Madden NFL 19
Madden NFL 19: Thoughts on the New Additions to Franchise Mode
Kevin Scott
As is so often the case with these things, there’s no way to truly be sure about these changes until you actually spend some time progressing through a few seasons of a franchise and seeing how things really play out. That being said, I think this at least seems like a step in the right direction at first glance.
As someone who mainly plays online franchise, I want to believe that this is going to make things more difficult for anyone who was adept at building super teams solely by gaming a flawed progression system and knowing which attributes would help improve a player quicker. I hope it will create a more dynamic and realistic collection of players while still allowing smart GMs to find hidden gems that are perfect scheme fits.
What makes me most skeptical though is that progression appears to still be tied, at least in part, to how a player performs on the field, furthering the fallacy that players somehow improve by having a good game rather having a good game because they’ve improved. This unfortunately will always allow users who are clearly already superior on the field to then also have better players, too. In short, the rich will continue to get richer.
Josh Houtz
I think everyone would agree that Madden’s franchise mode has been severely lacking over the last several years. Gone are the days of the “Tony Bruno Show” and weekly newspaper headlines. Instead, it has become a flawed, repetitive system that sees players rewarded for play on the field, rather than what is done off. However, with all of that said, I do see lots of promise with this year’s franchise mode.
Player archetypes are intriguing, and I’m anxious to see how players progress from season to season. Furthermore, I like what EA did with each position, and the different types of player types each contain. Choosing a player that best fits your scheme will help in the long run.
The same can be said for the coaching staff and what schemes best fit your team’s strengths and weaknesses. Mike Shanahan might favor players that fit a West Coast offense, while others might prefer a “run and shoot” offense. How you choose your offense and defensive schemes could drastically alter your players’ ratings. This isn’t an entirely new idea, but EA has made the necessary adjustments to make it more successful in Madden 19.
Lastly, the new and improved positions on the depth chart are HUGE. Users will now be able to dictate which receiver is in the slot, where defensive ends line up and which player takes goal-line snaps in key situations. Custom draft classes are long overdue, and will add to the realism of franchise mode through many, many years.
Although I’m hesitant to get excited, it appears EA has finally made an effort to bring franchise mode back to where it once was. I’m cautiously optimistic, and look forward to hearing more in the coming weeks.
Chris Sanner
I know there have been some inevitable complaints that the changes in franchise aren’t enough and don’t go far enough — really pick your phrase here for general disappointment.
But let me take a contrarian view of sorts. If the scheme/archetype system works as it seems it will, roster building in Madden (and perhaps within sports games) just changed in a big way. I can see a future where you can create your own schemes with desired archetypes and playbooks with the current system still largely in place to organize rosters and develop players.
I do think these additions are a big deal for this year and the future of the series in that sense.
What I do think franchise still needs, and its what it doesn’t seem to be getting, is a face lift and make over on how Sundays are presented. I think the NFL is a perfect target (more than basketball, soccer, hockey or baseball) for bringing a digital sports world alive.
So while the thing franchise needs most probably isn’t happening, another thing it needed (redoing how you build your rosters so it’s not so mindless) did happen. Any steps forward are good steps, so I’ll celebrate that and I look forward to the new strategies to building teams that’ll come around this season.
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^^^^^ That is essentially my feeling going in, and a key feature in CFM for M19.
I just hope they keep their foot on the gas for Madden 20 and build off of these additions as opposed to gutting them.
Also they should have more of a range on non-physical skills. Does a players technique falter when tired or feeling pressure?
Instead of xp have set what a player needs to work on during season and in off season combined with what he wants to work on to drive ratings. Also if a player and coach disagree could create tension. Also setting a role for the player each season/when acquiring players could help in driving player movement. Maybe you trade your star player at the end of his rookie deal because he's been a headache and his contract demands are exorbitant. Could have an auto setting so players who don't want to deal with never have to see it.
Also fatigue needs adjusted. Their are two types of fatigue at work constantly. One is how many snaps in a current game does a guy have and how much workload can he have in a given season. Some players are amazing but can't play every down. Would separate the superstars more (they can play every snap) while seeing the impact of certain players in small doses be on their level.
Just a few random thoughts.
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With Haumiller being a big part of CFM now, I expect immersion in one's Franchise to improve exponentially over the next couple of years.
Also they should have more of a range on non-physical skills. Does a players technique falter when tired or feeling pressure?
