With each day that passes, it looks less and less likely that we will see a tournament for the Madden 15 cover vote. There could be a small bracket, but nothing like the 64 player 2 month long tournament that we’ve had in previous Madden NFL games.
Picking the cover athlete to a big sports franchise like Madden 15 is a science. EA Sports knows that picking the wrong athlete to put on their cover could spark a backlash. As silly as it sounds, some people will make their purchasing decision for Madden NFL 15 based in part on the cover. So even if they can sell .1% more games by choosing a marketable cover athlete, it is something that will make a significant impact on their bottom line considering they sell millions of copies each year.
The Madden 25 covers featured Barry Sanders for PS3 and XBOX 360 and Adrian Peterson on XBOX One and PlayStation 4. That was probably a subtle reference to next generation vs. past generation consoles. In doing so, however, they really limited who they could choose for the Madden 15 cover. They can’t go old school, and they can’t go running back now. Doing so would hint at a repeat of last years game. That is the last thing EA Sports wants to do considering they constantly have to deflect criticism that each new game is no more than a roster update for the last.
Any player who has had any sort of controversy around them doesn’t stand a chance either. That takes out more big name players like Ben Roethlisberger, Von Miller, Rob Gronkowski, Aldon Smith, Dez Bryant and Justin Blackmon just to name a few.
Calvin Johnson was on the Madden 13 cover so he is out of the running as well. There are plenty of talented receivers in the NFL but none nearly as marketable as Megatron. The only real legitimate contenders at receiver would be guys like A.J. Green or Julio Jones but even those guys are a long shot.
This leaves us with either quarterbacks or defense. Guys like Tom Brady and Peyton Manning will never be on the cover. For some reason they are never even in the cover vote. Maybe they make enough endorsement money already or maybe they want to stay far away from the Madden curse.
The smart money would be on a new school quarterback like Russell Wilson, Andrew Luck, Cam Newton or Robert Griffin III. It also isn’t out of the realm of possibility that they go with a fan favorite like J.J. Watt. A young defensive leader like Patrick Willis or Richard Sherman could also make the Madden 15 cover.
No matter what they decide to do, the cover athlete should be announced relatively soon. Who do you want to see on the Madden 15 cover? Let us know in the comments section below.
nick “nickfolean dynamite” foles!
Go with Defense. Madden 15 should focus on changing the game defensively. My pick would be Sherman. My team, my player.
Choose troy polamalu one of the most explosive player in the nfl he is also the best strong safety in the nfl today.
If you actually think Troy is the best strong safety in today’s NFL then you are clearly a Steeler’s fan haha. Thats the only way you could think that, you’re biased.
My Handicapping: Smart money is on Russell Wilson. 50% chance. Watt and Willis at 12% a piece. Richard Sherman at 10% because, unfairly, he is viewed as “controversial.” That leaves 16% chance it’s someone else.
Also, Wilson is still under his rookie contract and could use the sponsorship money more than other candidates. This could make negotiations easier for EA.
If they go with another young quarterback, the only other possible, not probable, option would be Cam Newton because of his dynamic, fun style of play. Kaepernick doesn’t bring anything to the table that Wilson doesn’t have, so he will not be cover boy. Luck is in about the same boat as Kaepernick as far as public perception.
I like Jimmy Graham as a dark horse option above all the receivers.
Russell Wilson is probably the best pick for this year’s. Colin Kaepernick would also make sense, as would Cam Newton and Andrew Luck. All had great years in 2013. Robert Griffin III should not be a consideration because he did not play the entire year.
I think Jimmy Graham should also be an option.
As for defense, Richard Sherman could be an option but if they make decisions based on sales, I would bet that they could lose sales with Sherman on the cover. He has way too many (strong) haters.
Patrick Willis makes sense, but I think NaVorro Bowman makes better sense after the year he just had. Luke Kuechly makes even more sense.
Overall, I think it should go in this order:
1. Russell Wilson
2. Colin Kaepernick
3. Andrew Luck
4. Cam Newton
5. Luke Kuechly
6. Earl Thomas
7. Jimmy Graham
8. Marshawn Lynch
The obvious answer this year has got to be Russell Wilson. But if he declines or they feel otherwise, I would put Kaepernick or Luck on there. If they are concerned about Kaepernick’s off-field questions this offseason, Luck is an awesome choice to put in there. Newton has an incredible case this year as well. My take? All four of them will be on the cover eventually.