Tracking the Madden 2010 Cover Candidates

by pastapadre
Posted December 16th, 2008 at 7:58 am

At the mid-point of the season I took a look at some of the top candidates for the Madden 10 cover. I thought it would be interesting reevaluate those players and see how their stock has risen or fallen and consider what other players may have emerged as possibilities with their performances as of late. Needless to say the landscape has changed dramatically a quarter of a season later.

Stock Up

Andre Johnson: Leads the league in receptions and yards. Johnson and Anquan Boldin appear to the be only viable WR candidates for the Madden cover. It would be refreshing to have a non ego-driven WR who has produced on the field and carried his team to some success. They may not be heading to the playoffs or be one of the most marketable teams, but it would be a selection that NFL fans could appreciate.

DeMarcus Ware: Leading the league with 19 sacks he is threatening to break the record of 22.5 set by Michael Strahan. He has solidified the Cowboys defense all season. It wouldn’t be all that surprising either for EA to go for the marketing power of having a Cowboy on the cover. It would be only the second time a defensive player has been on Madden and he certainly would’ve earned the honor.

Adrian Peterson: He leads the league in rushing by 160 yards though he lags behind eight backs in TDs. He probably should’ve been the Madden 09 cover athlete, but has come back with a strong season that will put him at the top of the most deserving list once again.

DeAngelo Williams: It has been a two-headed attack for Carolina. Along with Jonathan Stewart, Williams has been on fire in the second half of the season. All of the sudden he is fourth in rushing yards, second in TDs, and leads the league in yards per attempt. The Panthers will be heading to the playoffs with a first round bye and possibly home field throughout thanks to their rushing attack.

Michael Turner: Along with Matt Ryan the two newcomers have turned the last place Falcons into playoff contenders. Turner leads the league in rushing TDs and is second in yards. Despite having the resume it may be too much to expect another Falcons player on the cover.

Ed Reed and Troy Polomalu: If there is going to be a defensive player on the cover Ed Reed and Troy Polomalu would appear to be the most high profile options outside of Ware. Not only are they having exceptional seasons, both are on teams that will make the playoffs, and both have been great players for several years.

Stock Down

Clinton Portis: Injuries have severely hampered his output. He is now behind both Adrian Peterson and Michael Turner for rushing yards and 21 other backs have as many or more TDs than him. Also factor in his public criticism of head coach Jim Zorn and he seems to have fallen completely off the list for consideration. Considering he easily won the poll at the mid-season point that is a drastic change in perception and production in a short period of time.

Drew Brees: He has the stats. Leads the league in passing yards and is tied for tops in TDs. The problem is the Saints have fallen out of playoff contention. At this point he would be comparable to Philip Rivers. Neither would seem to be ideal choices considering the circumstances.

Anquan Boldin: As discussed in the article focusing on Boldin he would make a great choice to become the first WR on the cover of Madden. The main drawback is that he may be traded in the off-season and if that continues to be a possibility they’ll be forced to overlook him.

Albert Haynesworth: With his semi-controversial past it probably would’ve taken a perfect season and MVP for Haynesworth to get the cover. Still anchors the great defense of the Titans as they attempt to get the top seed in the AFC. An injury he suffered on Sunday looks to take him completely out of the running considering he’ll miss the final two games and is uncertain for the playoffs.

Charles Woodson: Haven’t heard much from Woodson in the second half of the season. Green Bay won’t be heading for the playoffs and EA won’t put another Packers player on the cover two years in a row.

Tags:

SteelCurtain

Uhh…Pasta..it's Polamalu bro lol.Not Polo..I'd love to see him on the cover though. As for Ware on the cover, Harrison by far should get it over him. Yeah he may break the sack record, but the year's not over. Both still have games to play. Harrison has better all around stats. Both Polamalu and Harrison are contributers to the NFL's top defense and are making history together.

So that everyone doesn't think I'm just going for my team, I think Peterson deserves it too. Leading the NFL in rushing this year and last year definitely makes him a top candidate.

Kurt Warner too. Look at what he's done this year. There's more but I'm going to get off. See ya.

Capes

Actually LT lead the league in rushing last year

SteelCurtain

Uhh…Pasta..it's Polamalu bro lol.Not Polo..I'd love to see him on the cover though. As for Ware on the cover, Harrison by far should get it over him. Yeah he may break the sack record, but the year's not over. Both still have games to play. Harrison has better all around stats. Both Polamalu and Harrison are contributers to the NFL's top defense and are making history together.

