Okay, maybe it's not.

I've always been an "older game systems" kinda guy.  Now, I'm not breaking out my 2600 every night, but I was, up until a few weeks ago, using an N64 as my primary gaming console.

Hannukah time brought a Nintendo GameCube to my family's home.  It's still an "older" system, but my wife and I are Nintendo people, and we prefer older systems since the used games are far more affordable than new ones for the elite consoles.

So, up until a few weeks ago, I was playing Madden '02 on N64. 

Madden '04 on GameCube is, of course, several measures better.  Play Control, improved graphics, Al Michaels has more than the seemingly hal####ozen expressions Pat Summerall was using, etc. 

I've seen and played '06, but I'm not sold on the passing cone. I don't think it adds to the realism of the game.  Video game football can't and shouldn't approximate the actual, on-the-field gameplay involved in the sport.  I don't need good hands to catch a pass.  I don't need good stamina to run the ball.  I need good hand-eye coordination for video game playing.

So, for my money, Madden '04 is the bee's knees.

Joe P has entered the stadium.

Joe is into his second meal of the tailgating day outside the Rose Bowl.  And now he's hobnobbing with the stars... Or, more specifically, Tom Arnold.

Not to mention the dudes with the slick gas-powered BLENDER -- aka the TailGator:

Oh, and don't forget Joe's trusty Honda Generator, going strong for over 3.5 hours:

ABC is conducting "fan on the street" interviews:

The DirecTV receiver is set up and they're watching while they tailgate:

And, of course, ESPN is there....

My friend and colleague Joe is at the Rose Bowl, tailgating just a few feet away from a FOX Sports truck.  Here's  a cruddy phone photo he took there...

So yesterday, in a fit of mediocrity triumphing over hubris, the Indianapolis Colts did what every other team in the NFL has done already this season.

They lost.

And let me be be the first to say, Hahahahahahahahahahaha.

The Eagles gave their fans a mercy killing last night, when they fell to the New York Giants in overtime.

Let's get everybody rested for next season, guys.  Thanks.

Oh, and I heard a little something about some wide receiver.  I think you guys should prolly just get rid of him.

I hate John Madden.

There, I said it.

Al Michaels, on the other hand, is great.  I even like Troy Aikmen.  Which football announcers are your favorites for the NFL?

It's way too early to predict, so let's do it anyway! Now that the Eagles are way out of it and I have nothing to live for, let's make wildly unrealistic guesses about the big game.

What will the final score of the Superbowl be?

Colts: 38
Giants: 24