1. No one plays from the view of ESPN NFL 2k5 posted above. play from a gameplay perspective and the game doesn't look far superior. The character models in VC's sports games have always been superior, but the animations are jittery and look odd (stick up the ass style). Madden has "short and stubby" players, but in motion the game is gorgeous.
2. 2kx = style, madden = substance. madden made some decent strides in the presentation department in franchise mode this past year. they added the radio show, newspaper clippings and an ok layout. it's nowhere near as nice as the pregame stuff in ESPN NFL 2k5 or the way the players pic/info pops up. but i'm not very concerned about that
3. with PS2 being the lead platform, it has been a problem all generation. we all know xbox and gamecube can do better than this. but what can you do? the game still looks above average, and it looks great in motion. compare madden 2001 on ps2 to NFL 2k1 on dreamcast. madden 2001 was graphically revolutionary. critics and fans alike were awed. prepare to be awed again when 2006 comes to xbox 360
p.s. at least i hope