Simply because its a far better game then what we got to choose from now. Madden on next gen now is just that bad. I have friends that play older NCAAs usually just cuz they wanna get more use out of them it seems like, thats weird. But current Madden players are created players too...just by developer instead of some other people, not really a big difference since Madden's just been a roster update anyway.
I miss out on the headshots, Cards & Viks newer uniforms & some current stadiums but Madden has been that bad for some people including me to were we just don't care about those things and just want solid game play. I dunno if 2K patched in more last names or what though, cuz they actually say unique names that definitely weren't in the game by 2004 like "Harvin" and "Pettigrew".
Shit I even play Madden 08 on PC with updated rosters over getting the new Maddens on next gen, plus with that new Backbreaker patch, hell I'm good.