Well, I don't go out and tell people to go out and purchase the game. I do tell them to give it a rent and then they can decide. DJwolfpak has privately thanked me for suggesting to take another look at the game.
All I can tell you is that zone defense, flats defense and pursuit angles have been greatly enhanced since the last title update. I don't notice the swats by LB's as much, either.
TLC, sorry the game hasn't improved from 2010 to 2011 for you. I don't think changing sliders for both sides, penalties and sub patterns will enhance your experience.
I almost traded Madden in, but the latest defensive title update encouraged me to give it another chance. So far, I haven't been disappointed with that choice.