Well, it's been announced that the new cover boy for Madden is.................

Brett Farve. Congratulations, even though he is retired. So... does this mean that the Madden Curse took it's effect early because Farve retired or is it broken? Of course, Farve could come out of retirement and have a horrid season, but now I'm starting to doubt that will happen.

Garrison Hearst (1999)

Garrison Hearst was the first player to ever be featured solo on a Madden cover, appearing on Madden NFL 99. Hearst's 1998 season was the best of his career, rushing for 1,570 yards and seven touchdowns. He led the San Francisco 49ers to the playoffs and a wild card win over the Green Bay Packers, but on the first play of the divisional game versus the Atlanta Falcons, he suffered a bad ankle break and his team would go on to lose the game. He did not play again until 2001.

(It is worth noting that there are two versions of the Madden NFL '99 cover, one with an image of Hearst--primarily on European market PAL versions--and the more common one in North America with John Madden's image.)

Dorsey Levens (2000)

Dorsey Levens emerged as one of the premier running backs in football in 1997, rushing for over 1,400 yards and he also got into voted to the Pro Bowl. However, he injured his knee during the 1998 season and was never quite the same. He gained over 1,000 yards for the Green Bay Packers in the 1999 season, but was mostly used in a reserve role for the next two years. Levens was released by the team in 2001, used sparingly in a back-up role with the Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants after that, and was essentially out of football by the end of 2004.

(Levens was the cover athlete for the European PAL versions of Madden NFL 2000.)

Eddie George (2001)

Eddie George, then of the Tennessee Titans, who graced the Madden NFL 2001 box, is often said to be the first 'cursed' player, if only covers of North American releases with solo shots of a player "count". Running counter to a curse, for the year that he was on the cover, he had career highs in yardage and touchdowns. Curse advocates point to the 2001 season following his appearance on the cover, during which he averaged only 3 yards per carry and rushed for career lows of 939 yards and 5 touchdowns due to a nagging toe injury that bothered him the entire season. For the rest of his career, he never averaged more than 3.4 yards per carry.

George's curse can be argued to have started the year he was on the cover because in the 2001 AFC Divisional Playoff game George had a costly fumble that lost the game for Tennessee. He also fumbled 8 times during the 2000 regular season, losing a career high 4 fumbles. In a playoff game against the Ravens, Eddie George bobbled a pass that was intercepted by Ray Lewis who ran it back for a touchdown for the eventual winning score.

Daunte Culpepper (2002)

Former Minnesota Vikings star quarterback Daunte Culpepper appeared on the Madden NFL 2002cover after throwing for nearly 4,000 yards and 33 touchdowns while rushing for 470 yards and 7 more scores in the 2000 season. However, Culpepper struggled with turnovers in the first 11 games of the 2001 season, throwing 13 interceptions and only 14 touchdown passes. A back injury ended his season in the 11th game.

Marshall Faulk (2003)

Running back Marshall Faulk of the St. Louis Rams, who was on the Madden NFL 2003 cover, suffered an ankle injury, missing five games. He did amass nearly 1,600 total yards (953 rushing) and 10 touchdowns in limited time in 2002; however, it was a steep decline from his 2,000 yard and 21 touchdown campaign of 2001. He never broke through the 1,000 yards rushing mark for the rest of his career. 2002 was also a dismal year for the Rams as a team as they finished with a 7-9 record, coming off of a strong 14-2 season that led to a Super Bowl appearance the year before.

Michael Vick (2004)

Five days after Madden NFL 2004was released, which featured Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick on the cover, he was injured during a preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens, suffering a fractured right fibula. Vick played in only the last 5 regular season games, finishing with just 585 yards passing and 4 touchdowns. The Atlanta Falcons missed the playoffs and were already out of contention by the time Vick returned from his injury. The Falcons finished the season with a record of 5-11, a drop from their 9-6-1 record the season prior.

Ray Lewis (2005)

Madden NFL 2005 featured Ray Lewis of the Baltimore Ravens, the first defensive player ever to appear on the cover of a Madden game. It was Lewis' first season without a single interception, after posting a career-high 6 the previous year, although interceptions are a secondary statistic for linebackers. He recorded 147 tackles in 15 games played, breaking his arm in week 15 and missing week 17. The Baltimore Ravens also failed to make the playoffs that season after winning their division the year before.

