I really like the difference between Madden 2004 and 2005, the changes and playability are significant. Admittedly the engineers need to make the game more playable in the sense that there should be more, real-life factors to consider, while they balance the fun factor and not scare off potential buyers.
Now on to my wishlist for 2006, and for any engineers, I hope you take at least a few of these into consideration because I have talked with many friends and we all pretty much agree....Feel free to add anything that I might leave out/not think of when it comes to the life-like playability and manueverability of the next Madden...OK, here we go.

First of all, coaches progression only moves up a miniscule amount, even after winning the Superbowl, what else needs to be done to achieve more that 2-3 points? Take win-loss, rivalry wins vs. losses, 3rd and 4th down percentages and overtime wins, just to name a few into account. Make sure the specialized coaches, offensive, defensive and special teams are accredited for this also.

More importantly, CPU trades during the regular season, before week 6 would be more of a novelty item that would increase the realism in the game play.

CPU should be able to offer trades to you, like a prompt comes up on the screen, this can be seen in basketball games and other sports games where the CPU has more of a personality. If you are afraid to inundate the customer with different team offers, put an option where the human player can select which positions he/she is interested in trading for, if any.

There should also be a weekly schedule where the human player can select say, several (4) groups of 6 players go to work out, any number of days before the next game from 1 day to 6 days a week. Also differentiate these options and make it to where any 6 players can go to lift weights and strength and agility are increased over the next few weeks, if the regimen is kept with those players. Yoga for speed and injury points, maybe even acuputure for acceleration and stamina. Aerobics, massages, whatever for different points, just let the user decide which 24 players go to each of these until he choses to stop sending any one of these players to it. I really like this idea, so any 6 players from the OT's to the Kickers can go to any one of these training camps.

In addition to this option, if a player goes to these type of practices mentioned above too often, the player can get injured or might not like playing for the team if he feels overworked.

Also, during the week, from time to time, and on all teams, accidents should occur, i.e., Bret Farve has an accident and broke his wrist, so he will be out for X-amount of time. Also, illegal-drugs should be captured in the game, like if, and just for example, Peyton Manning were to be caught using illegal drugs, a prompt would come up and tell you this, and you have a course of action, whether you shrug it off...other players on the team might try the same thing, and you lose some team repect on your decisions, which could affect who wants to sign with your team and for how much, or if you choose to suspend, fine or throw him off the team. The more harsh you are, the more respect is received from your players. This really just adds a lot of realism and fun in between actual game-time play.

Nagging injuries should be more added, if a player has knee trouble, give him more frequent injuries to the knee of leg. However, I understand that the computer randomly generates both injuries and amounts of time off, so alot of revamping of the system would need to happen if this were to happen.

There should be a better pre-game show, looking at players around the field is good, but can we see Madden and a whole host of others in front of a camera away from the game comparing different players/team stats that might be a factor in the outcome of the game...

Drafted players are rated about the same, every other year or so...make it sporatic, but there should be an exceptionally gifted athelete. I know in Madden 2004 one time I saw a quarterback that came out of the draft an 84 overall, I think there should be more of this. Just make it sporatic and around different positions. Where there is a possibility of rookies being drafted who are 84, 85, and very occasionally 86. Along with this, higher salaries for these superior atheletes.

When designing a field the user should have the ability to choose different colors of turf, like Boise State, with the blue field...the user should decide/pay more if they wanted this truly "customized" stadium option.

When designing uniforms, there should be an option to customize the helmets and jerseys. Helmets like the Michigan Wolverines have, rams spiraling horns, etc. Different looks to fit the team logo, instead of a plain or team logo on the side of it. Even if the options on some of the jerseys/helmets look dumb, they can add to the fun factor, and make a team customizable. Even go so far as to let the user decide which outfits the cheerleaders wear, and they can see them during the game on the sidelines, and during the halftime show.

After one wins a superbowl, there should be more to the realism of winning the world championship, besides a few guys hoisting a trophy for a few minutes. There should be a grand finale of sorts, a presentation of players and awards that they had received during the year, announcements for which of the players on both teams made it to the pro bowl, etc. I'm sure this one won't be looked into though it is rightfully important and unique.

While in owner mode, the user should be able to offer more days where he/she can give away goods at the bottomlines expense.

Also, while in owner mode, the user should be able to choose which items he/she places for sell, food and drinks, merchandise. Player cards should have different values in dollars of revenue when sold, according to the overall ability of the player/performance and fan support for that player. This goes for jerseys as well, different players jerseys should be sold, along with a different value system for them. First string players, if their jerseys are chosen to be sold are worth more than a benched player, unless the bench player begins having a good season, the fan support and attitude towards that player goes up and so does his jerseys price.

Lastly, players should have more dances and freedoms when celebrating a big play, I love it when the defensive lineman does push-ups after lighting-up the quarterback. Different things like having him stand over the quarterback and yell at him or make funny gestures is what fuels football now, also get the offensive players in on it too...if a defender celebrates or ridicules a qb, the linemen step-in and push the defender away, add some realism to the gameplay. This happens in every game now, and it is awesome to watch, i.e. the T.O. standing in the Dallas Star, lately the Randy Moss' (contraversial) acting like he is pulling his pants down, the T.O. marker in the goal post, and signing a football for a member in the crowd. Players being pulled into the crowd by fans, if they jump into them and it was a huge play....etc, etc, etc.

These are alot of things that I would like to see in the up-and-coming
gameplay, hopefully some of these will be taken into consideration, whether because the engineers read this thread (unlikely) or someone elses'. Feel free to revamp mine, and mine are surely not exhaustive...I will try to check up on replies so whoever asks me I will try to answer.