It's a bit earlier than expected but apparently the Madden NFL 09 demo is now available on Xbox Live, with a PSN version presumably not far behind. If you grab the demo, be sure and let us know what you think here in the comments sections below.

Speaking of Madden 09, our coverage of the year's biggest sports game is only just beginning. Earlier in the week, we let loose with our Madden NFL 09 Launch Center, an all-in-one repository for the latest Madden knowledge from GameSpot and the experts over at SportsGamer. Madden fans will want to spend some extra time in the Training Camp section of the Launch Center, which focuses all of SportsGamer's Madden strategies for rookies and vets alike. Later this week, we'll have an even bigger addition to the training camp that I think will blow your minds like it did mine.

If you haven't listened to the latest episode of our sports podcast, From the Bleachers, you can check it out here. It's notable for it's near complete lack of Brett Favre discussion as well as the appearance of Bleachers newb Shaun McInnis who, after his beloved Sonics moved to Oklahoma, has now declared himself a free agent in the world of NBA fandom! You hear that, Charlotte Bobcats? Now's your chance to scoop him up!

This week's From the Bleachers Community Question is: What is your favorite and least favorite version of the Madden NFL series? As for me, I have a special place in my heart for Madden NFL 98, not because it was particuarly good, but because it was the first game I ever bought for the original PlayStation. As for the worst game, I'd say that any Madden on the Nintendo DS is a fine candidate for badness.

What about you? Which versions of the series rank as the highs and lows?