say that Hines Ward is a lot more deserving than some of the clowns pasta mentioned (Roddy White…I mean, c’mon).
Josh

Pasta, I live in Phoenix & I would love for Bolden to get the cover but if you’ve been following the Cardinals, Boldin is not happy with the Cardinals & his contract situation. If he were to get the cover, we could possibly have another Brett Favre situation where Boldin is playing for another team. The Cardinals have a history of being a cheap franchise & the talk out here is that they won’t be able to afford to keep Boldin & Fitzgerald. They just gave Fitzgerald a huge contract extention in the offseason. He’s making like 14 million a year. We’ll see though.
Josh

Pasta, I live in Phoenix & I would love for Bolden to get the cover but if you’ve been following the Cardinals, Boldin is not happy with the Cardinals & his contract situation. If he were to get the cover, we could possibly have another Brett Favre situation where Boldin is playing for another team. The Cardinals have a history of being a cheap franchise & the talk out here is that they won’t be able to afford to keep Boldin & Fitzgerald. They just gave Fitzgerald a huge contract extention in the offseason. He’s making like 14 million a year. We’ll see though.
Jose Canseco

Boldin wont be on the cover…he’ll be on a new team next year.

They’re going to give it to a Cowboy since they’re America’s team. It’ll be either Tony Romo, Barber, or Ware.
Jose Canseco

Boldin wont be on the cover…he’ll be on a new team next year.

They’re going to give it to a Cowboy since they’re America’s team. It’ll be either Tony Romo, Barber, or Ware.
Justin tuck

I voted for Andre ….
Justin tuck

I voted for Andre ….
ilikepie

hey pasta,

Here is some news for you to post. Madden 09 sales have been so poor this year that Toys R Us has reduced the price of the 360 version to $19.99 (not a sale price, this is what they dropped it to)

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3161983

If 2010 is anything like 2009 they should put a steaming pile of manure on the cover.
ilikepie

hey pasta,

Here is some news for you to post. Madden 09 sales have been so poor this year that Toys R Us has reduced the price of the 360 version to $19.99 (not a sale price, this is what they dropped it to)

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3161983

If 2010 is anything like 2009 they should put a steaming pile of manure on the cover.
Justin tuck

wow
Justin tuck

wow
Chef 91

Why is Bowe even on that list? His team won what? One game? Seriously, he isn’t even leading his team in receptions (tied at 55 with Tony G).

Lol isn’t it bad enough that he has 666 recieving yards? You really want to curse him twice?

Why not put Greg Jennings on the list? Or Marshall? Someone who deserves it.
Chef 91

Why is Bowe even on that list? His team won what? One game? Seriously, he isn’t even leading his team in receptions (tied at 55 with Tony G).

Lol isn’t it bad enough that he has 666 recieving yards? You really want to curse him twice?

Why not put Greg Jennings on the list? Or Marshall? Someone who deserves it.
Ketih

ilikepie wrote:

hey pasta,
Here is some news for you to post. Madden 09 sales have been so poor this year that Toys R Us has reduced the price of the 360 version to $19.99 (not a sale price, this is what they dropped it to)
http://www.toysrus.com/product…..Id=3161983
If 2010 is anything like 2009 they should put a steaming pile of manure on the cover.

Glad you posted this…though you and I both know Pasta will never mention Madden’s poor sales in an article. Since he won’t, I’ll point out that there was no Madden in the top 20 for October, and only 1 placed in September (the 360 version), and it placed 19th.

The biggest sport in America, and this is what we’re stuck with. How sad.
Ketih

ilikepie wrote:

hey pasta,
Here is some news for you to post. Madden 09 sales have been so poor this year that Toys R Us has reduced the price of the 360 version to $19.99 (not a sale price, this is what they dropped it to)
http://www.toysrus.com/product…..Id=3161983
If 2010 is anything like 2009 they should put a steaming pile of manure on the cover.

Glad you posted this…though you and I both know Pasta will never mention Madden’s poor sales in an article. Since he won’t, I’ll point out that there was no Madden in the top 20 for October, and only 1 placed in September (the 360 version), and it placed 19th.

The biggest sport in America, and this is what we’re stuck with. How sad.
Seahawksfan617

Calvin Johnson, Billy Mcmullen, or Hank Baskett.
Seahawksfan617

Calvin Johnson, Billy Mcmullen, or Hank Baskett.
rondoman

Pasta won’t mention Maddens horrible sales nor respond to those of us who wonder what happened to the NBA 2K9 Impressions that he was gonna write up.