Instead of xp have set what a player needs to work on during season and in off season combined with what he wants to work on to drive ratings. Also if a player and coach disagree could create tension. Also setting a role for the player each season/when acquiring players could help in driving player movement. Maybe you trade your star player at the end of his rookie deal because he's been a headache and his contract demands are exorbitant. Could have an auto setting so players who don't want to deal with never have to see it.
Also fatigue needs adjusted. Their are two types of fatigue at work constantly. One is how many snaps in a current game does a guy have and how much workload can he have in a given season. Some players are amazing but can't play every down. Would separate the superstars more (they can play every snap) while seeing the impact of certain players in small doses be on their level.
Just a few random thoughts.
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You have good ideas of course, but any tension or conflict between players and the organization will have be disguised or presented in the most innocuous way possible. Whatever one thinks of the Madden development team, you have to admit that are definitely barred by the NFL now from showing any discord or negative aspects of the league.
Think about them removing the slow development trait this year to appease players who were upset with that label. Nothing that make a player seem dumb, lazy, or self-serving will ever be clearly observable in the game again, IMO. They will have to bury that stuff in places where only the hardcore franchise heads can find it.
You have good ideas of course, but any tension or conflict between players and the organization will have be disguised or presented in the most innocuous way possible. Whatever one thinks of the Madden development team, you have to admit that are definitely barred by the NFL now from showing any discord or negative aspects of the league.
Think about them removing the slow development trait this year to appease players who were upset with that label. Nothing that make a player seem dumb, lazy, or self-serving will ever be clearly observable in the game again, IMO. They will have to bury that stuff in places where only the hardcore franchise heads can find it.
Then that’s poor negotiating. All the company should pay for is licensing from the NFL, NFLPA and the coaches association. After that the maker should have sole possession of creative control to bring the best user experience.
I think the NFL has major issues that can't be worsened by anything in a video game.
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Also with the halftime show what if I play every single game that weekend?? will they show stat updates of the games I had played during that one game? that makes me nervous that 32 team control is not in
I think the NFL has major issues that can't be worsened by anything in a video game.
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I’d love to see you negotiate that deal. That’s not how business works.
The NFL owns everything NFL. A licensing agreement doesn’t change a thing.
The NFL owns everything NFL. A licensing agreement doesn’t change a thing.
Fair enough as the NFL doesn't understand much about what their fans actually want.
Businesses do and can work in this way but it's not a way the NFL handles itself.
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Businesses do and can work in this way but it's not a way the NFL handles itself.
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Then why make the comment in the first place when you already know how the NFL operates?
And most players/fans don't understand what they actually want in a Madden game. And even when they do get it they find something else to complain about. There is always something one can complain about.
The human should be handicapped against the AI. It should at least be a difficulty option.
Also with the halftime show what if I play every single game that weekend?? will they show stat updates of the games I had played during that one game? that makes me nervous that 32 team control is not in
I’ve been told that you can put a LS who’s position is TE at LSer in the depth chart with cfm now.
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Finally!!! now that saves lots of work and the CPU just release them with roster cuts.
I am guessing though that the CPU still re orders your depth charts though?
I am guessing though that the CPU still re orders your depth charts though?
I'd assume the cpu will still release them all with roster cuts. Until there is a longsnapping rating, long snappers will just be really poorly rated TEs that the cpu doesn't value
I'd also like for you to only be able to switch your scheme in the free agency/draft/preseason portion. Teams are aren't making wholesale changes to the offense/defense week to week - they're taking what they are into games.
I can already see CFM players changing their scheme simply so that more fit it and leaving it for a few weeks to XP farm then switching back.
I want rookies to have a chance at losing their Dev trait for not fitting into the scheme. This would make players draft differently or change their scheme entirely to match a new player (Redskins RG3).
This would force teams to either draft to their committed scheme or suffer the potential consequences. Some players should be exempt from this that are say Star Dev and above as they're talented enough to thrive in any scheme. I'd also like to see a player have a higher chance of losing their Dev trait if they're not a scheme fit.
