In a simpler time, before SportsCenter featured a segment called "Blog Buzz," there were the epic Sports Illustrated commercials that would fill the void between Robin Yount highlights and Joe Montana highlights.

Running what seemed to be eight minutes long and replete with blue-collar fans extolling the virtues of their favorite franchise, the spots were there to get viewers to buy a year's worth of the periodical and perhaps get a boss hoodless sweatshirt out of the deal.

But now we live in a world wear a heather-gray sweatshirt that says "Bears" in conservative letters just doesn't excite the masses. The masses need Madden.

Right now, new subscribers will receive Madden NFL 2010 with their purchase. You know, so you can negate all that reading with hours of simulated football, like nature intended.