Looks like ilikepie has more credibility than Pasta.ilikepie wrote:

hey pasta,
Here is some news for you to post. Madden 09 sales have been so poor this year that Toys R Us has reduced the price of the 360 version to $19.99 (not a sale price, this is what they dropped it to)
http://www.toysrus.com/product…..Id=3161983
If 2010 is anything like 2009 they should put a steaming pile of manure on the cover.
rondoman

Pasta won’t mention Maddens horrible sales nor respond to those of us who wonder what happened to the NBA 2K9 Impressions that he was gonna write up.

Looks like ilikepie has more credibility than Pasta.ilikepie wrote:

hey pasta,
Here is some news for you to post. Madden 09 sales have been so poor this year that Toys R Us has reduced the price of the 360 version to $19.99 (not a sale price, this is what they dropped it to)
http://www.toysrus.com/product…..Id=3161983
If 2010 is anything like 2009 they should put a steaming pile of manure on the cover.
rondoman

No doubt.

The #1 sport in the United States by far. Most popular by far.

Sunday afternoons is a place will you will find millions of people watching the NFL.

Yet, we are stuck with the crap that is Madden. Don’t work on gameplay EA, work on your Rewind feature, and your stupid My Madden settings. Oh, and while you are at it, take out CPU sliders and don’t add ref’s.

Pathetic.
bhurst99

I think I speak for a lot of sports gamers when I wish EA would care less about its cover athlete and the music in the game and more about the game play/presentation.

I am enjoying Madden 2009 and I think it’s a great deal for $20. If the game is good they could put a CFLer on the cover for all I care. I’m sure it’s a great honour for the player involved but I don’t think anyone has ever thought, “Wow, if Brett Farve is on the cover this year I have to Madden this year”

I’d be curious to know if EA Sports felt that putting that relatively unknown Boise State QB on its cover of NCAA Football had any impact either negatively or positively on sales.
rondoman

No doubt.

The #1 sport in the United States by far. Most popular by far.

Sunday afternoons is a place will you will find millions of people watching the NFL.

Yet, we are stuck with the crap that is Madden. Don’t work on gameplay EA, work on your Rewind feature, and your stupid My Madden settings. Oh, and while you are at it, take out CPU sliders and don’t add ref’s.

Pathetic.
bhurst99

I think I speak for a lot of sports gamers when I wish EA would care less about its cover athlete and the music in the game and more about the game play/presentation.

I am enjoying Madden 2009 and I think it’s a great deal for $20. If the game is good they could put a CFLer on the cover for all I care. I’m sure it’s a great honour for the player involved but I don’t think anyone has ever thought, “Wow, if Brett Farve is on the cover this year I have to Madden this year”

I’d be curious to know if EA Sports felt that putting that relatively unknown Boise State QB on its cover of NCAA Football had any impact either negatively or positively on sales.
sam

Instead they should put Brandon Jacobs or Eli on the cover if they win back to back championchips
sam

Instead they should put Brandon Jacobs or Eli on the cover if they win back to back championchips
me

Pasta,
You’re killin me smallz. What happened to the Pasta I grew accustomed to last year that had cool videos and insightful feedback on the games I was intrested in at the time. I don’t care who the hell is on the cover next year. I want to see video of the games that you have played. I really enjoyed last years Campus Legend and Superstar where we followed your player. Now, I am starting to never check in but once a week, because, your material is boring to me. I wish for more of “this is how I played it” type articles, because this poo is starting to stink too bad for me to inquire in on at all.
me

Pasta,
You’re killin me smallz. What happened to the Pasta I grew accustomed to last year that had cool videos and insightful feedback on the games I was intrested in at the time. I don’t care who the hell is on the cover next year. I want to see video of the games that you have played. I really enjoyed last years Campus Legend and Superstar where we followed your player. Now, I am starting to never check in but once a week, because, your material is boring to me. I wish for more of “this is how I played it” type articles, because this poo is starting to stink too bad for me to inquire in on at all.
infamous

I swear ever sports game its always the people the come on line that always have problems with it or swear it horriable, while 90% of the people that dont take game serious still enjoy it , even on the nba 2k9 boards on 2ksports.com you got people swearing the game horrilbe, I actually like madden and nba 2k9 i guess I dont take videogames serious enough to find why i shouldnt like it.
infamous