These may all be in the game I'm not sure but if they're not I'd certainly like to see them.
some teams only keep 7 linemen so for roster requirements I tend to fill in those with the longsnappers then the CPU won't release them. just in the past they had to be a center or Guard. so perhaps being a TE is useless anyway. but hoping now that means can move them to tackle and also be able to put them a LS it would solve the min requirements crap too
Until there is a long snap ( or snapping in general) rating , they will continue to be basically redundant so unless you are OCD over roster accuracy , or the FA pool is increased so CFM doesn't delete players it's still probably better to eliminate them , in favour of players who might be useful
I'm not 100% but I'm reasonably sure they aren't available to draft to replace ,once the current LS are gone anyway
I'm not 100% but I'm reasonably sure they aren't available to draft to replace ,once the current LS are gone anyway
my biggest issue with it is once the CPU release then they actually vanish from the free agents completely!! it's like they no longer exist, because the free agents is too many so they get rid of the lower rated players. but I try and do 32 team control to stop it. but when the CPU release them and regular season starts its too late to fix the rosters as they have vanished. so you gotta get everything 100% correct if you are OCD BEFORE the season or you are screwed.
Just on this... this is a HUGE concern for the draft class that is suppose to come into the game. seeing as about 100 players vanish as soon as you start the regular season from free agents this will see a lot of lower rated drafted players not signed vanish from the game during a franchise.
it's a concern because it even happens on your first season. I don't get why it happens because all the players are there for pre season. but vanish as soon as the season starts, there is no reason why they should all vanish when the season starts when they were there during pre season.
Anyway it has always been a concern of mine, if we could create players during the season or import players into franchise that vanish this would solve the issues.
Anyway it has always been a concern of mine, if we could create players during the season or import players into franchise that vanish this would solve the issues.
I don't know why they restrict the FA pool to 640 but it's better than it was , and 320 players are retained on PS too , it deletes by age , oldest first at each position , it's probably done to remove useless older players , but it's too stringent IMO
I'd also like for you to only be able to switch your scheme in the free agency/draft/preseason portion. Teams are aren't making wholesale changes to the offense/defense week to week - they're taking what they are into games.
I can already see CFM players changing their scheme simply so that more fit it and leaving it for a few weeks to XP farm then switching back.
I want rookies to have a chance at losing their Dev trait for not fitting into the scheme. This would make players draft differently or change their scheme entirely to match a new player (Redskins RG3).
This would force teams to either draft to their committed scheme or suffer the potential consequences. Some players should be exempt from this that are say Star Dev and above as they're talented enough to thrive in any scheme. I'd also like to see a player have a higher chance of losing their Dev trait if they're not a scheme fit.
These may all be in the game I'm not sure but if they're not I'd certainly like to see them.
I would just like the playbook options be dictated by scheme choice to add real value and repercussions to your choice.
Better yet, i would like the whole playbook available and your scheme be chosen for you based on your play calls. The game should maintain a running tally of your play calls the last 3 games to derive your offensive and defensive scheme. I chose 3 games so that you would not be locked into one scheme too long if you actually pivot for some reason i.e. injuries. One game is too short because then the scheme may be changing each week when in reality you may have a 1 game change in philosophy due to opposing team weaknesses.
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I would just like the playbook options be dictated by scheme choice to add real value and repercussions to your choice.
Better yet, i would like the whole playbook available and your scheme be chosen for you based on your play calls. The game should maintain a running tally of your play calls the last 3 games to derive your offensive and defensive scheme. I chose 3 games so that you would not be locked into one scheme too long if you actually pivot for some reason i.e. injuries. One game is too short because then the scheme may be changing each week when in reality you may have a 1 game change in philosophy due to opposing team weaknesses.
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It's not EA that has the problem with theses things though , it's the NFL/NFLPA, (unlike presumably the NHL and it's players ), who are "precious" over such issues
Yeah,I suppose if we ever want to play a good franchise mode in a football game we'll have to bring out the PS2 or old PC version of the game. That's the truth since EA has to keep things that vanilla to stay within the guidelines.
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I just do not like the idea that you can change schemes and call the exact same plays. That makes it meaningless
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Only in the main menu , not in CFM , it was restricted to interior lineman
Especially with the off ball injuries, you see someone is injured because the clock stops but you don’t know who until three or four plays later, unless you spot the substitute on the field
This is somewhat true.
They added a sequence of showing a injured player going to the locker room once they are injured. This is for some injuries, not all.
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Stolen from /r/madden on Reddit. I assume this is the final list of defensive scheme settings in Madden NFL 19 franchise mode. To me this list feels incredibly incomplete and inflexible. In its current state it will detract from what I actually think is a pretty cohesive new feature for franchise.