Donovan McNabb (2006)

QB Donovan McNabb, who was featured on the cover of Madden NFL 06, led the Philadelphia Eagles to Super Bowl XXXIX with a 13-3 regular season record to face the New England Patriots. He ended 2004 throwing just shy of 4,000 yards and throwing for 31 passing touchdowns with only 8 interceptions. He also rushed for an additional 3 TDs. However, during the 2005-2006 season, in which he was on the Madden cover, McNabb suffered a sports hernia, but elected to play until after the November 14th game against the Dallas Cowboys. During this game, McNabb was knocked down after an interception return by Roy Williams, aggravating the injury. The same year after gracing the Madden cover he also lost his wide receivers Freddie Mitchell and Terrell Owens. He then elected to have a season-ending surgery that was required to repair the injury.

Shaun Alexander (2007)

Seahawks RB Shaun Alexander, who appeared on the cover of Madden NFL 07, had one of the best statistical seasons ever in the 2005-2006 season, as he rushed for 1,880 yards and scored what was a record 28 total touchdowns (27 rushing). Alexander, who had missed one start in his previous 64 contests, fractured the 4th metatarsal in his foot after he was on the cover. He missed six starts and failed to rush for 1,000 yards for the first time since 2000. Additionally, his touchdown record from the previous year was broken by LaDainian Tomlinson, who scored 31 touchdowns in 16 games. After his 2007 season, he was released from the Seahawks.

Vince Young (2008 )

Tennessee Titans QB Vince Young, who appeared on the cover of Madden 08, threw 2,456 yards with 9 passing touchdowns and 17 interceptions in the season of his cover appearance. Barring a drop in just two of his main statistical passing categories, Young improved on every other category from his rookie year, as well as being the spearhead in the achievement of the Titans' first playoff berth in four years. Despite making the playoffs for the first time since 2003, Young was injured just one game of the season at Houston due to a quadricep injury.

Luis Castillo (2008 )

San Diego Chargers DE Luis Castillo appeared on the cover of the first-ever Spanish language version of Madden NFL 08. Castillo, during the 2007 NFL season, suffered an ankle injury that forced him to miss six games. Likewise, his stats from the season before, where he also only played in ten games, showed a statistical drop in virtually every defensive category.

Micheal Wilbon (2008 )

In late December, Pardon the Interruption co-host Michael Wilbon put himself on the cover of Madden 08 to prove that the Madden Curse didn't exist. A month later, Wilbon suffered a heart attack, causing him to miss a week of shows.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=VHhN77xf8AU&feature=related

Saturday, on ESPN, is the UNC/Duke game, one of the greatest rivalries of all-time. Duke won the previous meeting earlier this year. Sadly, I think they will win again, to my chagrin. UNC just haven't played enough ranked opponents like they did last year to have me convinced, plus Ty Lawson is still not healthy.

But, I still will show my opinion of Duke: Music Video

10. Yoshi Story(N64)

I actually enjoyed this game more than I thought I would. It was Christmas of 1998. A rarity for a child my age at that time (9 years old), I didn't really want anything, so my did dad took me to Toys 'R' Us, and I picked this game over Lamborgini.

Btw, no Mario in this game.

9. Super Mario Sunshine (Gamecube)

Got it in 2001, good storyline and colorful, bright graphics. The camera angles got on my nerves though.

8. Sonic Adventure 2 Battle (Gamecube)

Fun, loved the Knuckles storyline and the scene breaks. The music was cool,too.

7. Pokemon Silver (Gameboy Color)

In my opinion, the best in the series, maybe it was because of the Typlosion that I owned at the end of the game.

6. Super Mariokart(SNES)/ Sonic Heroes(Gamecube)

Yes, I played this game when I was six with my dad, I beat him about 95% of the time .

As for SOnic Heroes, it fun. I enjoyed the Shadow the Hedgehog storykline the most. Very underrated, in my opinion.

5. Grand Theft Auto: Vice City/ Gran Turismo 2 (PS2)

Everyone loves to randomly shoot down people on occasion, right. In the video game that is, this one is my current favorite in the GTA series.

Gran Turismo 2 was the best in the series so far, it had the most cars and more enjoyable than 3 or 4.

4. Donkey Kong Country (SNES)

How could you not love Donkey Kong Country? The gameplay was simple, yet the game was long. I still dream about the Runaway Railcar level.

3. Super Mario 64 (N64)/Super Smash Brothers (N64)

I guess I'm an 18-year old Mario fanboy, huh? I'm not the only one. Best selling and highest N64 game of all time.

Super Smash is extremely hectic in it's gameplay. Very entertaining with more than one person. The marketing for it was funny as hell. Check out the commercial: Super Smash Brothers Commercial. That's my current avatar right now.

2. Mariokart 64 (N64)

This what made Mariokarts popular, more characters, better graphics, more interesting tracks, and hectic 4-player gameplay. Best if played with friends.

1. Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door (Gamecube)/Paper Mario (N64)

My favorite of all-time, It's practically overflowing with wonderful, funny characters, memorable subplots, inventive gameplay, and beautiful visuals, and it's lengthy and challenging as hell. Don't let the cute graphics fool you.

Sleeper Game that did make the list:

Inuyasha & the Secret of the Cursed Mask (PS2)

Game that is out that I would like to play:

Super Paper Mario/ Super Mario Galaxy (Wii)

Duh, but I don't have a Wii

Games coming out soon that I want or want to play.

Grand Theft Auto IV (PS3) scheduled for release April 29, 2008.

Mariokart Wii (Wii) scheduled for release sometime in middle April, 2008.

There you go, don't tattle on me with all the pictures, but I wanted to show visuals. It won't happen again.

I'm not going to say any names....

Last semester, I moved to an apartment complex that gave discounts to students right across the street from campus. Everything was going good, until about the beginning of January. I happen to have a lesbian couple rooming right next to me, at least one of them is a student because she's in my Drama class. She's a pretty girl.

Now, I have no problem with that, but...... the more 'feminine' one in the relationship is getting her ass whooped. I would hear them arguing, then I would heavy things fall, then I think I would hear fist on flesh, then soft crying if I get nosey and strain.

To make matters worst, one night the recipient knocked on my door and asked if she could stay in my apartment for a little while. I may not like getting into these situations but I couldn't say no. She had a mean-looking briuse on her eye, I gave her an ice-pack for that. She left after an hour.

The thing is, I don't know why she doesn't fight back. It's not like the other girl is masculine-looking. In fact, she's only about an inch or two taller than the her, maybe a couple pounds more, not enough for a decisive advantage. Call the police or something.

I think I'm going to move back to the dorms on campus, I was wondering why the room on the opposite side was vacant.

One more thing, do I sound cold-hearted.....

On this day two years ago, James "Dilla" Yancey (from Detroit, MI) died after a life-long battle from TTB, a rare blood disease. He was dubbed "your favorite producer's favorite producer" due to his popularity among mainstream producers such as Common, Kanye West, and ?uestlove. His music was different, having been known for his unique sound.

Here's his life story in four minutes. (Dilla made that beat called, "The Donuts of the Heart")

If you've ever seen the Adult Swim on Catoon Network, you would know that many of those intermissions are Dilla projects.

J. Dilla's Discography

• 1997 Slum Village - Fan-Tas-Tic
• 2000 Slum Village - Fantastic, Vol. 2
• 2000 Slum Village - Best Kept Secret EP
• 2001 Jay Dee - Welcome 2 Detroit
• 2003 Jaylib - Champion Sound
• 2003 J Dilla - Ruff Draft EP
• 2005 J Dilla - Jay Love Japan
• 2006 J Dilla - Donuts
• 2006 J Dilla - The Shining
• 2007 Jay Dee - Jay Deelicious: The Delicious Vinyl Years

J Dilla Week:

J. Dilla- Nothing Like This

J. Dilla- Won't Do

Common- So Far to Go(produced by J. Dilla)

J Dilla- The Police

Common- It's Your World(Produced by J Dilla)

Common- The Light(Produced by J Dilla)

J Dilla- Unnamed Intrusmental

J. Dilla- Think Twice

J Dilla- Lightworking

J Dilla- Baby

J Dilla- Mash(Instrumental)

Personality Defect Test

This is one of the most accurate tests I've ever taken. I suggest you take it, it's good stuff. Skip the 'Totally Optional' Section, please.

If you want a congratulations for me, Giants fans, go to the WWE Raw off-topic board, because I'm not doing it again. Plaxico Burress: "Nobody gave us a chance". This is why I hate the Giants, with a passion. They b*tch an moan about how they got no respect this year. Well,you were average this regular season, the criticism was warranted, so just shut the f*ck up and play. You didn't hear the Steelers complaining about it in 2005, and they had a harder road than the Giants.

Now, I have to hear the '72 Dolphins for another year.

Sorry to all you non-bandwagon fans, I just don't like motor-mouths.

_______________________________________

Rap Song of the Week: Tribe Called Quest- Bonita Applebum

Rock Song of the Week: Mudvayne- Dig

R&B Song of the Week: Ginwine- So Anxious

J Dilla Song of the Week: J Dilla-Won't Do

(Rest in Beats)

Parody Song of the Week: Peter Rosenburg- Bowlin'

Techno Song of the Week: Gary Numan- Cars

Cl@ssic

Pop Song of the Week: Timbaland- We You Are

Dilla the Dude's Song of the Week: TV on The Radio- Province