NFL Head Coach 09, featuring Indianapolis Colts’ head coach Tony Dungy on the game’s cover, is a unique NFL experience that gives gamers the power to make decisions that define their career and ultimately the fate of their franchise as a head coach in the NFL.

In 2007, Dungy became the first African-American coach to win a Super Bowl when the Indianapolis Colts defeated the Chicago Bears 29-17 in Super Bowl XLI. Since Dungy’s arrival to Indianapolis in 2001, the Colts have earned six playoff berths and have won more than 70 regular-season games. Dungy has an impressive .661 winning percentage as a head coach over the past 12 seasons.

NFL Head Coach 09 provides a complete NFL experience, offering a variety of different ways to control an NFL franchise, on and off the field, in-season and off-season. With strategic game planning features, NFL Head Coach 09 places gamers in the coach’s seat by allowing gamers to comprehensively scout the opponent, build playbooks, and develop a team that will adapt to the philosophy and system of an NFL franchise.

EA SPORTS has run a simulation of the 2008 NFL Draft using its game engine from the all-new NFL Head Coach 09, and predicts former Michigan standout Jake Long will be the No. 1 player selected on Saturday by the Miami Dolphins. After listening to fans and the Madden NFL community, EA SPORTS will also plan to ship a stand alone version of NFL Head Coach 09 on September 2, the opening week of the 2008 NFL season. NFL Head Coach 09 will be available on PLAYSTATION 3 and Xbox 360 for the suggested retail price of $49.99.

The NFL Draft is where teams can make or break a season. Drafting players in NFL Head Coach 09 utilizes a new artificial intelligence logic that engages real world strategy which includes the ability to trade future draft picks in order to move up or down the draft board.

College players eligible for the 2008 NFL Draft were selected in a mock draft utilizing NFL Head Coach 09. According to EA SPORTS, rounding out the next four selections after Long will be Glen Dorsey from Louisiana State, Boston College’s Matt Ryan, Chris Long from Virginia and Sedrick Ellis from University of Southern California. USC was the top school represented as four players were selected in the first round and the Atlantic Coast Conference led the way with seven players. Listed below are the draft selections for the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft.

1. Miami Dolphins - Jake Long, LT, Michigan
2. St. Louis Rams - Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU
3. Atlanta Falcons - Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College
4. Oakland Raiders - Chris Long, DE, Virginia
5. Kansas City Chiefs - Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC
6. NY Jets - Vernon Gholston, DE, Ohio State
7. New England Patriots - Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy
8. Baltimore Ravens - Derrick Harvey, DE, Florida
9. Cincinnati Bengals - Darren McFadden, HB, Arkansas
10. New Orleans Saints - Mike Jenkins, CB, USF
11. Buffalo Bills - Devin Thomas, WR, Michigan State
12. Denver Broncos - Ryan Clady, LT, Boise State
13. Carolina Panthers - Branden Albert, G, Virginia
14. Chicago Bears - Rashard Mendenhall, HB, Illinois
15. Cincinnati Bengals (Traded up with the Lions) - Keith Rivers, OLB, USC
16. Arizona Cardinals - Chris Williams, LT, Vanderbilt
17. Minnesota Vikings - Philip Merling, DE, Clemson
18. Houston Texans - Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Tenn State
19. Philadelphia Eagles - Jeff Otah, LT, Pittsburgh
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Limas Sweed, WR, Texas
21. Washington Redskins - Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas
22. Dallas Cowboys - Felix Jones, HB, Arkansas
23. Pittsburgh Steelers - DeSean Jackson, WR, California
24. Tennessee Titans - Jerod Mayo, OLB, Tennessee
25. Seattle Seahawks - Fred Davis, TE, USC
26. Jacksonville Jaguars - Malcolm Kelly, WR, Oklahoma
27. San Diego Chargers - Brandon Flowers, CB, Virginia Tech
28. Dallas Cowboys - James Hardy, WR, Indiana
29. San Francisco 49ers - Kenny Philips, S, Miami
30. Green Bay Packers - Sam Baker, T, USC
31. New England Patriots - Forfeited
32. NY Giants - Gosder Cherilus, T, Boston College
33. Miami Dolphins - Chad Henne, QB, Michigan

NFL Head Coach 09 provides the complete NFL coaching experience, offering a variety of different ways to control an NFL franchise, on and off the field, in-season and off-season. With strategic game-planning features, NFL Head Coach 09 places gamers in the coach’s seat by allowing gamers to comprehensively scout the opponent, build custom playbooks, and develop a team that will adapt to the philosophy and system of an NFL franchise.

The sideline is your playing field in NFL Head Coach 09 - gamers can make adjustments to plays and game strategies in an instant. The outcome of every game depends on game-time decisions made on the sideline. Success depends on proper preparation and knowledge of the opposing teams’ strategies, as well as expert and timely play calling.

New Features :

• NFL DRAFT: The in-game NFL Draft feature creates an authentic rendition of the NFL’s biggest off-season event. As the head coach, you’ll have the opportunity to draft your next superstar, trade up or down and receive draft pick suggestions from your coaching staff. You will have access to an extensive amount of information, but it’s up to you to make decisions that could create a dream franchise!
• LIVE EVENTS: The heat is on as you negotiate contracts and make crucial choices about free agents and trades. You will be under pressure as the seconds tick away on the live clock while you attempt to execute on decisions that you believe are in the best interest of your franchise.
• PLAY CREATOR: Because a coach’s playbook is fundamental to a team’s success, in NFL Head Coach 09 you will be able to build your own customized playbook with “Play Creator”. Play options are endless, as you will have the ability to create customized plays step-by-step. Your personal playbook will automatically be available in your profile when you load Madden NFL 09 and you can even share plays with users online.

Apart from being bundled with EA Madden 09, NFL Head Coach 09 will also be available as a stand alone product for the PS3 and Xbox 360 on Sept. 4, for $49.99.