I love purple dinosaurs

Don't you?

Alright, I confess: this entry has nothing to do with the children's character who has haunted our screen for more than twenty years. It's about a certain hapless basketball team that have stumbled on the courts for about seventeen years: the Toronto Raptors.

Primarily, I'm just left asking the question... what happened to the purple?

Before you jump on me with the ravenous fervor of the team's namesake, I will already state that, yes, I'm aware that the mascot is, and always has been, red. However, for the first eleven seasons, the Raptors' jerseys were a rather regal shade of violet.

Over the years, the design went through a few modifications, first losing the vertical pinstripes and the obtuse logo on the front of the jersey, and then, in 2006, the team switched gears entirely. The new jerseys were red and black, and the purple was gone.

I'm not necessarily against the new(ish) jerseys. On the contrary, I think they look pretty sharp. I'm just not clear as to why they made the change, especially considering that fans seemed to really dig the purple and red combo (most Raptors hats people wear are still the ones that have purple on them).

It couldn't be due to a conception that purple is a 'wussy' colour. The Lakers have certainly debunked that notion. Could it have something to do with the defection of the Vancouver Grizzlies? Once they split for Memphis, the Raptors effectively went from just being 'Toronto's team', to what could be considered 'Canada's team'.

Could the shift to a focus on red be an attempt to capitalise on the national colours? Possibly. It's all pointless speculation at the moment, though.

Will we ever see the purple make a return as an alternate jersey? Hopefully. Especially instead of those hideous camo jerseys that have been making the rounds. One of the things about the purple jerseys is that they represent a time of success and excitement for this franchise. The Vince Carter years. The first round upset of the Knicks. That kind of thing.

It's a bit like the Blue Jays' brief rebranding of 2004-2011. After trying a few other poorly received new logos, they settled on a black motif and a slick-looking Blue Jay emblem. The jerseys were pretty good, I reckon, but the best years of the Jays were in the early 90s, and people wanted that style back. This year's new garb is a true throwback to the classic design, and fans are eating it up.

...And for the record, I actually was a fan of Barney as a kid. He had a lesson for everyone.

It finally happened.

And it took the fine efforts of the guys at RaptorsBlog for me to see the light.

After eight years of growling, of cursing, and of bitterness at the very mention of one man's name, I can finally say...

I have forgiven Vince Carter.

Upon reading this RaptorBlog interview, I was able to think back happily on those glory days, when Vince made the Raptors relevant and exciting, and somehow, the grim circumstances surrounding his departure didn't weigh on my mind.

Was it because it occurred to me how well Chris Bosh was able to pick up the role of franchise cornerstone? Was it because Vince's many great accomplishments in Toronto finally wooed me back? Or was it just because I had been waiting so long to hear Vince talk about the Raptors fans, like we were old friends, that I've simply been brainwashed?

It doesn't matter. I'm in a happy place now. Given some more time, maybe I'll even go into the depths, and unearth that familiar old purple #15.

I miss him so much

Business as usual

As the years go by, franchises rise and fall. Well, ideally, they rise and fall. In my case, however, it's mostly falling. Other than a few brief competitive streaks by the Titans, I've had very little to celebrate in sports.

I mean, just look at my beloved Blue Jays: they haven't been in the playoffs since their last World Series victory. The Jays haven't been in the playoffs since I was five years old, man. That's ludicrous! I love them, but wow, that's a long time, huh?

However, I have been very lucky to avidly follow the Vancouver Canucks for the last few years, and now, they have claimed back to back President's Trophies.


I know... When you can't put it all together and claim a championship, the President's Trophy is more of a beacon of wasted opportunity than anything else (just ask Capitals fans), but it's still a nice thing to have, right?

Though, admittedly, last year's horrible finals collapse vs. the Bruins, or the Titans 13-3 season that ended in disaster against the Ravens in the divisional round, were among the worst lows I've ever experienced as a fan.

...Ehhhhh... negativity mounting... screw it, CANUCKS ARE GOOD. YAY!

Beyond my control: Koopa Troopa

There are a few times in my life where I want something really really baldy (thank you, iPhone auto-correct). Like, practically obsessionally. As though, somehow, if it happened, it would make my life better. Unfortunately, these are sometimes things that I have no control over whatsoever.

I become fixated on the oddest things, it seems, and in this (theoretically) recurring theme, I'll address some of those obsessions. So far, I have been fairly luckless in my dreaming, but nothing is impossible, and all going well, most of these things may occur before I'm done.

