I'm quite dissapointed in 2K games. After having played 2K5 as my first football game, I was really looking forward to APF 2K8... just to find out that it wasn't going to be released in Europe and have a region protection.
Anyway, like Tengo said, wait for Madden 10. Madden 09 is a game. Not a simulation. Madden 10 looks very promising.