This has always been an interesting phenomenon to me, mainly because every cover athlete has struggled.  Now I know it does not seem like that could be possible but if you look at the covers from the games, it just so happens that following season either they get hurt or play very badly.  The madden games are great and it is good to go back and see how the games have advanced over the years.  It is sometimes funny to see how quicker the game play is now compared to the first one to hit the PS2.  I know I did not like the addition of the passer cone for the quarterbacks, it was just plain stupid and annoying.