Bleacher Report - Articles by Ryan Parks

Madden Curse: Alive Or Dead With Brett Farve

Ryan Parks — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 20:20:58 -0400

Before we go straight to a verdict, let's recap where it all started and how.

Madden 2000 featured Madden as the main portrait, but you could see Barry Sanders in the background. The curse comes in with the fact Barry didn't take one snap in the season of 1999-2000.

Barry did quit well before the start of the season, so EA did substitute with a cover of Dorsey Levens and Barry Sanders, but the effect still was there. So far poor Lions fans have suffered.

Madden 2001 featured Titans running back at the time, Eddie George. In the previous year, Eddie George led the Titans to a Super Bowl, where they came up short. This could have predicted though, because in the last five years, only one losing team has made a return trip back.

In that year, Eddie bobbled a pass, which was returned for a touchdown to end their run to the Super Bowl. The next year, Eddie George was hampered by injuries and saw his rushing average sink to an all-time low. He would never really return to glory.

Madden 2002 featured Daunte Culpepper, who impressively had a great debut, making it to the NFC Championship Game and losing. The next year, after the new cover was out, Daunte consequently led his Vikings to 4-7 and ended his season with a knee injury. Now he is retired as a former has-been.

Madden 2003 featured Rams running back of the time Marshall Faulk. The previous year, Faulk led his team with an amazing rushing and receiving total to a Super Bowl appearance, but the following year, Faulk became plagued with an ankle injury.

After two Super Bowls in three years, the Rams missed the playoffs at 7-9. How good has the Rams' running game been since that cover came out?

Madden 2004 featured one of the biggest disappointments in NFL history, Michael Vick. In 2003, he fractured his right fibula and there went the season. This may have been the biggest hit of the curse. The following season, he played five games and the Falcons finished 5-11. Now where is Vick? A court case later, his NFL career might be over.

Madden 2005 featured the Ravens star linebacker Ray Lewis. Ray had a terrific 2003 season, helping his Ravens reach the playoffs for the third time in four years. In 2004, he failed to stand out, and in the final game Ray Lewis sat out due to injury, and the Ravens missed the playoffs at 9-7. The following year, Ray Lewis tore his hamstring in the sixth game and missed the season.

Madden 2006 featured Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb. Five years before the cover was released, McNabb and the Eagles went to five straight playoff appearances and sported around a 59-21 record.

When the cover came out, Donovan suffered a sport hernia and fought his way through eight games before opting out to have surgery and end his season. Donovan so far has made the best comeback of all cover athletes.

Madden 2007 featured the Seahawks former running back Shaun Alexander. In 2005, Shaun Alexander had a terrific year, leading the Seahawks to a Super Bowl appearance for the first time ever.

Then, in 2006, in the third week of the season, Shaun suffered a broken left foot and missed the next six games. The Seahawks, in response, made the playoffs, but lost in the second round to the Chicago Bears.

Madden 2008 featured the quarterback of the Titans Vince Young. Vince had an amazing rookie year, but in 2007, in the fifth game of the season, he hurt his right quadriceps and missed his next game, which was a first for Vince. Now he is the talk of the NFL whether it be about the status of his knee injury or his emotional state.

Currently, Madden 2009 features Brett Favre, the best quarterback of all time. One week into the season and the curse looks dead, but deceiving it may be.

Could the trade to the Jets be the curse hiding in the background? Is a Super Bowl the only justification? The New York Jets are showing the potential, with the AFC wide open after witnessing terrible play from the Colts, Tom Brady going down, and Shawne Merriman opting out for surgery.

If the Jets don't win it all, is the curse justified? I would say so.

This is Brett Favre's final hoo-rah. He wants to win, but with so much football to play, we will have to see. Will the curse show its ugly face and take down the greatest, or end its reign as a player killer? We will see soon.

Top 5 Sports Teams Fans Love To Hate!

Ryan Parks — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 17:13:21 -0400

Over the years their have been growing niches of fans that love to hate on certain sports teams. We all at heart hate certain teams but some teams out there find themselves hated more than others.

#5 Ohio State Buckeyes (football)

We are THE Ohio State University, okay we get it now take off the stupid sweater vest. This team is hated because of the lies featuring recruiting violations, academic shenanigans, and paid off players. Even THE great state of Ohio is getting sick of the Buckeyes unfortunate problem with finishing...like an over anxious porn star...

#4 Boston Red Sox

"The Yankees pay for their world series!" Look at yourselves now Red Sox. You have the money now and you've assembled a team with money. The Yankees won with their building program to prove you wrong and you don't complain now? The Red Sox are basically the new Yankees.

#3 Los Angeles Lakers

This franchise used to be loved back in the day of Magic but now... Shaq and Kobe had a cry baby fest and Phil Jackson decided to leave when times got hard. Now he's back when they can win it all, Pat Riley anyone?

