FirstCuts: Dungy On EA’s Head Coach ‘09 Cover

By Chris Littmann
Sports don’t start and end with a referee’s whistle. FirstCuts, a blog dedicated to sports culture, will cover everything outside the lines, from games to gear.
[img=http://i.tsn.com/i/photos/20080226/87092.jpg]
OK, so he didn’t repeat as a Super Bowl champion, but Tony Dungy is your man on the cover for EA’s NFL Head Coach 09. (Click here to check out the cover.) Let’s go to the press release
[quote="EA Sports"]NFL Head Coach 09 provides a complete NFL experience, offering a variety of different ways to control an NFL franchise, on and off the field, in-season and off-season. With strategic game planning features, NFL Head Coach 09 places gamers in the coach’s seat by allowing gamers to comprehensively scout the opponent, build playbooks, and develop a team that will adapt to the philosophy and system of an NFL franchise.
The sideline is your playing field in NFL Head Coach 09 -- gamers can make adjustments to plays and game strategies in an instant. The outcome of every game depends on game-time decisions made on the sideline. Success depends on proper preparation and knowledge of the opposing teams’ strategies, as well as expert and timely play calling.[/quote]
The game always seemed like a logical -- if not boring -- offshoot of the Madden franchise, but part of me thinks it should just be folded into Madden as another mode. I’ve got a way for EA to beef up this title and make it a big seller: Special powers for each coach. Some examples:
Marvin Lewis, Bengals: Bail money and favors with judges. If you pick up wins, you’ll be able to get even the most egregious offenders out for Sundays.
Jim Zorn, Redskins: The power of self-control. You know, unlike that other guy who couldn’t save a timeout for his life.
Bill Belichick, Patriots: A line of credit at Best Buy. The more he wins, the more advanced his digital cameras become.
Jon Gruden, Bucs: The power of profanity. When he kicks it into overdrive, he could paralyze the opposition momentarily, allowing your team to make a play.
I’m always available for consulting, EA.↵