Kansas City Chiefs: 4 Players That Could Be on the Madden NFL Cover Next Season

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Calvin Johnson, wide receiver for the Detroit Lions, was voted to be on the cover of Madden NFL 13, beating out Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton in the process.

Throughout the history of the video game, there has never been a Kansas City Chief cover boy for the popular series—not that there haven’t been worthy candidates: Priest Holmes, Tony Gonzalez and possibly even Derrick Thomas (as a tribute) could have been worked out.

However, as the Chiefs build towards bringing the franchise back to prominence, there are a few players that could potentially enter the conversation for future cover-boy status.

Here are four Chiefs that could eventually land on the Madden cover.

Jamaal Charles

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Jamaal Charles is one of the most explosive players in the NFL. Although a torn ACL derailed his 2011 season before it could really get going, his 3,352 yards from scrimmage (on 505 touches combined in 2009 and 2010) show just how dangerous he can be out of the backfield.

Although he is not as boisterous as cover boys of the past, Charles has one thing going for him.

Since he has already suffered a serious injury, maybe Charles can reverse the curse—assuming Calvin Johnson keeps the trend going—and provide a season in which a future cover boy avoids the negative fortune that has cursed others in the past.

Dwayne Bowe

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Dwayne Bowe has been as consistent as a player can be for the Kansas City Chiefs since coming to the NFL in 2007. But a stellar 2010 in which he caught 72 passes for 1,162 yards and 15 touchdowns shows how good he can be in this league.

That season coincided with a perfect storm for the Chiefs as far as the schedule, injuries, and player performance were concerned. The 2012 season looks set up in a similar fashion.

Whether Bowe goes into the season having only signed the franchise tender and still looking for a long-term contract, or he does ink a deal before the season starts, he will be out to prove that he is worth every penny, thus potentially duplicating his career year from 2010 and throwing his name into the cover-boy conversation.

Tamba Hali

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Tamba Hali’s career is on the uptick, and the continued emergence of Justin Houston on the other side of the Kansas City Chiefs linebacking unit could propel Hali to the next level.

Defensive tackle Dontari Poe (first-round pick this season) could also open up more opportunities for the pass-rusher with a more consistent push in the middle.

Since the Chiefs switched to the 3-4 defense prior to the 2009 season, Hali has tallied 35 sacks and 12 forced fumbles from the edge.

With the additions that the team has made, along with the natural progression of the defense, Hali’s numbers could rival that of Chiefs legend Derrick Thomas this season.

How cool would it be to see Hali and his tinted visor staring you down as you stand in line to purchase Madden NFL 14?

Eric Berry

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An Ed Reed type of career was expected of Eric Berry after his Pro Bowl rookie season in 2010 with the Kansas City Chiefs. But an ACL tear in the first game of last season quickly put those sentiments on hold.

However, that allowed his sidekick Kendrick Lewis to take his game to the next level with the added pressure and motivation to prove that he belongs in the NFL.

It may sound crazy to say this, but Berry might become a better football player because of Lewis’ improvements. Having already been labeled as the league’s next great safety, Berry might be in line for a stellar 2012 season with potential cover-boy chatter following soon after.

Contact Jeremy at [e-mail], on Twitter @KCPopFlyBoy and at popflyboys.com.