Madden 07 Broke new ground on the Xbox 360 this year, but that's only because they're up to date with ps2's madden 05...
However, there is much work to be done....
The game play is still very shotty. There is probably at least one instance a game where a receiver goes up for a pass, get's caught on the defender and stops moving in mid-air, and no flag. There are a lot of missed blocking assignments such as a pulling guard getting stuck on a tackle, or someone missing their pass protection which cause quarterback sacks, even on run plays. Another annoying "feature" is the ability to commit to the run and pass. Just like guessing which type of play the opposing team will run, you must also guess if you will: 1. actually commit. Sometimes, no matter how many times you click the stick, nothing happens. 2. hope that you're defender doesn't do a hit stick on accident and totally miss the play. 3. hit up to commit to the pass, and all of your teammates start blitzing, INCLUDING THE SAFETIES, and watch a bomb float right over their heads for six. Plus, unless you commit to the pass on a constant basis, and the game actually registers that you are TRYING to commit, you will rarely get quarterback sacks unless you're blitzing two or three extra men.
Also, as you gain "Madden Points" and increase your rank, you unlock "Hall of Fame" players, who can't be turned off. So, while they're not in the quick game, it's very frustrating when I'm playing the Colts in my franchise and their offense has Manning, Peyton, Harrison, and Rice. Yes, I do mean Peyton Manning, Walter Peyton (legendary running back), Marvin Harrison, and Jerry Rice (wrote the Wide Receiver record book). That's a pretty lob-sided combination.
But, the addition of the new mini games are nice. If you know how to do them. In the 40-yard dash drill, i've ran two sub 4.4 times. And I mostly run it with either Diangelo Hall or Chad Johnson. It's tricky to say the least. The Bench press is not adjusted according to which type of player you're lifting with. To put it simply, I can put of 41 reps at 225 lbs with RT Willie Anderson and with K Shayne Graham.
All of that said, the game still looks good when played. The addition of referee Ed Hochuli is a wonderful touch, and it even incorporates his trademark "fist pound". All of the players have their accurate game-day attire, and the way the field gets beaten up is pretty realistic (unless it's raining). The play books are all accurate, minus most of the trick plays like the half back pass, but other than that, everything is pretty much on par.
Overall, Madden 07 is taking amazing strides to living up to it's previous generation counterparts, but that doesn't mean it's almost there. There are many advancements that need to be made and many problems that need to be fixed.