Considering many think it's an unlucky place to wind up Jared Allen might want to avoid this honor.

According to ESPN, the Vikings defensive end is one of three players in the running to be on the front of the box for "Madden NFL '11." New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees and Indianapolis wide receiver Reggie Wayne are the other candidates.

For the first time, according to ESPN, fans will be able to decide if Allen, Brees or Wayne gets his image placed on the cover. The voting starts today and fans can go to www.doritoschangethegame.com and vote daily through March 15. EA Sports likely will announce the winner around the NFL draft.

Update: Here's a great blog item from the Vikings website on the Madden jinx.

It's also worth noting, the Vikings have started making roster moves with an eye toward the 2010 season. The team has signed 10 players to futures contracts. That includes every player who finished the 2009 season on their practice squad. Here's that list: Safety Colt Anderson; offensive tackles Patrick Brown, Chris Clark and Drew Radovich; running back Ian Johnson; defensive tackle Tremaine Johnson; wide receiver Vinny Perretta; and cornerback DeAndre Wright.

The Vikings also signed wide receiver Taye Biddle and running back James Johnson.

Biddle, who played at Mississippi, was active for two games with Carolina in 2006 but has bounced around practice squads since then, making stops with Tampa Bay and the New York Giants. Johnson rushed for 29 yards on nine carries with Cincinnati in four games in 2008 and was on the Bengals practice squad this past season.