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The Madden Curse - Is it Real or Coincidence?

HarleyJane — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 12:36:57 +0000

The Madden Curse - We’ve all heard about it. But does it hold any weight or is it all just sheer coincidence?

The Madden Curse basically goes like this, whoever is on the cover of Madden, that athlete will not have a good year on the football field. Some people really believe that the Madden Curse is real. Although most athletes acknowledge that being on the cover of Madden is an honor, none of them will speak on the legitimacy of the Curse.

Let’s take a look at those who have graced the cover of Madden.

Madden 2000 - BARRY SANDERS

Technically, Barry Sanders is NOT the main image on the cover, John Madden is the main image. Barry Sanders is only featured slightly in the background.

However, this hasn’t stopped the believers of the Madden Curse. They claim that because soon after being on the cover of Madden 2000, Barry Sanders abruptly announced his retirement from the game of football, therefore, he was cursed. In fact, he didn’t even play a single game during the 1999-2000 season.

Did Barry Sanders have another season left in him?

Barry Sanders - Stats During ‘Cursed’ Seasons:

	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999
Games:	16	16	16	16	N/A
Rushing Yards:	1,500	1,553	2,053	1,491	N/A
Rushing Avg:	4.8	5.1	6.1	4.3	N/A
Receiving Yards:	398	147	305	289	N/A
Touchdowns:	12	11	14	4	N/A

Madden 2001 - EDDIE GEORGE

The season before Eddie George appeared on the cover of Madden, he put up career numbers with the Tennessee Titans.

In the year 2001, the same year Eddie George was on the cover of Madden, he had a recurring toe injury that plagued him throughout the entire season. He set career-lows for rushing that same season. It’s easy to say that this was not his best season.

Eddie George - Stats During ‘Cursed’ Seasons:

	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003
Games:	16	16	16	16	16	16	16
Rushing Yards:	1,399	1,294	1,304	1,509	939	1,165	1,031
Rushing Avg:	3.9	3.7	4.1	3.7	3.0	3.4	3.3
Receiving Yards:	44	310	458	453	279	255	163
Total Touchdowns:	7	6	13	16	5	14	5

Madden 2002 - DAUNTE CULPEPPER

A recurring back injury kept Dante Culpepper out for part of the season he was on the Madden Cover.

Dante Culpepper’s overall stats were down, mostly due to the four games he was out because of the back injury. He threw 19 less TD’’s & approximately 1,300 yards less than the season before. Some critics would even say that Culpepper never quite rebounded from that back injury, ~~as he never put up big numbers again~~. despite the fact that statistically, his best year was in 2004.

Daunte Culpepper - Stats From Cursed Seasons:

	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006
Games:	16	11	16	14	16	7	4
Passing Yards:	3,937	2,612	3,853	3,479	4,717	1,564	929
Interceptions:	16	13	23	11	11	12	3
Total Touchdowns:	40	19	28	29	41	7	3
QB Rating:	98.0	83.3	75.3	96.4	110.9	72.0	77.0

Madden 2003 - MARSHALL FAULK

The year that Marshall Faulk was on the cover of Madden, the St. Louis Ram’s were riddled with injuries, including his quarterback Kurt Warner.

While Faulk did not suffer any injuries, his overall stats were down, accounting for his worst NFL season since 1996. It’s easy to see that if his team was at 100% Faulk would’ve had a much better year!

Marshall Faulk - Stats During ‘Cursed’ Seasons:

	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005
Games:	16	14	14	14	11	14	16
Rushing Yards:	1,381	1,359	1,382	953	818	774	292
Rushing Avg:	5.5	5.4	5.3	4.5	3.9	4.0	4.5
Receiving Yards:	1,048	830	765	537	290	310	291
Total Touchdowns:	12	26	21	10	11	4	1

Madden 2004 - MICHAEL VICK

The supposed Madden Curse struck Michael Vick the worst. The season prior to being on the Madden cover, Michael Vick put up the best stats of his career.

One week after Madden 2004 debuted with him on the cover, he broke his leg during a preseason game. Vick was never able to reach the platform he once had. As we all know now, his football career went on a downward spiral ever since. He is currently spending his time in prison for “criminal conspiracy resulting from felonious dog fighting”.

Michael Vick - Stats During ‘Cursed’ Seasons:

	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007
Games:	8	15	5	15	15	16	-
Passing Yards:	785	2,936	585	2,313	2,412	2,474	J
Interceptions:	3	8	3	12	13	13	A
Total Touchdowns:	3	16	4	15	19	15	I
QB Rating:	62.7	81.6	69.0	78.1	73.1	75.7	L

Madden 2005 - RAY LEWIS

The Madden Curse did not seem to affect Ray Lewis too much.

