What will come for Madden around the NFL Draft?
April 9, 2008 by pastapadre
Not only is the NFL Draft an exciting time for all football fans but it brings the first rumblings around the new version of Madden as well. Lets look to the events of last year for a picture of what to expect in the coming weeks.
- Vince Young was announced as the cover athlete almost two weeks ahead of the draft. Two days later came the first screenshots with Young featured. We know the 09 announcement won’t be made until closer to draft time likely on the Thursday or Friday prior.
- The first Madden commercials started airing the week before the draft. While they didn’t show gameplay they did start the buzz. Devin Hester, Reggie Bush, and Vince Young were featured in the three teaser ads.
- The official website for Madden launched the day before the draft. Until then it was essentially a placeholder with wallpapers which is similar to what we have now for 09 (but with each year’s cover and their wallpapers instead). They also released a very nice Vince Young 360 dashboard theme for free on the same day.
- Throughout the first round of the draft the official website was updated with first look screenshots. The rookies could be seen in their new uniforms for the first time.
- The first preview of Madden from a media site came from IGN on the opening day of the draft. It included a lot of details which focused mainly on gameplay enhancements rather than a feature list.
With this being the 20th Anniversary I’d expect an even larger presence of Madden. We know we’ll be getting the cover athlete announcement in the days leading up to the draft. Look for the first screenshots and cover art along with it or soon after. The first commercials will likely be shown during the draft or on ESPN the week before as was the case last year. With the popularity of the rookie screenshots as the draft is progressing that’ll surely return. When it comes to first look previews it was surprising to get one on that Saturday last year so it may be more likely that would come during the following week.
What else that you think we may see right around the draft? I suspect there will be some surprises. Leave your thoughts in the comments.
Looking at the History of the Madden Covers There are some conclusions that can be made. Since Madden has never had a non African American athlete on the cover,it is likely that trend will not change this year. In addition to that fact, There has never been a cover athlete other than Ray Lewis that wasnt’ either a QB or RB. The Final clue is that the cover athlete is has always been an explosive type of player and/or a player garning much hype. After all these conclusions I have come up with my choice for both the covers of NCAA and Madden for this year. Starting with the NCAA, there really is only 1 player that is worthy of all the hype and would be a suitable cover athlete for NCAA. My choice here has to be Darren McFadden. Hands down, he is the only player out there who is garning the hype that lands you on the cover of a video game.
Now for my NFL prediction. Being that a QB or RB has graced the cover of Madden every year but one and being that Non African American Athletes never seem to grace the cover of a Madden game, it is safe to say that there are No QB worthy of a cover, not even David Garrard, but if it were to be a QB I’d pick him sticking to previous history. Now that only leaves the RB position. There is only one RB that was explosive enough and hyped enough to be worthy of a Madden cover and the person is…………………
ADRIAN PETERSEN of the MINNESOTA VIKINGS.
There you have it sportsfans McFadden/Petersen in 09. Vote now!!!
The cover is already guaranteed a reciever just ask earl.
I thought McFadden was already anounced for NCAA, right? I am guessing Randy Moss will be on the cover of 09. I also am predicting that receivers will get some right analog love (as is the pattern…Vision cone-QB; Highlight stick/Truck stick-RB;)
please EA, give us stat overlays during the game after EVERY run, catch, pass….and referees!!!!!!
what I would love for EA to do is, since it the 20th anniversary, I’m a PS3 owner and maybe it would only be able to be done on the PS3 because of the blu-ray disk, is to make all systems version of madden playable on the next-gen sick, like the best SNES verion, the Best PS1 version and the best PS2 version available to play and to play a franchise..
Yo Timothy Daley they already announced McFadden for ncaa gets your facts straight before you talk and Peterson wont be on madden Eli Manning will
Haven’t you seen the preview covers of Madden, it’s a receiver on it, so what would make you think otherwise?
Michael wrote:
Apparently my facts are straight since I’ve stated that McFadden would be on the cover. I didn’t know that when I posted it. As for ELI being on the cover. Please!!!! you need a history lesson son. Wrong skin tone AND he is not that good. Try again you Giant homer.
Michael wrote:
http://www.madden04.com/madden.....1714.shtml
PERHAPS IT IS YOU WHO SHOULD GET THEIR FACTS STRAIGHT. APPARENTLY THERE WILL BE AN EXLCLUSIVE COVER ATHLETE FOR EACH SYSTEM FOR NCAA.
ITs OK, you can remove your foot from mouth and head from A$$.
If it is a receiver, will probably by Braylon Edwards
Terrell Owens - Madden 09, what some people might consider that all covers T.O. is on are good games (NFL 2K5) and have good presentation and features, so bring him back.
I REALLY hope that it isn’t Peterson. I like that guy. Plus.. I have a signed OU football from him. Now what would that be worth after walking willingly into the Madden Curse.
I actually think it will be ol’ John himself on this one, being as it’s the 20th anniversary and all.
If it is runningback it could be Brian Westbrook
But if it is true that it is WR how about David Tyree!
Lol, seriously though it could be Plaxico Burress
Darkheath wrote:
You make a good point about the cover being madden himself. Being that it is a big to do 20th anniversary edition is is only fitting that the big guy himself grace the cover. Good call man.
Here’s my shocker for the cover - NO ATHLETE, but Coach John Madden himself gracing the cover for the 20-year anniversary!
Sorry, I didn’t see that someone else had the same notion a few posts before; Madden himself.
Eric wrote:
I can’t see how any Giant is worthy of the cover. None of them are that good. They were fortunate to win a super bowl but ELI is no Peyton or Brady and Burress is no Moss or Owens.
Giant homers need to get this notion out of your collective heads.
They should do like NCAA and there should be a different player on each systems cover.
Every year the cover guy is centered around the major feature of the game.
Gettin Big John On There = Good Presentation?
Hopefully the 20th anni leads to that. I can only pray that is the route they are taking.
I have a feeling that the cover may contain all 20 covers with Madden bursting through the middle…..
Eski wrote:
In the same pose from the very first game…
Tim, you sound a little bitter that the Giants won last year. They did a great job… give them the nod they deserve, get over it and get on to the next season.
I wouldn’t mind seeing Madden on the cover only because I get sick of hearing about this Madden curse.
I agree with all the “John on the cover” of Madden. Not only that, but I hope they bring him back as one of the commentators. Only fitting for the 20th edition. But add a lot more non-specific variety to the ad-libs and just an occasional, i.e., boom, boom, here, there…gimme a turkey leg, where it is fitting………lol.
The “fluff” of the past two years by the EA marketing team, needs to be replaced with early, early info RE: bringing back all the things players have been complaining about. EA knows what they are. I would hope that this would be some of the first “news” after the rookie draft photos, etc.
quick question , if madden does grace the cover of o9 and the curse is true then!?! OMG! we are all dooomed!!!! o9 will be the final year for madden and life would end as we know it! dammit! no more madden=second comming of christ