Madden 2012: 5 Things We'd Sacrifice to Play More Madden

The 2012 version of Madden has been finally been released, and the things that some people would sacrifice to play more Madden varies depending upon who's asked.

However, one thing is clear: the video game has shot to new heights in terms of its popularity in the public sphere.

Between the vote for the cover athlete and the Madden '12 "Club 100," fans have never felt a greater involvement in the process of the game's construction.

Here are five things that we'd all happily pass up in order to get more involved in the Madden madness.

5. Spending Time with Your Significant Other

You know why this little man looks so irked? Peyton Hillis is his favorite player.

In all seriousness, most guys know exactly what we're talking about here.

I'm not advocating that you push your loved one to the side for nothing, but who among us wouldn't mind spending a little more time with the newly-released game on a Saturday morning rather than a day that is filled with shopping for new window curtains?

I can't speak for everyone, but I'm fairly certain that I'm hitting the nail on the head with a good group of readers here.

4. Playing Another Video Game Other Than Madden

It's time to put down the RPGs and first-person shooter games and time to embrace football season with open arms.

While games like Halo and Call of Duty have a popular following and are entertaining in their own right, there really is no comparison for sitting down and engaging in a classic Madden battle.

And if you're one of those gamers who's got 50 Cent's Bulletproof still popped into console, it's time to turn in your video game credentials until you're ready to play with the big boys.

This isn't amateur hour.

3. Watching Constant Coverage of the Brett Favre Saga

Are you as tired of the Brett Favre saga as I am? That's what I thought.

Look, the man was a legendary quarterback in the NFL, I get that. But what I fail to comprehend is why we have to have scrolling updates across at the bottom of my screen about his potential return to football.

It's not breaking news if Favre denies allegations and rumors about his return. It's also not breaking news that Favre doesn't want to sign with the Panthers, as was rumored to be under consideration earlier this offseason.

Let me know when Favre actually decides to hang it up for good so we can keep playing Madden.

Although, by the time he finally makes a decision, the 2013 version might be available for sale.

2. Watching Real Football

Although the Week 14 Monday Night Football scheduled matchup between the Seahawks and Rams could be scheduled to change based on postseason implications, right now it still stands to be aired.

I have a strong feeling that this matchup could be the least-watched one of the entire season.

The NFC West was a fun one to monitor last season because all of the teams were under-performing, but now that act is beginning to get a little stale.

Obviously, fans of both teams will watch their boys take the field, but the only player on the gridiron that interests me on either side is Steven Jackson. And I'd rather be using him more productively in Madden than the Rams have done over the last couple of seasons.

1. The 15-Minute Work Break

Let's get real.

What do most people do on their 15-minute work breaks besides whip out the smartphone and check Facebook, Twitter or any other social media platform?

The answer: Not much.

15 minutes is a nice break from the work day, but realistically, it's not enough to get anything productive done.

If you receive more than one of these breaks in your normal work day, why not try skipping them and heading out of work a little early?

You know what's waiting for you when you get home.