Madden Jinx on “Rookie” Diffculty

Each August, one of football’s most revered traditions is given fresh life by the release of the latest installment in the “Madden” series: The Madden cover jinx.  For anyone who is blind and deaf, comatose, or successful in life, the Madden Jinx is a well documented (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madden_curse) phenomenon that began in 1999 when Garrison Hearst (no, not Hearse…remember him?) was punished for a breakout ‘98 campaign by being put on the cover of Madden ‘99. When the game was released Hearst was immediately snake bitten.  And by that, I mean an actual snake attacked his knees.  Look it up.  In any case, Hearst’s career was absolutely tanked by Madden ‘99.  He went from looking like Marshall Faulk to Marshall Faulk in 2006.  The Madden Jinx has been tested every year since then, and has held up time and time again.  It’s like Final Destination, no one can escape it.  I think  the Jinx felt threatened by the fact that is didn’t totally sink Michael Vick, and decided to kick him in the balls one more time this summer for good measure.

The reason I bring this up is that someone at EA must really want to keep the streak alive.  Vince Young graces the cover of Madden ‘08, and was doomed to a poor sophomore year long before being singled out by the most ruthless curse in professional sports.

The first reason is because the NFL, more than any other sport, is influenced by coaching adjustments.  Young was a secret weapon last year, kept in the shadows for the first 3 games of the season.  With no game tape on a running QB, opposing coaches couldn’t quite get a handle on Young, who made key plays with his legs to bring fire to an underrated squad.  Even with the advantage of surprise on his side, Young managed only a sub-Vick 66.7 passer rating.  This year will see coaches and players having memorized hours of Vince Young’s tendencies.  Needless to say, I don’t like Young’s chances against the AFC’s stellar defenses when they are fully prepared.  I like his odds even less when I consider he’ll have much less help than last year from the skill positions.

Young was able to scramble last year for three reasons: the Titans line, Travis Henry, and Drew Bennett.  Well, two of those three factors have been removed from the equation, and replaced by lesser parts.  Young will now rely on LenDale White, who looks more like George Foreman than Eddie George. If fatty fatso can’t carry the load, then it’s up to Chris Brown, who is even more ordinary than his name suggests.  He’s quick, soft, and injury prone….just the type of guy that will convince defenses to choke the box, right?  At the WR spot, Bennett was very underrated; a legitimate number one receiver.  Now Eric Moulds, who recently cast a ballot in Chicago, and David Givens, who was a spotty performer when Tom Brady threw to him will have to open up the middle for Young to run, because he has yet to prove he can get it done with his arm.

In short, expect the Madden Jinx’s stock to rise, and Young’s to fall, but don’t give the curse too much credit. It went with the easy pick this year.

Tyler