Madden NFL 13 Cover Vote down to the Elite Eight

Only eight remain in the Madden NFL 13 Cover Vote.  One linebacker, one running back, two quarterbacks, three wide receivers, and one tight end are all that remain as fans have narrowed down a field once comprised of 64 NFL athletes to the Elite Eight.

After another week of voting, we say goodbye to QB Drew Brees, RB Arian Foster, RB LeSean McCoy, and many others who could be deemed as worthy candidates to grace the cover.

But alas, the fans have spoken and here's who we're left with:

• QB Cam Newton (Carolina Panthers) vs WR Larry Fitzgerald (Arizona Cardinals)
• QB Aaron Rodgers (Green Bay Packers) vs RB Ray Rice (Baltimore Ravens)
• LB Patrick Willis (San Francisco 49ers) vs WR Victor Cruz (New York Giants)
• WR Calvin Johnson (Detroit Lions) vs TE Rob Gronkowski (New England Patrios)

It's anyones race at this point as another week of voting will commence today, April 4th, and end on April 11th.

As ESPN notes, Cam Newton has continued to receive more votes than any other player in the tournament, making him the favorite to win the whole thing.  But there is plenty of competition as Larry Fitzgerald is vying to become the first-ever two-time Madden NFL cover athlete.  I'm also glad to see my initial picks, Victor Cruz and Calvin Johnson remain.  Honestly, Johnson was just too beastly this season to be ignored.

My picks are Newton, Rodgers, Cruz, and Johnson, but to cast your vote head over to ESPN's Sports Nation.