Ray Lewis managed to put up career numbers the season he was on the cover of Madden, although his stats were down from the prior season. Due to an injury, he only missed one game during the season he was supposed to be afflicted by the Madden Curse. This was also the season Ray Lewis was found not guilty of drug charges.

Ray Lewis - Stats During ‘Cursed’ Seasons:

	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007
Games:	16	5	16	15	4	14	14
Total Tackles:	162	58	163	147	46	103	121
Sacks:	3.5	0.0	1.5	1.0	1.0	5.0	2.0
Interceptions:	3	2	6	0	1	2	2
Def. Touchdowns:	0	0	1	0	0	0	1

Madden 2006 - DONOVAN McNABB

A year after taking the Eagles to the Superbowl, Donovan McNabb was awarded the cover of Madden 2006.

However, that same year, he was hurt through-out most of the season because of a hernia. His overall stats were down and he threw for more interceptions. McNabb couldn’t regain his ‘Superbowl’ fame, the Eagles finished in last place, and missed the NFL playoffs.

Donovan McNabb - Stats From Cursed Seasons:

	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007
Games:	16	10	16	15	9	10	14
Passing Yards:	3,233	2,289	3,216	3,875	2,507	2,647	3,324
Interceptions:	12	6	11	8	9	6	7
Total Touchdowns:	27	23	19	34	17	21	19
QB Rating:	84.3	86.0	79.6	104.7	85	95.5	89.9

Madden 2007 - SHAUN ALEXANDER

One year after having a GREAT rushing year, breaking the TD record and receiving the MVP award, Shaun Alexander was awarded the cover of Madden 2007.

However, that same season he broke his foot and missed almost half of the season, six games to be exact. Shaun Alexander only put up 896 yards & 3.6 yards per carry, a significatnly lower rushing stats, making it his worst season since his rookie year. and has never been the same runningback since being on the cover of Madden.

Shaun Alexander - Stats From Cursed Seasons:

	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007
Games:	16	16	16	16	16	10	13
Rushing Yards:	1,318	1,175	1,435	1,696	1,880	896	716
Avg Per Carry:	4.3	4.0	4.4	4.8	5.1	3.6	3.5
Total Touchdowns:	16	18	16	20	28	7	5

Madden 2008 - VINCE YOUNG

In his second season in the NFL, Vince Young was featured on the cover of Madden in 2008.

While Vince Young didn’t have a BAD season, he certainly didn’t have a great one. The amount of touchdowns an completed passes dropped, while the amount of interceptions went up. His rushing stats also dropped the same year he was on the cover of Madden.

It must be noted that the Tennessee Titans still managed to make the playoffs while they were supposedly ‘cursed’.

Vince Young - Stats During ‘Cursed’ Seasons:

	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008
Games:	College	at UT	15	15	TBD
Passing Yards:	-	-	2,546	2,199	TBD
Interceptions:	-	-	17	13	TBD
Total Touchdowns:	-	-	19	12	TBD
QB Rating:	-	-	66.7	71.1	TBD

Madden 2009 - Brett Favre

This year, EA Sports decided to go with a RETIRED player on the cover, but Brett Favre ruined that when he announced that he was planning on coming back for one more season.

After some brief drama with the Packers, Favre was reinstated to the NFL. However, the 2009 NFL season isn’t starting off too well for Brett Favre. Since the Packers not want him back, he is starting off the season with a new team, the New York Jets.

Does this signify the beginning of another chapter in the Madden Curse? I guess only time (and Brett Favre) will tell…

Brett Favre - Stats During ‘Cursed’ Seasons:

	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008
Games:	16	16	16	16	16	16	TBD
Passing Yards:	3,658	3,361	4,088	3,881	3,885	4,155	TBD
Interceptions:	16	21	17	29	18	15	TBD
Total Touchdowns:	27	32	30	20	19	28	TBD
QB Rating:	85.6	90.4	92.4	70.9	72.7	95.7	TBD

Click Here to Buy Madden 2009 On Amazon.com

Amazon.com Widgets

Moron Takes Golf Ball to the Stomach

HarleyJane — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 07:25:45 +0000

Why? Why would you do something as stupid as this?

This guy knowingly & willingly stands about 10-15 ft. in front of his buddy who drives a golf-ball as hard as he can into his stomach. The guy then flops around like a fish, screaming in pain.

REALLY?! Did you not think this would hurt? Complete Moron!

YouTube video brought to you by: Golf.

Tracy McGrady Tribute Video - ‘13 Points in 33 Seconds’

HarleyJane — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 03:05:33 +0000

Check out this awesome tribute to Tracy McGrady’s infamous game where he hit 13 points in 33 seconds to beat the San Antonio Spurs at the last moments of the game. What an awesome tribute to Tracy McGrady, one of the most underestimated players in the game!

