Drew Brees on Madden 2011 Cover...City of New Orleans really nervous

Your Madden Cover//EA Sports

Is there any truth to the Madden curse? Is it like the Sports Illustrated curse only with injuries? Enquiring New Orleans Saints fans want to know.

Why do they want to know? Because the 2011 version of the all-knowing, immensely popular video game was released Tuesday morning....and Saints Quarterback Drew Brees is on the cover.

More from wwl.com RIGHT HERE

And of course neworleans.com RIGHT HERE

Bleacherreport.com explores the Madden curse RIGHT HERE

Sure, there is much celebrating that goes along with this honor, but you might want to add consternation to that list. 

Why? Because traditionally, the cover boy doesn't have such a great year. Some have been injured and missed the season and some have just had bad season, but since 1999, almost nobody has done well.

We'll see if the curse lives with Brees. Of course the other issue that he may need to deal with is the Saints and the Super Bowl hangover. Most teams also don't do really well after that either. 

Either way monitor and prepare...and if you are playing Fantasy Football and draft Brees...get a backup.

For the gamers...here is a review of the Demo from IGN LIVE. Thanks IGN Entertainment/YouTube:

John Madden's Ultimate TV Room

I saw an interview with John Madden with the Los Angeles Times regarding his retirement from the broadcast booth and his virtual gridiron or the Madden NFL video game from EA Sports.

One question from the interview got my attention:

Q: Will you spending a lot more time on the virtual gridiron now?

Madden: That’s one thing I’m really looking forward to. Each week I’m going to watch all the games. I have this thing being built right now where I have nine 63-inch monitors. And I’m going to be able to put every game on television. I can watch them all at the same time.

NINE 63 INCH MONITORS. ALL ON FOOTBALL!!!! My god Madden will have a seizure. You think Madden will be on one of those scooters to go from monitor to monitor.

Add a fridge full of adult beverages (beer) and some leather recliners on wheels and you have yourself the Ultimate Man's Room.

Check out the full interview with John Madden in the LA Times right here. It's a good read.

Photo Courtesy: Ida Mae Astute/Associated Press.

John Madden Is Calling It Quits

John Madden retired from coaching in 1979 in his early 40's and left a legacy with one of the highest winning percentages in NFL history and a win in Super Bowl XI.

His coaching career could be legendary but his post coaching career did become legendary.

John Madden moved on to become the gold standard of NFL analysts working with Pat Summerall and later Al Michaels.

Madden Thursday announced it was time to move on. NBC Sports Chairman Dick Ebersol announced that Madden has decided to retire from broadcasting.

Madden issued the following statement:

It’s time. I’m 73 years old. My 50th wedding anniversary is this fall. I have two great sons and their families and my five grandchildren are at an age now when they know when I’m home and, more importantly, when I’m not It’s been such a great ride… the NFL has been my life for more than 40 years, it has been my passion – it still is. I appreciate all of the people who are and were such an important part of the most enjoyable, most fun anyone could have… that great life with the teams, the players, the coaches, the owners, the League… my broadcasting partners Pat and Al… the production people and the fans …is still great… it’s still fun and that’s what it makes it hard and that’s why it took me a few months to make a decision.

I still love every part of it – the travel, the practices, the game film, the games, seeing old friends and meeting new people… but I know this is the right time."

Here's classic Summerall and Madden setting up the 1989 NFC Championship game between the Los Angeles Rams and the San Francisco 49ers. Enjoy.

BREAKING NEWS: John Madden Is Retiring

The Associated Press is reporting that John Madden is retiring from broadcasting. More details to come.