Kobe is a phenomenal player, but really one year you want out any way possible and now you are a Laker for life? Maybe you should shut up and play like Paul Pierce. After that maybe then you'll deserve a championship...

#2 New England Patriots

Spygate just about put the icing on the cake to make this one of the most hated teams in all of sports. Tom Brady is an amazing quarterback but right now he is probably one of the most hated man in football. Other than his coach of course.

New England probably cheated out a super bowl or two but does it matter? We will probably never know but getting Randy Moss for next to nothing was a slap in the face...I enjoyed it better when the Giants robbed the super bowl...

#1 New York Yankees

You can't tell me you didn't see this coming. Now that they actually harvest players instead of pushing people around with money it is better. About 10 years ago though they would win, win, win, win, and win with money and husky men with bad haircuts and weird last names.

They love to win and we love to hate them for it. We really should praise them for the way they changed to stay competitive. Good Job Yankees you are the best team to hate. Do you want another trophy?

Minnesota Vikings: Tarvaris Jackson Or John David Booty at QB?

Ryan Parks — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 18:32:02 -0400

There is no secret that Tarvaris Jackson wasn't always on top of his game throughout the 2007 season. Many games weighed on the shoulders of Tarvaris as radio stations raved on him being the deciding factor for that night's game.

If Tarvaris played well the Vikings played well—unless, of course Adrian Peterson was running out of his mind and tearing up the field and Tarvaris wasn't needed.

Tarvaris will probably start but Booty will be worked into the lineup and fortunately probably finish off the season unless Tarvaris comes out playing like an all-pro.

When the Vikings traded up in the fifth round to take Booty, they ushered in a new era at the quarterback position and picked a player who fit their offense.

During the combine, many offensive coordinators took note of Booty's No. 1 aspect: rhythm. He came out with better footwork, a stronger arm, and fairly good accuracy. He was capable of delivering confident, on-time passes.

With Adrian in the backfield forcing defenses to concentrate on the running game, Booty should be given plenty of time in the pocket to get into his rhythm and put up crucial points.

The only issue is that when the playoffs come around, Booty will face teams that can apply pressure and cover the run game at the same time like Jacksonville.

Booty may not start the season, but don't expect Tarvaris to sit comfortably. Booty will be in, and it shouldn't take longer than six weeks to see it. He will most likely play against the Detroit Lions at home in Week 6.

Tarvaris is a good quarterback, but his style doesn't fit with the Vikings' offense. The Vikings need someone that is going to drop back confidently and deliver on-time, powerful passes like Daunte Culpepper used to deliver.

With the addition of Bernard Berrian, who isn't known for his "stellar" catches, they are going to need an accurate thrower they can rely on. Booty may not turn out to be an All-Pro savior quarterback for the Vikings, but he looks like a very good fit.

Detroit Lions 2008 Season Preview

Ryan Parks — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 05:35:43 -0400

Detroit has a one-sided season schedule. Their big games this year are in the second half of the season, and most likely they will be considered a team that fell apart late in this year's NFL season.

The offseason for Detroit has been plagued already, when they traded down to let Kansas City take a very solid offensive tackle and in turn, picked a player at No. 17 that wasn't even a top-32 player.

Besides the draft disaster, Week One is against the Atlanta Falcons on Sept. 7. The key to this game is to maintain pressure on Atlanta's new star, Matt Ryan. They will be picked apart through the air without constant pressure.

Ryan has three critical weapons to throw to, and, if he doesn't play like a rookie, they will pick apart the Lions all game. The Lions' offense has been hamstringed with the loss of Kevin Jones.

Kitna is going to have a long year if Tatum Bell doesn't play well, because he will be the only weapon firing rockets to Calvin Johnson and Roy Williams. Overall, I think Atlanta will steal this one. The secondary of Detroit is just not good enough, even for a rookie in his first game. Lions start the season 0-1.

Week Two will be Detroit's home opener on Sept. 14, against the Green Bay Packers. Green Bay can't play in dome environments, and the loss of Brett Favre is going to leave them gasping for air all season.

Aaron Rodgers may have the toughest job this year, and he needs to be productive in no less than five weeks, otherwise Green Bay will be on the downfall and looking for a new quarterback. At home against Green Bay, Detroit plays their best football. They will win this one, and Detroit will bounce back to 1-1.

Week Three will be away again, this time on the coast of California against the San Francisco 49ers. The only thing holding back the 49ers this year will be Alex Smith, or the defense. The duo of Frank Gore and DeShaun Foster will be a brutal combination for any team to handle, and they will draw a lot of pressure off of Smith, giving him time to get the ball to his receivers. The defensive backs will hold down the Lions and leave them going into their bye week at 1-2.

