Default all-madden using the passing cone does play great, I can break big plays with good play calls and the cpu does not cheat. Great players really step up on all-madden, when I played 'da Bears Urlacher picked me 5 times, I could not throw over the middle at all. Maybe a little unrealistic, but all 5 of those passes were terrible and I had my passing cone on the intended receiver the whole time. Using the passing cone to look defenders off seems to be a must, if you focus on one receiver good defenders will flow to that direction and you will get picked.
I have all penalties maxed except for holding which is still default, having it maxed caused the cpu to get a holding call every other play. After several games the only penalites I ever see are holding, offsides and false starts. I have mugged receivers on purpose and still have not gotten a PI call.