Shaun Alexander to Front EA's Madden NFL 07

[fitbabits]

Check out IGN (http://www.ign.com) for the skinny (http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/702/702550p1.html).

April 20, 2006 - It's official. League most valuable player and record-breaking running back Shaun Alexander of the Seattle Seahawks will grace the cover of Madden NFL 07, EA's critically acclaimed football title to be released in August on all major platforms.

Madden 07 focuses strongly on the running game, said the development team at EA Tiburon, and Alexander, with his record-setting 27 rushing touchdowns in 2006, is the perfect fit.

"To be on the cover of Madden NFL 07 is a big milestone in my career since I have always been a huge fan of this franchise," said Alexander. "EA Sports is focusing on the running game in this year's version, so I was honored when I was chosen to be on the cover to represent the improved running game."

Alexander also rushed for a league-high 1,880 yards, helping his fantasy football owners around the world to outstanding seasons. Alexander also continued his amazing prowess at getting the ball into the endzone; 2006 marked the fifth season he has scored at least 15 TDs in a season, an NFL record.

Of course, the All Pro from the University of Alabama will have to contend with the "Madden Curse." After being featured on the cover of Madden, Marshall Faulk suffered his least productive season as a member of the St. Louis Rams; Michael Vick missed 11 games because of injury; Donavan McNabb missed five game because of injury and also suffered through a team-crippling feud with receiver Terrell Owens.
So there. This year is all about the running game. And Shaun Alexander is the cover athlete. Damn, EA - it all makes sense.

BTW, how can something that's not even been released be 'critically acclaimed'?

[bone_matrix]

BTW, how can something that's not even been released be 'critically acclaimed'?[/I]

Well, I didn't really pay attention in English class, but as far as I know, it cannot be critically acclaimed.

Then again, when you are the only NFL game in town, you can suck hardcore, and still be the best around.

[The Continental]

The running game has always been the strong suit of Madden in my opinion. I really hope they don't get gimicky and introduce something as lame as last year's QB vision. Something more along the lines of the truck stick, and less like NFL2K's arcadey charge up button.

[GreenIce]

so much for the seahawks next year :(

[netcraazzy]

Isn't there some urban legend that the player featured on the Madden cover will end up having a shitty season or get hurt or something? I don't really follow sports games so I could just be pulling this out of my ass...

[netcraazzy]

so much for the seahawks next year :(

Oh, is the belief that the player's team will suck that year?

[Busted_Astromech]

BTW, how can something that's not even been released be 'critically acclaimed'?

Considering that they'll be getting the same game for review as they did last year, I think it's an easy prediction to make.

/snark

[Wolfgang]

so much for the seahawks next year :(

Yup there goes my Seahawks. I guess no repeat trip :( I wonder if the Seahawks knew about this deal before they resigned him? :) I would put it in my contract -- "You can not appear on the cover of a football game"

[fitbabits]

Isn't there some urban legend that the player featured on the Madden cover will end up having a shitty season or get hurt or something? I don't really follow sports games so I could just be pulling this out of my ass...
That would be the infamous Madden Curse. For more information, click here (http://fantom1979.homeip.net/madden.html).

[netcraazzy]

That would be the infamous Madden Curse. For more information, click here (http://fantom1979.homeip.net/madden.html).

Doh! I see that it was mentioned in the quote. I should really finish reading those things before posting. :o

[ldi222]

Looks like I wont be drafting him on my fantasy team.

[MajSheppard]

I'll take every opportunity to remind people to continue the boycott on Madden. You should keep the free market going, not aid unfair practices and price fixing. EA is evil, never forget that.

[agentgray]

That would be the infamous Madden Curse. For more information, click here (http://fantom1979.homeip.net/madden.html).
I'm glad it's just Madden. I thought it was any EA sports game.

My buddy Albert Pujols was on the 2004 cover of MPV. He got the league MVP the following year. GO figure.

[RMan]

BTW, how can something that's not even been released be 'critically acclaimed'?
EA buys their acclaim in advance.

[KarmaGhost]

Part of me is upset that the losers of the Super Bowl get one of their players on the cover of Madden; used to be only the winners got such an "honor." But, seeing as it's EA and it's Madden (what with the "curse" and poor gameplay and all), I'm not feeling so bad. :)

[bjornbarspingvinen]

Madden still has alot to steal from NFL2k series, but soon they will run out of things to steal. Madden is so friggin boring compared to NFL2k5.

[GreenIce]

Part of me is upset that the losers of the Super Bowl get one of their players on the cover of Madden; used to be only the winners got such an "honor." But, seeing as it's EA and it's Madden (what with the "curse" and poor gameplay and all), I'm not feeling so bad.

Since when? When Eddie George, Daunte Culpepper, Marshall Faulk, Micheal Vick, Ray Lewis, And donovan McNabb were on the covers (which if you are keeping score is eveyone but Madden himself) they were not being 'honored' for being on superbowl winning teams the previous year. Way to find a way to bash on the seahawks for having a player on the cover of a game box though.

[if76]

They're focusing on the running game? You'd think for a series that makes such small incremental improvment they could focus on the running game AND the passing game AND the defense AND special teams. It's not like they have to develop a WHOLE NEW GAME.

[phantomhitman]

The running game is not strong in madden, it never was. You can use it, but it was never fun or better than airing it out. For top form atheletes that run 4.3 40s the game sure makes them feel like a pile of dogshit moving backwards. The cheese of madden is the air attack, always was and always will be. Madden needs to bump up cornerback speed/defense/skill or something. I absolutely hate Madden, always have and always will. BUT, their college franchise is actually pretty nice.

[vivafletcher]

They're still making these? You'd think after the '06 disaster somebody would have pulled the plug.

Behold the awesome power of fanboys!!

[doubtingthomas]

They're still making these? You'd think after the '06 disaster somebody would have pulled the plug.

Behold the awesome power of fanboys!!

Are you retarded? You'd think after selling a billion copies you'd want to make another?

Also, I think the press release was implying the franchise was critically acclaimed, not specifically the 07 version. I could be wrong about that.

[AzN.Homeboy]

That's probably what they meant, but the way they worded it, it's referring to the specific title.

I never liked Madden when it made the transition to 3D. EA somehow finds a way to continually make players feel like they're running in quicksand.

Also, I found NFK2k5's running game to be infinitely better than Madden. The charge button doesn't seem arcadey to me, you're trading the speed you could be getting from mashing the sprint button to get power and right angle to pull off a move. If you do it right, you can usually break a tackle, but even that's not guaranteed. Plus, there's 2k5's whole "gang tackling" thing, where even if you start to shed a tackle, you're slowed a lot and another defender could come over and level you. Unlike Madden (at least the last version I played), where it's still, once an animation starts, you can't get tackled until it's over.