For example, a 4-3 front press-man Cover 1 scheme (similar to what the Oakland Raiders have used in the past) isn't well represented, because all the 4-3 schemes prefer Zone CBs. Similarly, Dick LeBeau's zone blitz 3-4 front scheme (made famous while he was with the Steelers) is also not well represented, because all the 3-4 front schemes prefer Man-To-Man CBs.
I really hope more options are added before release, because right now I feel like the defensive front I prefer is going to unnecessarily dictate how I develop my secondary and scheme fit is incredibly important this year (your players earn a significant amount of bonus XP in Weekly Training if his best archetype OVR matches your team's scheme preference for that position).
Stolen from /r/madden on Reddit. I assume this is the final list of defensive scheme settings in Madden NFL 19 franchise mode. To me this list feels incredibly incomplete and inflexible. In its current state it will detract from what I actually think is a pretty cohesive new feature for franchise.
For example, a 4-3 front press-man Cover 1 scheme (similar to what the Oakland Raiders have used in the past) isn't well represented, because all the 4-3 schemes prefer Zone CBs. Similarly, Dick LeBeau's zone blitz 3-4 front scheme (made famous while he was with the Steelers) is also not well represented, because all the 3-4 front schemes prefer Man-To-Man CBs.
I really hope more options are added before release, because right now I feel like the defensive front I prefer is going to unnecessarily dictate how I develop my secondary and scheme fit is incredibly important this year (your players earn a significant amount of bonus XP in Weekly Training if his best archetype OVR matches your team's scheme preference for that position).
Not nearly enough options.
3-4 is tied to man corners and 4-3 is tied to zone corners. Makes no sense.
I cant have pass coverage linebackers with man corners, huh?
so looks like my base formation will be whatever and ill just draft what i need to play the way i want.
what happens if play flips? why cant i have a 3-4 but decide what type i want at each position? is every rusher a power rusher in 3-4 i cant have finesse? my rolb is on the field only a bit less than mlber 1 why cant they be a field general?
let me choose
I heard that last gen. I'm starting to feel like this is that scene in Spaceballs.
"When will then be now? Soon"
Sorry, if you haven't seen spaceballs google it. :D
yep. XP was broken from jump and they keep sticking with it.
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one of the better franchise modes in sports gaming?
but not better than 2k. definitely not better than the show. not better than fifa.
so, yeah, it's better than, uh, nhl and nba live, i guess? shocking those are both EA companies as well.
but not better than 2k. definitely not better than the show. not better than fifa.
so, yeah, it's better than, uh, nhl and nba live, i guess? shocking those are both EA companies as well.
Better than the Show
Those are the only two I play
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Better than the Show
Those are the only two I play
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Better than the Show?
The fact there is a morale system in The Show alone brings it miles and miles and miles and miles past Madden.
Don't even get me started on Free Agency, Drafting, AI team control, trades, CPU rebuilding, in game management, injury strategy.
The fact there is a morale system in The Show alone brings it miles and miles and miles and miles past Madden.
Don't even get me started on Free Agency, Drafting, AI team control, trades, CPU rebuilding, in game management, injury strategy.
Did they remove confidence in Madden 18? Didn't get it.
I know I made roster decisions based on confidence in Madden 17. I've never made any managerial decision based on morale in the show.
And all the other things you listed I don't consider any of then to be a strength in The Show. Most of them weaknesses.
Different strokes for different folks...
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The fact there is a morale system in The Show alone brings it miles and miles and miles and miles past Madden.
Don't even get me started on Free Agency, Drafting, AI team control, trades, CPU rebuilding, in game management, injury strategy.
The morale system wrecks The Show.
Keep it out, or at least give me the option to turn it off/on.
Then you add in the player quirks, and that's another little thing that contributes to things to consider in player management.
Madden and The Show definitely have a similar problem with lack of excitement and immersion when it comes to the league in the menus, but The Show is a much more enjoyable experience for me, and I prefer the game of football far more than baseball.
Also, the big thing for me is custom draft classes. Madden draft classes have been lacking, not diverse enough, draft stories have been pretty terrible. I am hoping that some of the great roster people will create some awesome draft classes and maybe some of their own draft stories to support their classes. It might not be as robust as people want but I can't think of another game that has a true robust custom draft class system.
🤔AFL-NFL merger, first Super Bowl, what it means to be a dynasty,aka Pittsburg or six burg , Green Bay, San Fran, Dallas, New England, Buffalo 4 times 4 agonizing losses? What if what I just mentioned was lost each new season in the NFL? Oh and at the end of the season the NFL mentioned on page 10 of the daily news who got into the Hall of Fame. That would be Madden 18.
