Madden Cover: Ranking the Contenders for the 2012 Madden Curse

With all this fuss over the looming lockout, let's take a minute to think about something truly much more important:  Who will grace the cover of Madden 2012?  The four finalists were recently announced for fan voting and are:  Aaron Rodgers, Michael Vick, Peyton Hillis and Adrian Peterson.

There is a lot riding on the Madden cover as football fans are well aware.  So, which team will cringe at the unveiling of the 2012 cover, and who will have to deal with the Madden Curse.

4. Peyton Hillis

Matt Sullivan/Getty Images

CLEVELAND - DECEMBER 26: Tailback Peyton Hillis #40 of the Cleveland Browns runs the ball by linebacker Terrell Suggs #55 of the Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns Stadium on December 26, 2010 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images)

Unless voters are more fascinated with the fact that Hillis is white than I am, he does not have much of a chance to be the cover boy for Madden 2012.  Hillis only rushed for slightly less than 1,200 yards last year and only 11 touchdowns, numbers hardly worthy of a Madden coverboy.

3. Michael Vick

Chris Trotman/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 09: Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles scrambles against the Green Bay Packers during the 2011 NFC wild card playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 9, 2011 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Chris Tro

There are a few reasons Vick will not get the 2012 cover.  Here are the two biggest.

1.) He already had a cover.  No player has ever been on the cover more than once.

2.) Although he seems to be rehabilitated from his time in prison, there are still many people who do not like Michael Vick.  EA Sports will remember they will be relying on kids to buy Madden, kids whose moms may not like Michael Vick.  At 60 bucks a pop, Mom is going to have to approve of the cover boy.

2. Adrian Peterson

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 28: Adrian Peterson #28 of the Minnesota Vikings runs against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on December 26, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

AP is one of the most exciting players in the game, and he will probably grace the cover of Madden at some point in his career, but the No.1 contender this year is just too strong.

1. Aaron Rodgers

Handout/Getty Images

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FL - FEBRUARY 07: In this handout photo provided by Disney, Super Bowl XLV Most Valuable Player Aaron Rodgers takes a celebratory ride with Mickey Mouse, following the Green Bay Packers' 31-25 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers Februa

It's really a no brainer for the people at Madden this year.  Aaron Rodgers is fresh off a Super Bowl victory, has a great personality along with a great backstory (coming from junior college, dealing with draft day plummet, replacing Brett Favre, etc), and is coming off an amazing season.  The People's Champ is without a doubt the best player for the cover this season.