There was an Article on Yahoo about the top 5 things to know about MADDEN 08...It is a rather interesting read...especiall the last line
http://videogames.yahoo.com/xbox360/madden-nfl-08/preview-525567
1. Madden's Got Personality
When EA and ESPN signed a mammoth partnership, gamers everywhere were hoping to see a virtual Chris Berman walking you through your franchise mode and a weekly Sportcenter highlight show. That has yet to happen, but in Madden 08 EA has enlisted the help of former NFL players Merril Hodge, Mark Schlereth and Marshall Faulk. The ESPN trio hosts a number of tutorials as well as the events of the NFL Combine, adding a little authenticity to the game. Faulk even hosts Marshall's Minute, a short pre-game show complete with score predictions. The only thing missing is a Madden turducken diagram.
2. The NFL Returns to Los Angeles
Or it makes its debut in Alaska. It's up to you in the new revamped Franchise mode in which you have the option of creating a team based on your playing preferences, be it a smash-mouth running squad or finesse passing team. From there, you design the uniforms, choose the logo and build a stadium from the ground up. While not as deep as owner mode in previous Maddens -- no setting concession prices or moving your team to Mexico -- it's a thrill to re-create your Pop Warner team and compete for the Lombardi trophy. The only downside is you have to kick a team out of the NFL to make room. Sorry Oakland.
3. Customize Your Own Bling
In a somewhat surprising partnership, EA signed a deal with Super Bowl ring maker Jostens to create the Ring of a Champion, a fully-customizable virtual ring that shows off your Madden skills. Tied in with your Madden Gamer Level, the ring gets bigger and better as your career does, all the way up to the fifth and most prestigious level, Epic -- think Heart of the Ocean here. Once you hit level three, you can actually place an order and Jostens will mail your personalized bling for all your friends to see -- a great trophy if you win an offline franchise league against your buddies. With your own Jostens Madden ring, Women will want you; men will want to be you. Or not.
4. Defense is all about tackling, dummy.
Without a doubt, Madden NFL 08 is the hardest-hitting football game in the franchise's history. Part of this is due to the new Hit Stick 2.0, with which you can deliver the pain high or low depending on which direction you flick the right analog stick. Move it down to take out a running back's knees and launch him into the air. Move the stick up to perform a de-cleater and leave a ball carrier breathing nothing but snot bubbles. Also, a new animation system allows for huge gang tackles and bone-jarring midair collisions. With thousands of potential tackles, the hits range anywhere from mildly traumatic to downright demoralizing. We recommend wearing a helmet at all times.
5. Choose Your Weapon
To set the superstars of the NFL apart, EA created a new weapons feature. Star players are broken up into categories like brick wall defender (Brian Urlacher) or speed quarterback (Vince Young) and given an extra set of abilities that other players don't have access to. Big hitters like Ed Reed are privy to a special set of tackling animations and are more likely to jar the ball loose with every hit. Receivers known for making ridiculous grabs like Larry Fitzgerald will come down with one-handed catches in stride. The goal here is to look for mismatches and play with your stars the way they play in real life. So Peyton Manning will audible you to death, Tom Brady will pick you apart, and
Michael Vick will sick his dogs on you.
