Really, I was fed-up with all the NFL crappola, playoff seedings and slo-mo analysis. I was fully prepared to skip the Broncos-Titans game on Christmas night. But, a few days before Christmas I picked up Madden 2005 for the Playstation for only 20 bucks.

Now I'm interested again. If only for one more week. Madden 2005 is an advertisement for the NFL, and the NFL is an advertisement for Madden 2005. You can't play Madden without thinking "golly, I can't wait for the next NFL game". Conversely, you can't watch an NFL game without thinking "golly, I can't wait to do that in Madden".

Furthermore, I'm geeked because Madden's gameplay has changed a bit. You can't simply call a running play, burst into the line, tap your SPRINT button and rumble for 12 yards. You have to ... read your blocking! As a former line coach, this makes me all kinds of Pants-Pissing Happy.

Couple questions for you hardcore Madden-ers out there:
1. Are the NFL Europe teams still in there? I know they were there in the last version I bought (the one with Daunte Culpepper on the cover). So far I haven't found 'em.
2- Can you edit the music selections? More specifically: can I NOT hear those fucking New Found Glory and Chevelle songs?!! They need to team up with Linkin Park for Cock-less Lame Ass Homo Rock Vol. I.