So, I haven't played a realistic football game since back around NFL 2K1 on the Dreamcast. Most of my football experience is from games like NFL Street, or Blitz. So in a sense, I guess I shouldn't be expecting to do very well in this game with the difficulty set to "All-Pro." However, to get any trophies/achievements, you are forced to play on All-Pro, and that's is the source of all my frustration.
 
Playing against the computer in Madden is an exercise in futility. To be clear, I have went through all the Virtual Training modes, as well as the Madden IQ test mode. I understand that in order to complete passes, you have to understand routes and throw them at the right times. I understand that you have to keep receivers covered and not leave them wide open. Etc. Knowing this does not help you at all. 
When playing on offense, I release my passes at the right times, yet the defenders, seemingly by an act of sheer magic (or rocket boots), get to my wide open receiver by the time the ball reaches him. Even when I hold the throw button, and throw a bullet pass, the defender still gets their in time to swat the ball away, if not intercept it. This ALWAYS happens on throws longer then 10 yards. The only way i can ever receive a pass is by throwing short, line-of-scrimmage passes, and then running the ball. 

The same cannot be said for the computer while it is on offense. No matter how I try and play, the computer always finds a man open. I pick man-to-man coverage, and the computer finds a wide open man. I pick zone coverage, and the computer still finds a wide open man. I decide to take control and cover a receiver on my own, and the computer just throws to a different receiver that's wide open on the other side of the field. No matter what I do, no matter what play I pick, the computer will find a receiver wide open. 
I've even gone so far as letting the computer take control of my team, just to see how it does. I figure in a computer vs. computer match up, it has to be pretty even right? Wrong. Even when i let the computer take control of my guys, the other computer controlled team still finds a man open. Even when i pick the highest rated team, and give the computer the lowest rated team, they steal wipe the floor with me.
 
Long story short, I can't do anything. Running, passing, etc. No matter what play I pick, it fails miserably. On defense, no matter who I control, no matter what play I pick, no matter what I do. The computer still regularly finds a man wide open. I can't control the entire team at once. I have to rely on the computer to control most of my guys. Yet it seems completely unreliable to do that. My guys regularly let someone get away from them, or flat out don't even cover them at all for some reason. I don't understand what I'm not doing right. I don't understand how to make the rest of my teams fulfill their roles, and cover their men. It's very frustrating not even knowing what I'm doing wrong.
 
It seems like Madden is meant only for people who are pure geniuses when it comes to any nuance of football. It assumes you can look at the positioning on the field before a hike, and know exactly what's going to happen before you even start the play. Which is just an unreal expectation for the average video game player, and casual football watcher.
 
Anyone got any advice, or tips as to what I'm not doing right?

I'd say try turning down the difficulty a little.  It doesn't really change the computers approach just makes them a little "dumber". 
 
Control a linebacker and just zone him the whole time, this brings a little bit more pressure from your d-line as the computer always seems to do a better job. Also early reports are that zone plays might be broken so I would stick with lots of man coverage to see if you do a little better.

Try My Skill. It'll take a few games, but the difficulty will make itself perfect for you.

Just change the difficulty.

" Just change the difficulty. "

You didn't know Madden 2010 had Rocket Boots? It's the future, man!

I would suggest changing the difficulty simply to get used to the game itself and how everything works.  Then when you feel more comfortable with the scheme of things you can ramp it back up.  Basically look for the intended receiver first and throw it slightly before when you think you need to (at first)...also try to recognize whether it's man coverage or a zone.  The computer can play a bitch of a zone.  Ultimately, do not lose patience because only bad things happen when you do.  That being said, the game is far from perfect lol.

" @JamesF said:

" Just change the difficulty. "

 All three of the replies in this thread speak of changing the difficulty, which is why the very first paragraph of my original post talks about that very thing. As i said, i'm forced to play at the "All-Pro" level if i want any of the trophies. Which i do. So i don't really have a choice. I'm wanting to figure out how to do better against an "All-Pro" computer. It's not even the hardest difficulty setting, so there has to be some trick to beating it consistently. "

"Either way, hopefully my years of playing Madden will be able to help you some."

I agree with Grilled Cheeze. You need to spend some time learning the basics before you start playing at the second highest diffuculty level. play through a season each on rookie and pro modes, then try all pro. It'll still be challenging, but i guarantee you wont be struggling nearly as much