Vote For Hines Ward for the Cover of Madden 2012

Every team in the league is going to have a candidate for the cover of the most popular selling sports video game of all-time – John Madden Football.

ESPN’s popular midday show “SportsNation” is going to be the site of announcing who is going to move on in the tourney to be on the cover of the game. Here’s the voting dates according to the “SportsNation” site.

Voting dates:
* Opening Round: March 21-27
* Second Round: March 28-April 3
* Third Round: April 4-10
* Semifinals: April 11-17
* Finals: April 18-26

As far as the Steeler that is on the list to be on the cover, it’s Hines Ward, the best blocking wide out in league history and future Hall of Famer. Other favorites have to be Super Bowl MVP Aaron Rodgers of the Packers, Sam Bradford of the Rams, Lions stud DL Ndamukong Suh, Eagles QB Mike Vick, Vikings RB Adrian Peterson, and Jets QB Mark Sanchez.

The way they are doing it is via seeds – No. 1 through No. 16 in two groups (not by conference), with No. 1 squaring off against No. 16, No. 2 against No. 15, and so on.

Here’s one set of seeds:

(1) Aaron Rodgers, Packers; (2) Matt Ryan, Falcons; (3) Maurice Jones-Drew, Jaguars; (4) Danny Woodhead, Patriots; (5) Hakeem Nicks, Giants; (6) Jamaal Charles, Chiefs; (7) Ray Rice, Ravens; (8) Sam Bradford, Rams; (9) Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals; (10) Peyton Hillis, Browns; (11) Tim Tebow, Broncos; (12) Brian Orakpo, Washington Football Club; (13) Steve Johnson, Bills; (14) Dwight Freeney, Colts; (15) Jordan Gross, Panthers; and (16) Ndamukong Suh, Lions.

Here’s the second set of seeds:

(1) Philip Rivers, Chargers; (2) Hines Ward, Steelers; (3) Mike Vick, Eagles; (4) Drew Brees, Saints; (5) Mark Sanchez, Jets; (6) Andre Johnson, Texans; (7) Patrick Willis, 49ers; (8) Julius Peppers, Bears; (9) Adrian Peterson, Vikings; (10) The 12th Man, Seahawks; (11) Chris Johnson, Titans; (12) Jake Long, Dolphins; (13) Josh Freeman, Buccaneers; (14) DeMarcus Ware, Cowboys; (15) Carlos Dunlap, Bengals; (16) Darren McFadden, Raiders.

Ward will take on the Bengals’ Carlos Dunlap in round one, and then if he moves on (and he will), round two he will take on the winner of Patrick Willis of the 49ers and the odd “12th Man” of the Seahawks.

So we shall know come late April as to who in fact will be on the cover of the popular video game, but get on line today and vote for Hines!