Info On the Madden 11 Cover Candidates

by pastapadre
Posted February 2nd, 2010 at 9:34 am

While I am not at liberty to disclose the candidates that will be up for the Madden 11 cover athlete vote I will be dropping some hints today and tomorrow leading up to them being revealed on Thursday. For those of you following me on Twitter I briefly mentioned a few vague details yesterday and even eliminated some names that had been guessed.

As I first stated upon initial reaction given that EA Sports would need to come to an agreement with any player before offering them up as a potential cover athlete this would not end up as a contest where any player was eligible. Instead there will be three names to choose from and they all come from teams that participated in the playoffs. The vote will determine the single player to grace the cover, it will not be two like last year. Feel free to speculate on who you think the three will be in the comments and check back tomorrow for some more hints that should narrow the guesses down!

Tags:

jaybubba99

Drew Brees
BL00DWAK3

I wanna say
Manning, Sanchez, and Brees.

But I know that probably only 1 of those is right at best, they wouldn't make it 3 QBs.
raydelizo35

Chris Johnson, Drew Brees, or Peyton Manning. However, I'd love to see Patrick Willis get it because I'm a 49ers fan, but that'll never happen.
Dizzysit

They had not have a RB on the cover since Shaun. I'm sure one of them is a running back. It really should have been Adrian Peterson on the cover last year when they implemented “fight for fumble.”
Dizzysit

They had not have a RB on the cover since Shaun. I'm sure one of them is a running back. It really should have been Adrian Peterson on the cover last year when they implemented “fight for fumble.”
Lake Allen

Its tough for me to take it down to 3. I think it could be any of Brees, Manning, Peterson, Ochocinco, and Revis.
http://pastapadre.com/ pastapadre

Given how much he fumbles that makes a lot of sense now
sroeland

Chad Ochocinco, Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers

A cornerback like Revis or Charles Woodson – or any defender for that matter – would hard to pick…I know they have had Ray Lewis and Troy Palomalu in the past, but no one has more visibility in the NFL than a QB or a WR that likes to be a media darling.
BU1B22

as a titans fan, cj would be an awesome plus. but its highly unlikely. maybe another year or so…im gonna go with jaybubba99 and say drew brees or go with a wild card like revis
sroeland

One more thing…a few people seem to be missing out on the “they all come from teams that participated in the playoffs” part.

So no Chris Johnson, Patrick Willis, etc.

Oh, and a few more ideas for the vote…Phillip Rivers and D'Sean Jackson are also visible, talented players. Plus, EA has used Jackson for their NCAA game in the past…just like they did with Larry Fitzgerald.
Volkov

Go with a DLine guy like Jared Allen.
keelzeboss

Revis, Brees, Ochocinco

I just feel like if they were going to put Peyton on the cover, they would have done so by now.
Sp1nDawg

Adrian Peterson, Drew Brees, and Peyton Manning….
People are dumb

ummm… people need to learn how to read… “there will be three names to choose from and they all come from teams that participated in the playoffs” Im pretty sure that means ONLY PLAYERS THAT MADE IT TO THE PLAYOFFS… no chris johnson
the three i would think are Peyton Manning, Darelle Revis, and darren sharper
sroeland

No offense…but I just posted the same thing you did earlier.

So now you look kind of dumb…
Shawn R

Matt Schuab, Or Ochocinco, Probably Brees or Manning though
sroeland

“Matt Schuab”

Not in playoffs…
jbrdthe3rd

SIDNEY RICE
kamar56

peterson, peyton, brady, sanchez, harvin,rice, or or brees will be on the cover hopefully peterson or drew brees
nutzilla13

Peyton Manning, Charles Woodson, Drew Brees
Soul

Revis, Peyton Manning, Brees
zapraz26

i think desean jackson deserves it for sure. most explosive player in the nfl, and he's only 5`11' 175 lbs.
jamesriver

ap lol come on dude.. what a joke.. CJ would get it before ap
65South

Doesn't really matter. They can change the outside of it, but if they don't change what's inside the box it's all the same.
alali24

If any QB it should be Rodgers. Look what the guy did with how awful his like was almost all year.(no i'm not a packer fan). Then I would say Chris Johnson, and then for good measure lets go with a defensive play in Reevis or Woodson. Maybe if they put one of those two on there they might focus on fixing pass D.
alexsherry

1.Rodgers 2. Peterson 3. Brees
alexsherry

SANCHEZ?? Really…
sroeland

CJ…not in playoffs!!!
sroeland

Chris Johnson…not in playoffs!
jason015

Desean Jackson, Chad Ochocinco, or Sidney Rice
bearzfa

Andre Johnson, Chris Johnson, Brandon Marshall, Brees, MJD those are the who i think are the biggest candidate most likely
Andre chris drew and mjd though
Chris

The excitement over the new cover player is killing me!

Wait a minute . . . no, it's not.
NoFro904

How About Kurt Warner.
sroeland

Good grief…NO PLAYER NOT FROM THE PLAYOFFS WILL BE A CANDIDATE!

“Instead there will be three names to choose from and they all come from teams that participated in the playoffs.”

Is it really that hard to read?
DaCoach

I would say Brees, DeSean Jackson, and Revis. But honestly, I don't really care who's on the cover as long as he doesn't play for the Cowboys!
eric7064

Brees,Revis,Peterson
http://www.facebook.com/people/Jonathan-Lynch-Liedl/744660343 Jonathan Lynch Liedl

TEAM BY TEAM ANALYSIS

PACKERS: Rodgers would be a great candidate, but he's eliminated by virtue of a different Packers QB appearing on the cover 2 years ago. For that same reason, I don't see a Packer on there, although DPOY Woodson would also be deserving.

