On defense, your formations confound the opposition, leaving them unsure when your players are going to blitz and when they’re going to drop into coverage. You level running backs after each hand-off, and you blanket wide receivers with tight coverage that forces opposing quarterbacks to make risky throws.

Leaping Catch. Check out an instant replay after the whistle blows and watch your success from all angles.

Between games, you retreat to the front office and make executive decisions, ensuring that your team’s key players are signed to long-term contracts. Doing so bumps up their morale, but you notice that fan support continues to lag, despite the team’s recent success. Sensing they’re probably still upset after last season’s losing record, you decide that the next home game will be Fan Appreciation Day, complete with cheaper concession prices.

“The harder you work, the harder it is to surrender.” — Vince Lombardi

“At the end of each year, we sit down and come up with a list of things we can make better in next year’s game,” explains assistant producer Russell Kiniry. “All the features, new and old, continue to make Madden a closer representation of what you see in the NFL every week during the season.”

“The guys here watch an unbelievable amount of game film from each team in the NFL to help create [realistic playbooks].”

- assistant producer Russell Kiniry

From Al Michaels’ play-by-play and John Madden’s color commentary to realistically-rendered players, coaches, and stadiums to a strict adherence to NFL rules, Madden NFL 08 lives up to that idea. In fact, it’s the only place you can turn for a realistic digital football experience, thanks to the game’s exclusive use of NFL and NFL Players Association licenses. All 32 NFL franchises are represented here, along with key historical teams, NFL Europe clubs, and even a few fictional ones thrown in for fun.

Populate the Seats. Create unique fans who will cheer on your team.

“One of the first places we start every year is ensuring we have realistic playbooks,” notes Kiniry. “The guys here watch an unbelievable amount of game film from each team in the NFL to help create those. Fans will see a lot of the same formations and plays that their favorite teams use.”

He adds: “We’re also always looking at how players handle situations in the game. For example, if we notice a cornerback is not playing a certain route correctly, we’ll go in and make changes.”

Ice Bowl, Part II. The Cleveland Browns take on one of the game’s fictional teams.

“It’s not whether you get knocked down, it’s whether you get up.” — Vince Lombardi

New features in Madden NFL 08 include: the ability to control the lead blocker or a wide receiver during a play, rather than starting in the shoes of the quarterback; Hit Stick 2.0, an enhanced version of a previous feature that lets you deliver more precise tackles on defense; and skill drills that help you sharpen your passing, rushing, and defense skills, along with your ability to adjust plays at the line of scrimmage.

In addition, teams now possess Player Weapons. Many players at all positions feature icons that, for example, differentiate between scrambling quarterbacks, those with incredible arm strength, and the ones with precision passing skills.

“All the features, new and old, continue to make Madden a closer representation of what you see in the NFL every week during the season.”

- assistant producer Russell Kiniry

“It acts as a way to point out players that stand out in different aspects of football, to teach rookie players the game,” Kiniry notes. “It also helps set apart the elite players by the way they play, making them invaluable to fans who have been playing Madden for years.”

Path of Glory. In Hall of Fame mode, you guide a young rookie through his career, all the way to Canton.

Your accomplishments in all areas of the game feed into the Ring of a Champion, another new feature that tracks your progress in key areas by filling in spots on a championship ring with diamonds and other stones. For example, you’ll want to attempt all of the skill drills, as well as try your hand at NFL Superstar: Hall of Fame mode, which challenges you to guide a player from his rookie year to his ultimate goal: enshrinement at the NFL Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.

“Winning is not a sometime thing; it’s an all-time thing.” — Vince Lombardi

You can also fill in Ring of a Champion slots by achieving certain goals in Franchise mode, where all aspects of Madden NFL 08 come together. Manage every detail of your team, from drafting new players each spring to running training camps and playing in pre-season exhibitions to guiding your players through the season. Play through multiple seasons, building a history complete with the ups and downs experienced by all professional sports teams.

The Biggest Game of the Year. The Rams and the Chargers clash in the Super Bowl.

When you’ve mastered competition against computer-controlled opponents, head online to take on other players. Join clubs and participate in tournaments and leagues as you ascend the leader boards. You’ll also find a variety of quick games, such as two-minute drill, where you try to score as many touchdowns as you can in two minutes, earning points for each one.

“The popularity of the NFL and the innovations we put into the game bring gamers back year after year,” sums up senior product manager Jerrold Smith. Here’s your chance to join them.

If you liked this game, check out:

• Kick Off 2002
• Need For Speed: Carbon
• NHL Eastside Hockey Manager 2007
• Out of the Park Baseball 11
• Tiger Woods PGA Tour 08