The Madden cover: how 'bout a Buc

I have a confession: I am a closet Madden video game addict.

I have a 9-year-old son who I believe owns every video-game system ever made, so it's hard to avoid them in my house. And since sports games are the only ones I'm any good at it, I find myself spending a lot of time playing Madden NFL '08.

Now, I hear the cover boy for Madden NFL '09 will be named on Friday, and it's got me thinking: will a Buccaneer ever make the cover? Last year's cover featured Vince Young, and in previous years, players like Ray Lewis, Michael Vick and Shaun Alexander have graced the cover.

You can argue pretty persuasively that there's no one on the Bucs' roster with that kind of star power. So, I suppose it's no surprise they've never had a player make the Madden cover and don't figure to this time.

Maybe you feel differently. Is there someone on the roster you'd like to see make the cover? Or, perhaps you feel there's a particular player somewhere else in the league who is particularly deserving. Either way, let's hear it.

In the meantime, I'll be working on my rehab. Also, click here for the EA Sports Madden site.

Comments

[DrIsmail]

That's a great thought.. I can't think of a Buc that would have the star-power to be on the cover... however did you know that TWO Bucs have won the Madden Bowl in the past?
Alex Smith of course... and .. drum roll..

Jacquez Green

[DrIsmail]

I think the guy who had the NATIONAL spotlight the most...

Maybe Simeon Rice, Warren Sapp?

But defensive players never get highlighted.

Bah, interesting conversation nonetheless.. thanks!
http://Bucs.DrIsmail.com <-- latest bucs news, all year round

[Jay]

My Favorite Player - Mr. Derrick Brooks.

Maybe a few years back, Warren Sapp.

But I still think T.O. deserves the cover, either because of his talent, or the impending curse.

[Stephen Holder]

That's messed up Jay, you wishing the curse on T.O. But very funny nonetheless.

[Sean P]

Haven't you heard of the curse? For that reason alone, I hope a Buc NEVER makes it on. Look what it did to Mike Vick and Shaun Alexander.
(FYI: Sapp was on the cover of ESPN's old NFL game several years ago.)

[NicK H.]

I think if a Buc were to make the cover it would have to be Warrick Dunn,Joey Galloway or Jeff Garcia . But since it is unlikely I kNOW DEvin HESTER deserved it last year(rookie) , now he deserves it this year.

[mm]

Adrian Peterson would be my guess as to who gets it this year. I hope he doesn't though cause I crushed everyone last year in my fantasy league with "All Day"!

[Tom]

Since guys who make the Madden cover have a reversal of fortune that year, I would nominate Sammy Davis for the cover. Maybe his career can change, for the better. However, that would be the only thing he could cover.

[DR]

The only person I could think of making the cover in Bucs history would be Brooks. All around class guy and football legend. Nobody right now would be on the cover.
Using Jay's logic, I would like to see Tom Brady, Randy Moss, and Bellichick on the cover. Let the curse take them all out! Put Goodell and Gene Upshaw on the bottom corners as well!
Nick, Hester was in his second year last year.

[DR]

Stephen, got a question off of this blog. What do you think about the Spygate scandal as it is right now? Do you think all this time "negotiating" was about legal protection or about the right amount of hush money?
Goodell and the Patriots have a lot to lose if this guy is telling the truth. In my opinion, Goodell has a conflict of interest in this matter. I would hope he is not the only person dealing with this matter.

[Geo]

They will choose someone who will help them sell the game and someone willing to have their picture on the cover for the money they are offering.

With that in mind, my 3 finalists will be.

Randy Moss
Adrian Peterson
LaDainian Tomlinson

[JJ]

I've heard Eli Manning is going to be on this year's cover. I'm not a fan of him or the Giants but that's what I've heard.

[Quentin]

The player on the cover is supposed to not only have star power, but also play a position that's being overhauled for the game. If you can find out what the new features are, you can make a decent guess as to who makes the cover. I think the year Ray Lewis made it was when they introduced Hit Stick, then with McNabb they introduced Quarterback Vision/Precision Passing, and Alexander coincided with the Highlight Stick. Vince Young is a bit more dubious seeing as the only real change was the player roles, but it still fits. Maybe this year they'll put Bill Belichick on the cover and finally fix the next-gen versions' horrible play calling system that lets you see what play your opponent's picking.

[derek]

warren sapp was on the espn cover awhile back and not many people may remember but mike alstott was on some game cover a long time back for ps1... heres more longtime info on the madden covers http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madden_curse

[Stephen_Holder]

DR, as to your Spygate question, I think it's impossible for us to know at this point what's really being discussed. But I will say this: unless the league is certain beyond the shadow of a doubt that Walsh won't ever tell all, they better be up front with whatever info he shares. Otherwise, when he inevitably writes a book (do we have any doubt that's coming) the league is going to be exposed for trying to bury this stuff.

[DR]

I just got an insiders hint that the new Madden game will have an addition to the training camp part. It's going to be like GTA. You can take your players into the city and wreak havic. Rob stores, point guns at people, drive around drunk, murder, make it rain at strip clubs, run a dog fighting ring, and much much more. You will boost your players rating with the bigger felonies you get away with, but watch out, if you get caught, you could lose your player for the season!