From AOL'S News Switch
Marshall Faulk
As a former 'Madden' cover star, tell us what it was like to be chosen by EA.
I was a gamer. I played the game, so I relished the opportunity to be on the cover. It was something that I looked at like, "Man, this the game that I played as a kid and enjoyed all through college and now I get to be a cover guy."
Did you pay a lot of attention to your in-game stats?
Only when they started to go down.
Do you think the game is realistic?
Obviously we know the ratings aren't as realistic as [they are for the real-life] players. But the graphics... I mean, now you can pause a play, freeze-frame it, turn around and look at a player's face. It's detailed from the eye black to the tape on the fingers to what kind of facemask he wears.
Steven Jackson
When are you going to be on the cover of 'Madden'?
You know what? Whenever they ask me I definitely accept the honor. Until then, I'll just keep putting up big years and eventually it'll happen.
Do you play the game a lot?
I do. I've been a collector since 1992, so I've seen it evolve from Super Nintendo to where we're at now with the systems.
Do you pay attention to your player ratings?
The overall rating has me at 89, so I do keep up with it. But I think they need to bump me up a little bit more.
A few more carries this year and maybe you'll get bumped up.
Well, after the season we put together -- after a Pro Bowl season -- I'm expecting to be in the 90's area or we're gonna have to make a phone call.
Do you think any of your ratings are too high? Your jumping ability is a 74.
Oh, that's definitely got to go up.
Tackling is 35.
That might be a little high. I don't get paid to tackle. What's my toughness?
87.
That ain't tough. In the Seattle game I dragged four people into the end zone on my back.
If you were on the cover, would you worry about the 'Madden' curse?
I'd definitely be nervous about the curse. And the only way I can think to prevent it would be to wear a lot of pads. I'd wear shin pads. I'd wear elbow pads. I'd wear knuckle pads.
And how do you feel about Mel Kiper's hair?
It's Mel. It's something he could definitely trademark. It's a silhouette. I think we should work with him on some marketing. You know how Jordan has the jumpman? Mel could have the little swoosh.
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