I swear ever sports game its always the people the come on line that always have problems with it or swear it horriable, while 90% of the people that dont take game serious still enjoy it , even on the nba 2k9 boards on 2ksports.com you got people swearing the game horrilbe, I actually like madden and nba 2k9 i guess I dont take videogames serious enough to find why i shouldnt like it.
Solidx1030

Roddy White is deserving for his breakout past 2 seasons but i doubt they would put a falcon on the cover 2 times in 5 years… Greg Jennings would be great, but they had a Packer on this years cover (sorta)… Anquon wont be with the Cards much longer, so scratch him off the list… I could see Fitzgerald though.
Solidx1030

Roddy White is deserving for his breakout past 2 seasons but i doubt they would put a falcon on the cover 2 times in 5 years… Greg Jennings would be great, but they had a Packer on this years cover (sorta)… Anquon wont be with the Cards much longer, so scratch him off the list… I could see Fitzgerald though.
aianswer

me wrote:

Pasta,
You’re killin me smallz. What happened to the Pasta I grew accustomed to last year that had cool videos and insightful feedback on the games I was intrested in at the time. I don’t care who the hell is on the cover next year. I want to see video of the games that you have played. I really enjoyed last years Campus Legend and Superstar where we followed your player. Now, I am starting to never check in but once a week, because, your material is boring to me. I wish for more of “this is how I played it” type articles, because this poo is starting to stink too bad for me to inquire in on at all.

yeah I remeber when he use to do that to, the fanboy wars and the e thugs are some of the reasons are dont like coming here are times its still a good site.
aianswer

me wrote:

Pasta,
You’re killin me smallz. What happened to the Pasta I grew accustomed to last year that had cool videos and insightful feedback on the games I was intrested in at the time. I don’t care who the hell is on the cover next year. I want to see video of the games that you have played. I really enjoyed last years Campus Legend and Superstar where we followed your player. Now, I am starting to never check in but once a week, because, your material is boring to me. I wish for more of “this is how I played it” type articles, because this poo is starting to stink too bad for me to inquire in on at all.

yeah I remeber when he use to do that to, the fanboy wars and the e thugs are some of the reasons are dont like coming here are times its still a good site.
pastapadre

@ me:

Thanks for the feedback. I enjoy doing those type of things, with this year’s titles there hasn’t been much excitement around those type of features (Superstar and Campus Legend weren’t improved). I did attempt to keep up with my online dynasty and I’ll probably have another update coming in the near future since we’re hitting bowl season soon in the second season. I’m hoping Front Office Manager can be a part of that, especially with the online fantasy leagues those could be interesting to follow along with. Then we’ll get Road to the Show which I’m also hopeful will be better this year.
pastapadre

@ me:

Thanks for the feedback. I enjoy doing those type of things, with this year’s titles there hasn’t been much excitement around those type of features (Superstar and Campus Legend weren’t improved). I did attempt to keep up with my online dynasty and I’ll probably have another update coming in the near future since we’re hitting bowl season soon in the second season. I’m hoping Front Office Manager can be a part of that, especially with the online fantasy leagues those could be interesting to follow along with. Then we’ll get Road to the Show which I’m also hopeful will be better this year.
Sean

Andre Johson. Leads the NFL in all the main WR statistics. (he did before Sunday’s games but I haven’t checked since)
Sean

Andre Johson. Leads the NFL in all the main WR statistics. (he did before Sunday’s games but I haven’t checked since)
blackngoldfan

It should be Hines Ward. Instead of gettin’ his face broken, he’s out there breakin’ jaws with a smile. He’s a linebacker playing receiver. Defenses fear him. There’s even a bounty out on him. That’s my definition of “a beast”
blackngoldfan

It should be Hines Ward. Instead of gettin’ his face broken, he’s out there breakin’ jaws with a smile. He’s a linebacker playing receiver. Defenses fear him. There’s even a bounty out on him. That’s my definition of “a beast”
http://dhdhsjdd.com/ dah bih al

my dick should be on the cover of madden2010, and shaq’s dick on NBA live 2010. Now that would. E awesome!
http://dhdhsjdd.com dah bih al

my dick should be on the cover of madden2010, and shaq’s dick on NBA live 2010. Now that would. E awesome!