Valkyrie,
That's exactly why I loved 2k5 so much. They redefined the modern football sim. I'm not here to bash EA - as justified as I would be - but 2k5 delivered the best running game AND the best passing game (still to date) in a $20 package! I still play it from time to time. "Money plays" were few and far between, the customization options went through the roof (almost too many, perhaps), etc.
EA has put some noticeable effort into making Madden a simulation, but I still can't help but feel like it's arcade-ish. I can't put my finger on why.
Another thing that bothers me is that 2k5 still looks better than Madden/NCAA, and that's even comparing it to the 360 versions. I know graphics aren't everything, but why are we buying these next gen consoles, anyway?