The source of this T-Mac tribute is a YouTube group called ‘ClutchFans‘. If you are a fan of the Houston Rockets or NBA, this is one YouTube group you want to subscribe too!

TNT Game Footage of Tracy McGrady’s Infamous Game

It’s slightly edited to show the main parts you want to see. But this is actual game footage of Tracy McGrady’s infamous ‘13 Points in 33 Seconds’.

I will never forget watching this game. Go Rockets! Go T-Mac!

John Daly Tee’s Off From A Beer Can

HarleyJane — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 02:51:47 +0000

So, I’m subscribed to the Golf Channel on YouTube, not because I play alot of golf, but because they always put out random videos.

In fact, a few weeks back, I posted a video of a Golf Ball Getting Shot Through a Lava Lamp, which I still think is pretty cool.

The Golf Channel’s latest offbeat video is a short clip of John Daly hitting a golf ball off of a beer can. I kid you know. Check out the video here:

John Daly Tees Off a Beer Can at Pro-Am

Now, I’m not quite sure… but there has been alot of speculation that Kid Rock makes an appearence in this video. In fact, if you read over the comments on the digg submission, there are a few mentions of Kid Rock wearing denim coveralls. I don’t know… maybe, maybe not.

Cool Video. You can read more about John Daly on Wikipedia.

ESPN: Sunday Conversation with Kobe Bryant

HarleyJane — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 15:12:49 +0000

Check out this short clip from ESPN’s Sunday Conversation with Stephen A. Smith. The original date it aired was on 05/31/2008.

He sits down and talks with Kobe Bryant, the three-time world champion, on his rough summer in 2007 and how it feels to make it to the 2008 NBA Finals once again with the Los Angeles Lakers.

I’m not a big Kobe Bryant fan, but after watching this interview and seeing the passion behind his words, I think I gained a little more respect for Kobe as a person… He’s ALWAYS had my respect as an NBA player, just because he’s bad-ass when he’s on the court. Which is probably why he is constantly compared to Michael Jordan.

Random Video’s About ‘The Office’ on YouTube

HarleyJane — Mon, 26 May 2008 10:28:33 +0000

I’m a HUGE fan of ‘The Office’ on NBC. I don’t watch very much television, but I make sure to DVR ‘The Office’ and catch up on it on some random weekend.

If you do a search on YouTube for anything related to ‘The Office’, you will come up with some really random videos.

Like this one directly below, It’s ‘The Office’ Intro Themesong, remixed with the music from the classic TV show ‘Cheers’.

The Office Intro (Cheers Remix)

Here’s another one I found, which cracks me up. It’s an animation, of an actual clip from ‘The Office’. I don’t want to ruin it for you, but it’s a pretty good recreation of Toby’s & Michael’s fued.

The Office - I Hate So Much (Cartoon)

I love everything about ‘The Office’. There are a ton of videos about ‘The Office’ on YouTube, these two are just a couple of my favorites that I decided to post.

Read more about The Office on Wikipedia.

Golf Ball Shot Through Lava Lamp (Slow Motion)

HarleyJane — Thu, 15 May 2008 12:43:37 +0000

Check out this golf video I found on YouTube. They shoot a golf ball through a lava lamp, and film it in slow motion. It’s pretty sweet watching the golf ball slowly pass through the lava lamp.

Project Juice - “Lava Lamp”

It’s obviously a Nike Ad, but who care’s it’s still pretty cool.

Flight of the Conchords - Ladies of the World

HarleyJane — Wed, 14 May 2008 03:43:10 +0000

The Flight of the Conchords, have released their latest music video exclusively to YouTube. The new song from Flight of the Conchords is titled - Ladies of the World.

It’s a pretty cool video of them on roller skates. I’m not sure how much of it is actually them skating, but it’s still pretty cool, nonetheless.

Flight of the Conchords - Ladies of the World

I saw them live in Utah a couple of months ago, and they put on a GREAT show! I wish I could find where I downloaded the video’s from my camera. oh well.

Check out the Flight of the Conchords on Wikipedia.

The Life of a Repo Man

HarleyJane — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 03:24:33 +0000

This is the life of a repo man in the hood. It’s pretty funny how he repo’s stuff. Sometimes he takes his job a little too seriously, especially about 4:30 seconds into the video. Still pretty funny though!

What do you think? Fake or Real?

Fortune Cookie Enlightenment - 02/02/08

HarleyJane — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 21:39:30 +0000

“Be Careful! Bees with honey in their mouths have stings in their tails.”

LUCKY NUMBERS: 41, 38, 32, 31, 36, 42