OK. I just didn't want you to think I am okay with the stutter since they chose to do it that way!
I haven't personally heard the "design choice" term used often other than in describing menus and navigation buttons and such....maybe to describe the presentation elements. It should definitely not be used to describe poor performance. In certain genre games like action adventure you could argue that the video game programmers choose a 30fps for a more cinematic feel but in sports, 60fps all the way. Should be that way in cut scenes as well.
Odd thing is on PC, the initial releases of Madden had 60fps during game and 30fps during cutscenes. Someone found the code in the Frosty editor and was able to make a simple mod that just basically turned off the limiter and most of us PC gamers had 60fps all the time. So I can't help but feel the 30fps is being purposely locked because the game might not be able to hold a solid 60 on next gen consoles with higher textures and lighting.
It's all good. Thanks for clarifying.