One of my biggest gripes with CFM is that the entire UI isn't that user friendly. And also they have removed some features over the years that were really good and not brought them back. I'm a big stats guy so I'd really like to see the stats accurate every year. And also the NFL records menu updated and more expansive. They haven't touched the NFL records menu much in years and it is still buggy. It doesn't always update the team a player plays for. And with M18 it has Julius Peppers listed twice for some reason.
My favorite feature that was taken away was the ability to search players active in the NFL. It is strange that this was removed from CFM. I think it used to be in M13 or M10/11. And it still exists outside of the CFM mode. You can search players in the roster menu outside of CFM either in the NFL or FA's. This lets you easily compare players around the league and was a great feature. It exists outside of CFM and used to exist in CFM, why was it removed from CFM? Bring it back.
Also you used to be able to search career stats and it would include FA's. I don't understand why they removed that feature either.
The more stats and records the better.
Julius Peppers,for instance,will be started below the threshold with like 160 career sacks but a player starting with 99 career sacks will hit both the 100 sack and then 125 sack goals and accumulate a ton of points while the player that already has way more than that is hard pressed to find ways to get those needed points.
It's been this way for several years now where players that should really be automatic future HOF are still made to achieve points in the last year or two of their careers with very limited ways to get them.
Julius Peppers,for instance,will be started below the threshold with like 160 career sacks but a player starting with 99 career sacks will hit both the 100 sack and then 125 sack goals and accumulate a ton of points while the player that already has way more than that is hard pressed to find ways to get those needed points.
It's been this way for several years now where players that should really be automatic future HOF are still made to achieve points in the last year or two of their careers with very limited ways to get them.
Yes, I also find this frustrating. Because I like seeing players that in real life are 1st ballot HoFamers make it in during my CFM.
Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers barely made the HoF in my CFM. Their lone SB's is probably the reason they made it. Because Rivers missed it. Eli somehow didn't make the HoFame either, but he will be a difficult decision in real life anyway. Big Ben is going to barely make it with his 2 SB's, but that is mainly because the CPU decided to keep him around all the way through year 2022. As of right now in the year 22 Russell Wilson has about 3700 legacy points with his 1 SB and 2 NFC champs. He has no shot probably.
Frank Gore is probably a borderline HoFamer and he made it into the top-10 rushing yards list in my CFM before retiring. But he had no shot. Adrian Peterson has been the only RB to make it. And is listed as retiring as a Saint. Freeman, David Johnson, Bell, Zeke, and Gurley have virtually no shot of making it despite piling up stats and PB's.
No WR's have made it in my CFM. Fitz should have and he ended his career 2nd in yards receiving and receptions. Steve Smith Sr. was probably borderline in my CFM before retiring. AB is probably the only WR that will eventually make it.
Gates passed Tony Gonzalez for receiving TD's in my CFM before retiring with 115. And he didn't make the HoFame, despite a good chance in real life. Only Witten has made it and Gronk will as well.
Joe Thomas has been the only OL to make it and I enjoy seeing that. But it was entirely dependent on the number of PB's he made. And the way Madden sends OL to the PB is really dumb. And for some reason my back-up OL go to the PB all the time if I have a good season, despite almost never seeing the field.
Kuechly hasn't been making many PB's in my CFM mostly due to injury. But he probably has no shot, which is astonishing to me.
DeMarcus Ware missed the HoFame despite making it into the top-10 in sacks and he had his SB with Denver. Suggs and Peppers weren't even close to making it, despite Suggs having a SB win and having over 100 career sacks. Peppers maybe due to his bug of appearing twice in the records window. Mathis had no shot either
Revis ended his career with two SB wins in my CFM and he still missed it. Madden simply doesn't reward shut-down CB's.
The game appears to heavily favor players that make the PB. And a lot of these players don't make it as often due to injuries and the way Madden determines who will go to the PB. A lot of legacy is weighted towards winning AFC/NFC championships and SB's as well. In addition to breaking career leader records at their positions, which simply isn't realistic for a lot of positions. There should be more intermediate milestones. And more milestones in line with today's NFL. I'd love to see milestones to reward shut-down CB play that doesn't entirely rely on INT numbers.
