Go ahead and add Shaun Alexander’s name to your list of people that have appeared on the cover of Madden and got injured/had a bad season in the same year.  Your list probably looks like this:

• 2006: Donovan McNabb (sports hernia)
• 2005: Ray Lewis (knee and back problems)
• 2004: Mike Vick (broken leg)
• 2003: Marshall Faulk (1st year under 1,000 yards rushing)
• 2001: Eddie George (hasn’t been the same since)
• 2000: John Madden himself (laryngitis)

Okay, so I made the last one up, that was just wishful thinking.  Notice how the only year missing was 2002 when Daunte Culpepper graced the cover. While he didn’t have any side effects that year, he certainly has them now, so for some the Madden curse hits right away, others it just lingers until its ready to attack.  Curses work like that.

Now comes Alexander’s broken foot.  Can’t say I didn’t see this coming.  I even warned my boy Runamuck after he uddered the words: “Shaun Alexander, number 2 pick” in this year’s fantasy draft.

(Side note: Not only did Runamuck get hit by the Madden curse, but he also got hit with the lesser known curse of drafting Steve Smith before Chad Johnson while he was wearing a Chad Johnson jersey.  Both have subsequently sucked this year, so not only did Runamuck screw himself, but he also screwed the guy who got Johnson.  A double whammy.  Just thought I needed to point that out.)

So the question is: Who will be the next guy that is willing to face the wrath of Madden?  My guess is Larry Johnson.  My wish is Peyton Manning.  Either way I know there’s no way in Hell that the Saints will let Reggie Bush do it.  They aren’t ready for another disaster.

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