So that everyone doesn't think I'm just going for my team, I think Peterson deserves it too. Leading the NFL in rushing this year and last year definitely makes him a top candidate.

Kurt Warner too. Look at what he's done this year. There's more but I'm going to get off. See ya.

Capes

Actually LT lead the league in rushing last year

KRIS

I HATE THE COWBOYS BUT IF D WARE BREAKS THE RECORD FOR SACKS, THERE IS NO DOUBT IN MY MIND THAT HE SHOULD BE ON THE COVER. IF NOT THEN TROY DEFINATELY IS A LOCK
KRIS

I HATE THE COWBOYS BUT IF D WARE BREAKS THE RECORD FOR SACKS, THERE IS NO DOUBT IN MY MIND THAT HE SHOULD BE ON THE COVER. IF NOT THEN TROY DEFINATELY IS A LOCK
joker

ed reed, steve smith, julius peppers or drew brees should be on the cover
joker

ed reed, steve smith, julius peppers or drew brees should be on the cover
Josh

Definately should be a defensive player this year. Show some love to defense! Ed Reed or Polomalu would be perfect!
Josh

Definately should be a defensive player this year. Show some love to defense! Ed Reed or Polomalu would be perfect!
Mr T Xtreme

D Ware should be on the cover. Not only is he a beast, his team has the biggest market in the NFL. It would help increase sales big time.
Mr T Xtreme

D Ware should be on the cover. Not only is he a beast, his team has the biggest market in the NFL. It would help increase sales big time.
JEVON

Roddy White IS known!! He was the 6th WR taken in the first round of the '05 draft and with the exception of Braylon, the other 4 before him haven't been impact players on their teams. He's never missed a game and as soon as Vick left the equation, Roddy's stats tripled. Just watch what happens next year!
JEVON

Roddy White IS known!! He was the 6th WR taken in the first round of the '05 draft and with the exception of Braylon, the other 4 before him haven't been impact players on their teams. He's never missed a game and as soon as Vick left the equation, Roddy's stats tripled. Just watch what happens next year!
blake

DRE!

Or D-Ware with some new defensive adjustments to make the game recognize 3-4 vs 4-3 defenses better.
blake

DRE!

Or D-Ware with some new defensive adjustments to make the game recognize 3-4 vs 4-3 defenses better.
C Squared

I think Larry Fitz will get some consideration. Stats are just as good as Boldin, and White has had some issues with attitude and effort up until this year. Fitz is a model citizen for the NFL, and he;s not asking for a trade.
But overall, I think Ware should get it while EA should try to do something about the battles in the trenches. They should overhaul the whole thing to make the lines more realistic to positioning, and have guys who get sacks regularly, actually get them. And let me see big DTs like Wilfork or Kris Jenkins plug up 2-3 holes whith their big bodies, as they d in real life. I want to see a pocket for the QB too!!!
Do you think the lines need an overhaul?
C Squared

I think Larry Fitz will get some consideration. Stats are just as good as Boldin, and White has had some issues with attitude and effort up until this year. Fitz is a model citizen for the NFL, and he;s not asking for a trade.
But overall, I think Ware should get it while EA should try to do something about the battles in the trenches. They should overhaul the whole thing to make the lines more realistic to positioning, and have guys who get sacks regularly, actually get them. And let me see big DTs like Wilfork or Kris Jenkins plug up 2-3 holes whith their big bodies, as they d in real life. I want to see a pocket for the QB too!!!
Do you think the lines need an overhaul?
Thedudething

Put Terrell Owens or Eli Manning on so they get the Madden Curse
Thedudething

Put Terrell Owens or Eli Manning on so they get the Madden Curse
Anthony Gonzalez #11

If Atlanta goes to the playoffs put Matt Ryan on the cover nobody thought Atlanta could do what they did this year and this is coming from a Colts fan.
Anthony Gonzalez #11

If Atlanta goes to the playoffs put Matt Ryan on the cover nobody thought Atlanta could do what they did this year and this is coming from a Colts fan.
Adrian Peterson

Thanks guys for all the support. Tobe honest with yall I think Ware dserves it. I just do my job, he does more then just his job. We will see what happens.

Later Guys

#28 Adrian "All Day" Peterson
Adrian Peterson

Thanks guys for all the support. Tobe honest with yall I think Ware dserves it. I just do my job, he does more then just his job. We will see what happens.