AFL-NFL merger, first Super Bowl, what it means to be a dynasty,aka Pittsburg or six burg , Green Bay, San Fran, Dallas, New England, Buffalo 4 times 4 agonizing losses? What if what I just mentioned was lost each new season in the NFL? Oh and at the end of the season the NFL mentioned on page 10 of the daily news who got into the Hall of Fame. That would be Madden 18.
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3-4 pass rushers rarely make the PB. 3-4 DE's rarely make the PB because their role isn't recognized like that of a DT or interior defensive lineman. Slot receivers and CB's never make it in Madden.
Why does Madden not include PB alternatives? Only 2 MLB's can make the PB from the AFC and NFC every season.
In real life players voted to the PB that are in the SB don't go. And as a result don't get a PB on their resume. Yet those players often make the AP teams.
How hard would it be to group voting for edge rushers, interior linemen, flex offense, and flex DB? For edge rushers all 3-4 pass rusher OLB's would be included and all speed rusher, balanced 4-3, and 4-3 run stopper DE's. All DT's and 3-4 DE's would be included in the interior linemen category. Flex offense is simple - include the best remaining offensive player from the RB/WR/TE pool. Flex DB simple as well.
3-4 pass rushers rarely make the PB. 3-4 DE's rarely make the PB because their role isn't recognized like that of a DT or interior defensive lineman. Slot receivers and CB's never make it in Madden
Why does Madden not include PB alternatives? Only 2 MLB's can make the PB from the AFC and NFC every season.
In real life players voted to the PB that are in the SB don't go. And as a result don't get a PB on their resume. Yet those players often make the AP teams.
How hard would it be to group voting for edge rushers, interior linemen, flex offense, and flex DB? For edge rushers all 3-4 pass rusher OLB's would be included and all speed rusher, balanced 4-3, and 4-3 run stopper DE's. All DT's and 3-4 DE's would be included in the interior linemen category. Flex offense is simple - include the best remaining offensive player from the RB/WR/TE pool. Flex DB simple as well.
This would be a fantastic addition and something I wish they would look into implementing in the future.
3-4 pass rushers rarely make the PB. 3-4 DE's rarely make the PB because their role isn't recognized like that of a DT or interior defensive lineman. Slot receivers and CB's never make it in Madden.
Why does Madden not include PB alternatives? Only 2 MLB's can make the PB from the AFC and NFC every season.
In real life players voted to the PB that are in the SB don't go. And as a result don't get a PB on their resume. Yet those players often make the AP teams.
How hard would it be to group voting for edge rushers, interior linemen, flex offense, and flex DB? For edge rushers all 3-4 pass rusher OLB's would be included and all speed rusher, balanced 4-3, and 4-3 run stopper DE's. All DT's and 3-4 DE's would be included in the interior linemen category. Flex offense is simple - include the best remaining offensive player from the RB/WR/TE pool. Flex DB simple as well.
I like the PB voting idea, especially in a 32 man franchise.
3-4 pass rushers rarely make the PB. 3-4 DE's rarely make the PB because their role isn't recognized like that of a DT or interior defensive lineman. Slot receivers and CB's never make it in Madden.
Why does Madden not include PB alternatives? Only 2 MLB's can make the PB from the AFC and NFC every season.
In real life players voted to the PB that are in the SB don't go. And as a result don't get a PB on their resume. Yet those players often make the AP teams.
How hard would it be to group voting for edge rushers, interior linemen, flex offense, and flex DB? For edge rushers all 3-4 pass rusher OLB's would be included and all speed rusher, balanced 4-3, and 4-3 run stopper DE's. All DT's and 3-4 DE's would be included in the interior linemen category. Flex offense is simple - include the best remaining offensive player from the RB/WR/TE pool. Flex DB simple as well.
I'd love this. I also love how the NBA 2k games have different power rankings from different sources, different analysts doing mock drafts, etc. It really adds to the depth of the universe that there's more going on than the games you play on the screen--there are different fans and analysts with different opinions on what is going on in your league.
Could you imagine if, just for kicks, Madden incorporated all-pro teams? Or released a yearly "Top 100" list with an NFLN logo? Or a PFF All-Pro team? Or if Bucky Brooks, Todd McShay, and Mike Mayock all had different mock-drafts?
I honestly don't think stuff like that would break the bank for EA in terms of implementation. It's not even like they need to pay ESPN or Fox a licensing fee--if IP is a problem, I'm sure NFLN would be happy to let Madden use their logos and a few of their sports personalities.