Newspaper Page Text
jfHCI
▲ Baltimore Ravens
Snack Helmet $59.99,
SportsFanOutlet.com
(bedroom, rec room, etc.) and find items like a Bengals pillow and a Patriots pool cue set
Tailgadng.com Run by Joe Cahn, self-proclaimed professional tailgater, this site offers
recipes, trivia and priceless tips (always have jumper cables, and decorate your area). There
are links for supplies such as grills and blenders. But the jewel is a listing of all NFL stadium
parking lots where to tailgate, directions, reservations and restrictions (e.g., RVs are only
allowed in one of the lots at Chicago’s Soldier Field).
Deadspin.com Owned by Gawker Media, Deadspin is a sports blog with all the irrever
ence and sarcasm you won’t find on ESPN. As editor Will Leitch puts it the site reports on
the “other’' side of sports: For instance, coverage of
Michael Vick’s dogfighting scan
dal included a link to his indict
ment and doctored photos of the
Fhlcons QB avoiding pitbulls on
the playing field.
3HDTVS
Olevia 542 i What makes
this 42-inch high-definition j
TV so nice? It’s powered by the
latest technology, with PC in- |
puts so you can connect to your j
computer. Best of all, it’s HDTV '
for a modest price. According to
Pacific Media Associates, a mar
ket research and publishing com
pany HDTV’s 32 inches or larger
average about $2,000. Olevia cuts
that price nearly in half “They offer a lot for the money,”
says Consumer Reports electronics editor Paul Reynolds.
Sony KDS-60A3000 BRA VIA SXRD If you can afford to spend $3,500
on a TV, Sony’s 60-inch behemoth offers a stunning picture in a slim
cabinet The cool factor is Sony’s Motionflow technology, which doubles
the screen’s frames per second for a smoother image that’s perfect for
viewing fast-action sports.
14
USA WEEKEND - Aug. 31-Sepc 2,2007
XJrj * i
BBT TaHMj
4 things to gear you up for
the NFL season
Pro football kicks off next week, and if you love the pointed pigskin
as much as we do, you'll want to be ready, by rachel cericola
IThe Web
SportsFanOutletcom
There’s nothing fancy
about this site, just an awe
some selection of NFL-logoed
goods. Search by team or category
v
t
A-• •
RootbqiJ: '.s39/£y
Reggie Bush Pro Football 2007 The former Heisman winner stars
in his own cellphone game ($5.99-$7.99). Out-coach opponents with play
calling off the field, then dominate them via well-timed stiff arms and
spin moves on the field. Online leader boards track your stats so there’s
never a question as to who’s the best.
4 Fantasy football
ESPN.com This is the granddaddy of all sports
info, including the ever-expanding world of fantasy
footbalL Ibne in six days a week for “Fantasy Focus,” a
short, originally produced video program that offers the latest play
him/sit-him-out debates to make the most of your fictitious teams.
NFL Sunday Ticket Can’t get enough pigskin? If
you’re a DirecTV subscriber, then invest the $269 per sea
son to watch eight games on one screen, or spend the day
glued to the Red Zone Channel. When any team gets close
to scoring, this channel automatically switches to that game.
The “Player Tracker” feature lets you follow up to 18 NFL players from
your fantasy team, with on-screen alerts when they score points for you.
NFL Network Several cable and satellite providers carry this network. It’s
the only one to offer Playbook, a new weekly show that breaks down every
game using the same film that coaches use to devise their game plans, ca
2 Video games
Madden NFL 08 The football series
on the Wii ($49.99) lets gamers act out
plays with the console’s motion-sensing con
troller. Players “snap” the controller to hike
the ball, then arch it through the air like
Peyton Manning to pass. A new “party mode”
features 22 mini-games you can play during
halftime of televised games.
All-Pro Football 2KB It lacks the coveted
NFL license, but All-Pro (PS3, Xbox 360;
$59.99) has deep playbooks, boss graphics
(helmet scuffs, wobbly throws) and a roster of
more than 240 gridiron legends to pick from,
such as Joe Montana, Walter Payton and Reg
gie White. With names like that, even regular
season games feel like the Pro Bowl.
lundaS
(IVnCKETjU
FOOTBALL GAME ON TV: DONALD MtRAI l f. GETTY
NETWORK