SideLion Report » Donovan McNabb

It’s Time to Put the Madden Curse to Rest

Zac Snyder — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 10:30:28 +0000

The second round of voting to determine who will appear on the cover of Madden 13 continues until April 4. When it was announced that Calvin Johnson had advanced to the second round, Lions fans started expressing a variety of opinions on whether or not they wanted him to receive such an honor because of the “Madden curse”.

The Madden video game started featuring players on the cover of US versions with Madden 2001. Since that time, some feel a trend has developed in which bad things happen to the players whose images appear on the game’s cover. The Madden curse theory is now so ingrained in the landscape of NFL fandom that 66% of Lions fans in a recent poll said they don’t want to see Calvin Johnson on the cover of Madden 13.

Is the Madden curse really something to be concerned with? As it turns out, not surprisingly, no.

At this point you have two choices as a Lions fan. One, just go vote for Calvin Johnson over Arian Foster to move on in the cover tournament. Two, read through whatever portion of the next 2,000 words you need to come to your senses and conquer your irrational fears of the Madden curse and then go vote for Calvin Johnson.

Here’s the real story behind all 12 Madden covers. (more…)

Five Things in Review: Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings

Zac Snyder — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 13:00:31 +0000

I picked five things to watch that might help tell the story of the Lions-Vikings game. Let’s take a look at those five things in review to see how they played out.

1. Busting Big Ones
Adrian Peterson got loose for a 43-yard gain in the first quarter and while that was the kind of big gainers I would have like to see the Lions not give up, they were at least able to minimize the damage. The drive in which AP busted out for the 43-yarder ended with just a field goal and he gained just 35 yards with his other carries on the day. Limiting Adrian Peterson played a big part in keeping the game within striking distance. (more…)

Five Things to Watch: Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings

Zac Snyder — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 16:00:47 +0000

Welcome to this week’s edition of Five Things to Watch. These five things aren’t necessarily keys to the game or important matchups but they are five aspects of the game to watch that might help tell the game’s story line.

1. Busting Big Ones
Adrian Peterson is a freak combination of speed and power. That can’t be shut down completely (unless he reverts to the guy with fumbling problems) but giving up a 100 yard day to AP won’t necessarily spell doom for the Lions perfect start to the season. What they need to avoid is letting Peterson bust the long runs to force the Vikings to use other players to drive down the field. (more…)