I can do that right now in NCAA 09 though. I press the Player Select button until Pre-Snap and then don't press it again once the play starts. Some of us actually created this as a house rule to imitate Player Lock in our dynasties.
With the method you're describing, I'm actually pressing more buttons per play (one every play instead of one each defensive possession) and the only added benefit is a camera angle change.
Neither of these are the same as the Player Lock that has been in every sports game to date. Thanks for answering the questions though.