Later Guys

#28 Adrian "All Day" Peterson
lonely brown

tom brady so he getd the curse and i dont have to hear about him all next year
lonely brown

tom brady so he getd the curse and i dont have to hear about him all next year
a;sldkfj

just put the super bowl mvp on there and call it a day
a;sldkfj

just put the super bowl mvp on there and call it a day
R.Maivia!

Willy Beamen FTW!
R.Maivia!

Willy Beamen FTW!
bears fan

whoever said steve slaton must be smokin dope
bears fan

whoever said steve slaton must be smokin dope
Pete

Andre Johnson (in that badass red jersey), AP, or DeMarcus Ware. All good candidates imo.
Pete

Andre Johnson (in that badass red jersey), AP, or DeMarcus Ware. All good candidates imo.
jay

DeAnagelo Williams to me deserves it
AP has 8 fumbles and 4 more recovered!!!!
DeAngelo has the most plus 30 yard runs fortd's since jim brown w/6
he is the 8th player to have to have two 4 td games in a season
and his td runs are fun 2 watch,spinning,shaking, stiff arming, and even sometimes trucking and 5.4 ypc

also we should look at brandon jacobs and derrick ward.brandon is a freak of nature he'll end up w/1,100
yds(5.o ypc) and ward will end up w/ a 1000 and 5.7 yads per carry

andre johnson would be my next candidate,he hasthe look of the perfect wr
jay

DeAnagelo Williams to me deserves it
AP has 8 fumbles and 4 more recovered!!!!
DeAngelo has the most plus 30 yard runs fortd's since jim brown w/6
he is the 8th player to have to have two 4 td games in a season
and his td runs are fun 2 watch,spinning,shaking, stiff arming, and even sometimes trucking and 5.4 ypc

also we should look at brandon jacobs and derrick ward.brandon is a freak of nature he'll end up w/1,100
yds(5.o ypc) and ward will end up w/ a 1000 and 5.7 yads per carry

andre johnson would be my next candidate,he hasthe look of the perfect wr
Javier

I Hope "Troy Polamalu" Gets The Cover
Javier

I Hope "Troy Polamalu" Gets The Cover
Javier

Dallas Cowboys are Garbage " I Hate Them With PRIDE"… Lets Go Steelers!!! =D
Javier

Dallas Cowboys are Garbage " I Hate Them With PRIDE"… Lets Go Steelers!!! =D
OG555

SANTANA MOSS ALL DAY EVERY DAY
OG555

SANTANA MOSS ALL DAY EVERY DAY
Rob

Got to be Peterson, especially now that the Vikes made the playoffs. Maybe Eli only if the Giants pull off the repeat.
Rob

Got to be Peterson, especially now that the Vikes made the playoffs. Maybe Eli only if the Giants pull off the repeat.
j-rich

I would not be surprised if it were Matt Ryan or Joe Flacco because Vince Young was on the cover of madden 08 but if i had to choose one person to be on the cover i would pick Anquan Boldin with Brady at a close second.
j-rich

I would not be surprised if it were Matt Ryan or Joe Flacco because Vince Young was on the cover of madden 08 but if i had to choose one person to be on the cover i would pick Anquan Boldin with Brady at a close second.
obb

I beive terrel Owens should be on the cover of madden 2010
obb

I beive terrel Owens should be on the cover of madden 2010
dan

i think pennington ,andre johnson, or adrian peterson should be on the cover . cause every year ap will be beast'n up d-lines on every team and pennington led the dolphins to the playoffs and ande johnson is just a wrecking crew by himself. Polamalu would be a great choice to if you want a defense player.
dan

i think pennington ,andre johnson, or adrian peterson should be on the cover . cause every year ap will be beast'n up d-lines on every team and pennington led the dolphins to the playoffs and ande johnson is just a wrecking crew by himself. Polamalu would be a great choice to if you want a defense player.
http://intensedebate.com/people/polamalu polamalu

i dont care what no one says troy polamalu and ed reed no doubt… any1 got xbox live hit me up my gamertag is MrVanillaFace69 lets go baby!!!!!!!!!
http://intensedebate.com/people/polamalu polamalu

i dont care what no one says troy polamalu and ed reed no doubt… any1 got xbox live hit me up my gamertag is MrVanillaFace69 lets go baby!!!!!!!!!