It is not a big surprise to me (a huge Saints fan) that NO Saints QB Drew Brees has been selected to be featured on the Madden 11 Cover. The Superbowl superstar has been chosen by fans. This is a step forward in EA’s plan to put the Madden franchise in the hands of its fans. The vote was a part of the Doritos “Change the Game” program.

*Pic is copyright of the EA Sports Madden NFL website

An EA Press Release that came out earlier today, reports that Brees is excited to have been selected by fans. “The Madden NFL franchise holds a special place in popular culture and the cover is a coveted position for players all over the league,” said Brees. “I’m honored to be the first cover athlete chosen by Madden NFL fans and it’s a great way to cap off an amazing year for the Saints and the city of New Orleans.”

The Press Release continues:

“Drew’s exceptional performance during the regular season and in Super Bowl XLIV resonated with voters and helped cement his position as the fans’ choice to grace the cover of Madden NFL 11,” said Todd Sitrin, Group Vice President, EA SPORTS Global Marketing. “Giving fans the power to select this year’s Madden NFL cover underscores our commitment to connecting with our fans and giving them opportunities to influence the game.”

Brees’s decorated NFL career has included four Pro Bowl selections, three All Pro selections, three NFC Offensive Player of the Year awards, the Associated Press 2008 NFL Offensive Player of the Year and the Pro Football Weekly 2004 Comeback Player of the Year. Off the field, Brees has been a champion as well through his charity – the Brees Dream Foundation – and his work in the New Orleans, San Diego and West Lafayette/Purdue, Ind. communities, which have provided over $4,500,000 to charitable causes and academic institutions.

EA has also allowed fans to select which teams will be featured when EA releases the Madden 11 Game Demo sometime this summer. Fans can go to the Madden NFL website and vote between March 31 – April 26 for their three, favorite match-ups. If you decide to go and vote, you can choose from this years Superbowl, or one of the various conference championship games leading up to the Bowl.

Fans are also being given the chance during this weekend’s NFL draft to vote online, with the votes affecting rookie NFL players’ ratings.

The Madden 11 Motto is “Simpler, Quicker and Deeper,” and EA has announced some of the changes that will make Madden 11 superior to previous incarnations of the game. These are listed below:

-Simpler: Call plays like an NFL coach with ease using an all-new play-calling system, GameFlow, which executes an authentic, situational game plan for you.
-Quicker: The new play-calling system will enable players to spend more time on the field and less in the playbook – completing games in half of the time.
-Deeper: Madden NFL 11 is feature-rich, with improved animations and control options, enhanced online functionality, and new broadcast and audio presentation that delivers the NFL experience fans have come to expect.

Madden 11 is set for release on Tuesday, August 10, 2010. It will be available on XBOX 360, PS2, PS3, Wii, PSP, and for mobile apps like the iPod.

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