Week Four is a bye week for the Lions.

Week Five is at home for the Lions against the Chicago Bears. Chicago is a mess, and would look a lot better if they had a consistent quarterback. This season won't be it. Unless Devin Hester scores over 21 points for the Chicago Bears, Detroit will win this one. Chicago's offense is a complete mess, and should look at the next year's draft for a quarterback. Lions end Week Five at 2-2.

Week Six will be away at Minnesota against the Vikings. Tarvaris should be starting the season, but if he underperforms through the first five weeks, this game could be the opener for rookie John David Booty. The Lions do not have the defense to handle Adrian Peterson, regardless of who is throwing the ball. With the additions of Jared Allen and Bernard Berrian, Lions will get embarrassed in this one, and maintain a losing record at 2-3.

Week Seven, the Lions will be away, facing the Houston Texans. Houston has plenty of weapons on the offensive side, but Detroit has just as many to match them. This will be a very good game. The key decider will be which team is healthy. Houston was plagued last year with key injuries all over their roster, and if it happens again, this one will go to the Lions. However, if both teams are healthy, the defensive backs are not good enough to hold down Andre Johnson and Matt Schaub. Detroit begins a two-game losing streak at 2-4.

Week Eight will be at home against the Washington Redskins. This will be a one-sided affair. The only way Detroit will have a chance is to throw off Jason Campbell's consistency with pressure. With weapons like Santana Moss, Devin Thomas, and Antwaan Randle El, it will be hard for Washington to lose. Detroit will be crushed in this one, and will extend their streak to three games and have a record of 2-5.

Week Nine will be in Chicago. The only player that will affect the outcome of this game will be Devin Hester. If he keeps the Bears energized, they will win this game. The main factors will be the weather and injuries. The more injured team will lose, but if the both teams are healthy by Week Nine, the Bears will still be a mess, and the Lions will win. Their record will stand at 3-5.

Week 10 is where Lions fan find something else to watch for the next couple weeks, as they are at home against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Instead of being a one-sided team all year, Jacksonville now has a potent offense and wouldn't be a bad pick for the Super Bowl. Lions will be lucky to score 14 in this game, as Jacksonville will probably put up 21 or more as the Lions push into the toughest part of the season at 3-6.

Week 11 will be in Carolina for the Lions. If the Panthers defense shows up this year, they will be solid. Their only other miss will be at running back. This is probably the only upset game the Lions can win, but as the odds look, they will lose this one because Steve Smith and Muhsin Muhammad are too good. The Lions will be 3-7 and losing playoff hope after Week 11.

Week 12 will be against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at home. After a huge 2007 season, nothing will be holding this team back in 2008. Tampa Bay will come out firing on all cylinders, and the Lions will be spinning in circles as they lose by double digits. The Lions extend their losing streak to four, with a record of 3-8.

Week 13 will be at home again against the Tennessee Titans. Vince Young won't have the best year in 2008, but he will be enough to beat the Lions. This game is also another game the Lions could steal, and I believe they will. Vince Young has no star-caliber players to throw to, and they will feel one-dimensional all year. They will press on the corners and take away options for Vince Young. The Lions snap their losing streak and move to 4-8.

Week 14, the Lions will be home for a third time in a row and will face the Minnesota Vikings. It won't be surprising if Minnesota has already locked up the Division by this game, and will destroy the Lions along the way. This will either be a clincher game for Minnesota, or a throwaway game. Either way, Detroit loses and sits at 4-9.

Week 15 will be away against the Indianapolis Colts. There is only two ways in which Detroit can win this game. One is if Indianapolis is injured and lacks their stars like Peyton Manning. The second is if Indianapolis is playing their backups because they've locked up their division. Otherwise, the Lions get beat down and stand at 4-10.

Week 16 will be the final home game against the New Orlean Saints. This is a toss-up game based on one player, Robert Meachem. Other than Marques Colston, the Saints have no one else to throw too. If Meachem has a big game, the Saints will do well. The Lions will lose their final home game because the Saints are too fast. Lions go into their last game at 4-11.

Week 17 will be hosted in the worst place for an away team on the last week of the season, Lambeau Field. Detroit is terrible in cold conditions, and by now Green Bay will have things figured out. This won't be a blowout, but Detroit will split their series will Green Bay, losing on the road and finishing the season at 4-12.

Minnesota will win the division this year and Detroit and Chicago will battle for the worst spot in the division. The Lions should look to replace Kitna with their draft pick, and then proceed to fill defensive holes in other rounds. They need someone to build a team around, and start going in a general direction, and that starts at the quarterback position. Kitna isn't completely slowing the team down, but he doesn't give them direction.