CARDINALS: Bit of the same thing. Fitzgerald was on there last year, another Card isn't going on thsi year.

COWBOYS: Tony Romo is a possibility. He's a media-darling and QB's “America's Team.” I would say DeMarcus Ware is a very outside shot.

VIKINGS: Adrian Peterson will probably be a candidate. Despite the fact that Chris Johnson one-upped him this year, he's the most exciting running back.

SAINTS: Drew Brees has probably gotta be the front runner. No one else from the Saints really warrants a mention because they lack notoriety.

EAGLES: DeSean Jackson is the Eagles best hope. He's an electrifying player. I'd say he's a reasonable outside shot.

BENGALS: No one. Ochocinco I suppose should be mentioned.

JETS: Sanchez should not be under consideration. That would be as big a mistake as putting Vince Young on there was after his rookie year. Disaster. Darrelle Revis is an excellent player, but isn't a “play-maker” and isn't widely well known by none football junkies.

RAVENS: I'd love to see a guy like Ray Rice on there…maybe next year. Flacco could be a candidate, but I still feel he's unproven.

CHARGERS: Phillip Rivers has got to be a top candidate. Had MVPesque numbers this year.

PATRIOTS: Tom Brady should've been on there years ago, but I think his window of opportunity has passed. Besides him, the Patriots really are surprisingly lacking any big names.

COLTS: Obviously, MVP Peyton Manning seems like an obvious choice. But for a variety of reasons, I don't see it happening. Besides him, I'd say Reggie Wayne and Dallas Clark are possible, but unlikely picks.

My Opinion: I'm disappointed. I thought the 2 athlete concept was fantastic. They could've had Peyton and Vilma on there, or Brees and Freeney. But alas, it just wasn't meant to be. I think the odds on favorite to win has gotta be either a QB or a RB. Defense just doesn't get the attention, and two WR's in a row seems extreme. So without further ado, here are my top 3 candidates:

1. Drew Brees
2. Adrian Peterson
3. Phillip Rivers
http://www.facebook.com/people/Jonathan-Lynch-Liedl/744660343 Jonathan Lynch Liedl

TEAM BY TEAM ANALYSIS

PACKERS: Rodgers would be a great candidate, but he's eliminated by virtue of a different Packers QB appearing on the cover 2 years ago. For that same reason, I don't see a Packer on there, although DPOY Woodson would also be deserving.

CARDINALS: Bit of the same thing. Fitzgerald was on there last year, another Card isn't going on thsi year.

COWBOYS: Tony Romo is a possibility. He's a media-darling and QB's “America's Team.” I would say DeMarcus Ware is a very outside shot.

VIKINGS: Adrian Peterson will probably be a candidate. Despite the fact that Chris Johnson one-upped him this year, he's the most exciting running back.

SAINTS: Drew Brees has probably gotta be the front runner. No one else from the Saints really warrants a mention because they lack notoriety.

EAGLES: DeSean Jackson is the Eagles best hope. He's an electrifying player. I'd say he's a reasonable outside shot.

BENGALS: No one. Ochocinco I suppose should be mentioned.

JETS: Sanchez should not be under consideration. That would be as big a mistake as putting Vince Young on there was after his rookie year. Disaster. Darrelle Revis is an excellent player, but isn't a “play-maker” and isn't widely well known by none football junkies.

RAVENS: I'd love to see a guy like Ray Rice on there…maybe next year. Flacco could be a candidate, but I still feel he's unproven.

CHARGERS: Phillip Rivers has got to be a top candidate. Had MVPesque numbers this year.

PATRIOTS: Tom Brady should've been on there years ago, but I think his window of opportunity has passed. Besides him, the Patriots really are surprisingly lacking any big names.

COLTS: Obviously, MVP Peyton Manning seems like an obvious choice. But for a variety of reasons, I don't see it happening. Besides him, I'd say Reggie Wayne and Dallas Clark are possible, but unlikely picks.

My Opinion: I'm disappointed. I thought the 2 athlete concept was fantastic. They could've had Peyton and Vilma on there, or Brees and Freeney. But alas, it just wasn't meant to be. I think the odds on favorite to win has gotta be either a QB or a RB. Defense just doesn't get the attention, and two WR's in a row seems extreme. So without further ado, here are my top 3 candidates:

1. Drew Brees
2. Adrian Peterson
3. Phillip Rivers
http://www.facebook.com/people/Jonathan-Lynch-Liedl/744660343 Jonathan Lynch Liedl

and for good measure:

4. Tony Romo
5. DeSean Jackson

Anonymous

if romo is even in the running, ea is in desperation mode. totally forgot about rivers. very much becoming a household name…..tell ya what….screw the qb/rb/wr idea for cover. give the cover to garrett hartley!

jmbrew420

desean jackson the most overrrated, chris johnson is the most explosive.
jmbrew420

Must be a philly fan. sorry the boys whipped dat azz 3 times this season. i know it must hurt.
jmbrew420

ray rice, drew brees, miles austin
jake

i could defidentally see them do this, i mean they did it with brett favre. this is a very high possibility
HUEJAC2

Sanchez! Are you mad?
Anonymous

Revis, Manning, and because there’s always a zinger in Madden. I’d say Darren Sharper or Kurt Warner (they gave Brett the cover when he “retired” why not Kurt
Anonymous

As an Eagles fan I’d want DeSean Jackson… but they’ll probably do Kurt Warner cause he retired, maybe manning, or Revis… PLEASE DO DESEAN
Anonymous

if its anybody on the jets i would puke then boycott madden
Anonymous

1. AP2. Brees3. Revis
Cole

Brees Manning Peterson
nate

ooo nothing gets by you sherlock