ESPN NFL reporter Adam Schefter will reportedly be featured in some capacity of this summer’s release of Madden 25. Schefter’s involvement came about because of a tweet from Madden creative director Michael Young to Schefter, thanking him for his work with the game this week. A fan asked Young when more details of Schefter’s role with the game, and Young more or less confirmed that we’d know more on May 20th.

Now, what exactly will Schefter’s role within the game be? In last year’s release of Madden, Trey WIngo was featured during NFL Draft segments, reading bios of players during the Draft. I’d assume Schefter could have a similiar role during the Draft segments of the game, and possibly during free agent segments as well due to his reporting background.

At any rate, it just seems like more window dressing from EA that doesn’t solve the real problem of stale, unimaginative gameplay. Last year’s edition of Madden was poorly received by fans (though not critics) and unless there’s a huge overhaul, I don’t think the inclusion of Schefter is going to be a gamechanger, even considering how fantastic of a reporter he is. It’s going to take more than a prominent NFL insider to overcome that whole “Worst Company in America” title.

By Spencer Murray | MRL Sports

Before I start this article, I want to introduce myself. My name is Spencer Murray, a 20 year old football fan raised in Indiana, but living in Florida. I’ve been a fan of the game ever since I was young enough to know who Peyton Manning was. Watching the rise of the Colts overtake the love of basketball in Indiana was amazing. If it wasn’t for the amazing play of Manning throughout the years, I wouldn’t be sitting here writing this article. Instead I would be glued to the TV watching the Pacers struggle as they return to their former glory.

Now onto football. Since I live in Florida, I pay attention to the three big college teams (UF, FSU, MIA) and the star players that take over the spotlight during the season. One of those players is E.J. Manuel . Over the last two years, since the departure of Christian Ponder, Florida State has hit high gear in regards to playing hard and climbing the national rankings. Most of that has been due to the efforts of Manuel. The guy is a star. He will be a star. So with the Buffalo Bills picking him 16^th overall in the 2013 NFL Draft, there is risk AND reward.

Watching Manuel at FSU, I can tell you one thing for sure: This guy is athletic. Like “Cam Newton” athletic. He can throw very well on the run and he can get out of the pocket with quickness still intact. He holds on to the ball fairly well while in the open field as well as having a powerful arm to throw the deep ball. These are all good intangibles to have as a QB coming into the pros this day in age.  The only big issue with Manuel is his inconsistency throughout the college season. But note that he did show up in the big post-season games. With new head coach Doug Marrone (formerly HC of Syracuse) coming in, you can expect some supped-up form of the West Coast to be ran. Manuel was the only solid candidate for that spot. Not Matt Barkley. Not Geno Smith. Not Mike Glennon. Ryan Nassib wasn’t worth using a 1^st rounder on, being as he was projected a 4^th or 5^th round prospect. According to the post-draft press conference held by the Bills’ staff, Manuel was the top QB on their board.

I’m going to say it here and now: Manuel will be starting Week 1. Sorry Kevin Kolb, but you were meant to be a back up. There is no way Kolb will outperform E.J. in offseason camps. Kolb may have the experience and better understanding of the playbook, but if Buffalo wants to win, Manuel is the only way.  Many experts believe that Manuel was held back at FSU under Jimbo Fisher (I also believe this). Fisher is very set on the offense he runs. Manuel now has the chance to shine in a legit pro-system.

But I could be wrong.  Manuel could turn out to be a horrible move. He might not develop into an elite QB. The pro level might be too much for him. Not very many rookie QBs can lead a team right off of the bat (except in the last few years, cut me some slack). Kolb might complain and point out his 2 year/$13 million contract the Bills gave him and remind everyone who Buddy Nix hinted as being the starter.

So, drafting Manuel could go both ways for the Bills. He could finally be the star they’ve been looking for, or he can be yet another replacement in a long line of QBs. It all depends on work effort, time, and the cast he is provided with. Being a slight FSU fan, I’m rooting for the guy to make it big, along with another guy I personally know, Chris Thompson (drafted 5^th round by Washington). Everyone knows how good late round backs thrive with Shanahan.  But let’s save that for another time.

Follow Me on Twitter @BroccoBeef

Juan Manuel Marquez seems to be in no rush. After his career-crowning win over Manny Pacquiao in December, in which Marquez finally broke through against his nemesis and snatched a junior welterweight belt, the Mexican pound-for-pound star took time to weigh his options and consult his family about whether he should continue fighting.

Marquez is 39, after all, with 62 professional fights — many of them grueling action battles — behind him, and a place in the Hall of Fame awaits him whether he fights on or hangs up his gloves tomorrow.

But Marquez is also a proud fighter who has talked often of his legacy, and there is an opportunity within reach that could lift his status from icon to all-time legend: A welterweight title would give him a belt in five separate weight classes, more than any fighter in Mexico’s storied boxing history. How might he achieve that goal? A matchup with welterweight titlist Timothy Bradley Jr., who seems to be No. 1 on Marquez’s wish list — but Marquez’s representatives reportedly have yet to speak to Bradley.

The Madden NFL 25 cover athlete has been narrowed down to two candidates. This week, gamers will decide whether to give cover honors to retired Lions running back Barry Sanders or to the Vikings star running back Adrian Peterson.

The cover athlete vote began with 64 candidates, including 32 retired greats and 32 current superstars. These players then battled it out in a grand tournament that began in March. Over 38 million votes have been cast so far by fans.

In the semifinals, Adrian Peterson beat out Houston running back Arian Foster by a margin of 68% to 32%. Barry Sanders had a tougher match-up, going against 49ers wideout Jerry Rice. He managed to squeak by with 52% of the vote. A million votes were cast by fans for that round.

Peterson and Sanders both have strong claims to the Madden 25 cover. Sanders is third on the all-time leading rusher list, with over 1,500 rushing yards to his name. Peterson, meanwhile, is coming off of an MVP season in which he racked up 2,097 yards.

Barry Sanders might be the most entertaining running back I’ve ever watched so I’d be happy to see him win. Still, he was on the cover of NCAA Football 13 so it might be time for someone else to get some cover time.

You can cast your vote through ESPN.com/MaddenVote. The winner will be announced on ESPN SportsNation on April 24th at 8pm EST.