This one sucked me in
The addition of the challenges was nice as well. The feature wasn't all there yet, but I had a feeling it'd get some fine tuning in games to come.
Probably the best thing about the game is the sheer number of modes to play with. Franchise mode of course being the best one to play with. Ending a season to go into free agent signing, retirement, recuriting, recruit signing and then the next season makes you feel like you really have control over your team's growth from season to season.
I'd have to say that this was probably the best Madden to come out of the xbox franchise after Madden 2006.
2nd best madden.