Fast Break
NFL
Madden curse hits Alexander
The NFL player who appears on the front of EA Sports’ Madden Football has been cursed with some bad luck over the years. Here is a look at the recent cover boys:
2006, Shaun Alexander, Seahawks
Will miss Sunday’s game due to foot injury
2005, Donovan McNabb, Eagles
Suffered a sports hernia, and Philadelphia went through a season filled with injuries and T.O.-led drama
2004, Ray Lewis, Ravens
One of the few to avoid the curse, leading the Ravens to a 9-7 record
2003, Michael Vick, Falcons
Broke his leg in the preseason and missed the first 11 games; Atlanta went 5-11
2002, Marshall Faulk, Rams
Faulk had his worst statistical season in six years, and the Rams missed out on the playoffs
2001, Daunte Culpepper, Vikings
Injuries limited him to 12 games as the Vikings fell to 5-11 and missed out on the postseason
Saints game a TV blockbuster
The New Orleans Saints’ return home to the Superdome on Monday night drew the highest rating ever for ESPN and was the highest-rated program of the night on any network, broadcast or cable.
The Saints’ 23-3 win over Atlanta in the first game in New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina 13 months ago drew a rating of 11.8 and an audience of 10,850,000 homes.
High schools
Coach to have heart surgery
Longtime girls basketball coach Dale Poffenroth will undergo open heart surgery this morning at Deaconess Medical Center.
A problem in the blood vessels around the cage of his heart was diagnosed recently during a regular physical, Poffenroth, 57, said. Blood vessels that pump blood from the top of the heart to the bottom were plugged, he said.
Poffenroth, who coached Central Valley to three state titles, will return to his teaching job at Coeur d’Alene High on Oct. 30, the first official day for practice in Idaho.
“I feel fortunate, but I’m scared to death,” Poffenroth, in his third year at CdA, said between classes Tuesday. “I’m not handling it too well. But the doctor said that once I recover I’d be just as strong as ever.”