By a show of hands – who called in sick from work yesterday?

I’m guessing there were more than a few sports nuts/gamers working on their fake cough Friday just so they could dedicate a whole day to taking EA Sports’ new Madden 10 football for a spin.

Myself, I picked up the game Friday afternoon during my lunch break but didn’t get to play it until late in the evening. And, from the handful of exhibition matchups I did play, I am impressed.

I’ve never been a big fan of the Madden franchise and nearly cried when EA scored the exclusive NFL rights a couple years back. I was, and am, a 2K Sports guy. Their basketball games are amazing and their last NFL contribution, NFL 2K5, was as good a football sim as you will ever find.

Until last year, I was so against Madden I would spend weeks every season updating and creating new rosters for 2K5. It was just that good.

My biggest beef with the Madden franchise was the lack of presentation. Sure, it was packed with more plays and options, but the players looked stiff and nothing like their actual self and game play just seemed so bare bones with no flair or excitement.

Enter Madden 10.

This game combines the best of both the EA and the extinct 2K series. It has the game-play options and playbook that diehard Madden heads adore and the presentation and player animations that 2K fans could never let go of. Even some of the cut scenes look to be ripped straight from NFL 2K5.

EA Sports has set the bar very high despite the lack of competition. I am interested to see what will happen when the exclusive deal is up in 2012.

Will 2K come back with a vengeance or will EA have made such a perfect product by then that no one would dare oppose them? Only time and loyal gamers will tell.

Oh by the way, Maddenitis is not a real disease. But your boss doesn’t know that.

Happy gaming.

Let us know your thoughts on Madden 10.