To get started, I look at one of my first bits of wishful thinking. It's a little strange, but still, it gave me fits. Mild little fits, but fits all the same. You see, ever since Super Mario Kart in 1992, I have been a great big fan of the Koopa Troopa. The reason why is fairly simple; I, like any other gaming kid of the early 90s, loved Yoshi. He was one of the coolest additions in Super Mario World, and though his popularity has dipped significantly since Yoshi Story's introduction of the goofy, squeaky voice, back in SMK, he was hot property. Kids wanted to play as Yoshi.

My older sister was quick on the draw however, and was always able to snag the green guy first. So naturally, I would evolve and adapt, and select the most 'Yoshi-like' of the remaining roster. In this case, it was Koopa Troopa. And, as a result, I would grow to love the little gaffer. He quickly became my favourite Mario character, and over time, would take the title of favourite gaming character of all (other faves include Falco Lombardi and Sonic the Hedgehog).

So you can imagine my shock and disdain when Mario Kart 64 hit the shelves, and was distinctly lacking in Koopa Troopa. Wow. In only five short years, I had already been dealt my first roster-based blow. To some, the exclusion of a hot rookie in a new sport game would dampen their experience. For me, it was the absence of a cute turtle. To each his own, really.

And unfortunately for me, the Nintendo 64 era would be a dark age to be a Koopa Troopa fan. Routinely, Mario games would come out, and you could select your Luigi or your Yoshi or your Wario... But, more often than not, there would be no Koopa. I could reel them off: Mario Party, Mario Golf, Super Smash Bros... There was no Koopa lovin'. And I felt so damned gypped. He was foot soldier numero uno, how was he not worth inclusion?

Finally, in 2000, the draught was ended, when Koopa Paratroopa was made playable for Mario Tennis. And, lo and behold, a Koopa named Kooper was one of the selectable sidekicks for Paper Mario. From there, Koopa would enter a renaissance of playability that has proven ongoing: if it's a Mario game, then chances are good that you can play as the Koopa Troopa. He still hasn't hit the mack daddy: the Smash Bros series. But this year, at long last, he became a part of the Mushroom Kingdom box social, Mario Party 9. I have waited so damned long to be able to use Koopa in a Mario Party game, and I honestly admit that 80% of the reason I bought it was simply so I could use him.

The more things change, the more they stay the same. So I shall raise my glass, celebrating 20 years of avid Koopa fandom. Here's to 20 more years of turtle power, be it in the driver's seat, on the soccer pitch, or in the courtroom (Super Mario Lawyer: BELIEVE).

Favourite moments in sport #2

I really enjoyed yesterday's reflection, so I thought I'd throw more out there.


#3 Vince Carter wins the 2000 dunk contest
It'll be a long time yet before I forget how hurt I felt when Vince Carter messily divorced the Raptors in 2004, but I'll always have my memories of happier days. You can taint them in hindsight, but you can't take away the magic they once held.

Carter's dominance of the dunk contest at the top of the millennium was a spectacle that's still spoken of today. Some call Vince the best dunker of his time, and finally, the Toronto Raptors could claim that one of their own was the very best. There hasn't been a great deal of success for the young franchise, and other than a playoff series win in 2001 (also courtesy of Vince), this would probably be the #1 moment for most Raps' fans.

My favourite part is 7:57, where Michael Keaton looks on in amazement. That's right, even Beetlejuice is awe-struck!!

#4 The Music City Miracle
Come on, you had to know it was coming, right? Buffalo fans, clutch tightly to your memories of January '93, because moment #4 is that controversial old favourite.

In the dying seconds of the wildcard match against the Bills, the Titans held a 16-15 disadvantage as they fielded Steve Christie's kickoff from the 25-yard line. The rest is automatic in the minds of Titans fans: Lorenzo Neal hands the ball to Frank Wycheck. Wycheck heads to his right, pivots, and piffs the ball across the field to Kevin Dyson, who takes it the rest of the way, untouched. To the naked eye, the trajectory of the pass is nearly impossible to determine. Is it a legal lateral? Or did it go forward, rendering the play dead? Bills fans will always attest it to be the latter, but the officials upheld the play. Titans win, and go all the way to the Superbowl. Unfortunately, in that Superbowl, the magical moment would happen to the wrong team...


#5 2006 Rose Bowl
As a change of pace, this one wasn't achieved by a team I follow, though it did hold serious connotations for the Tennessee Titans. For me, this game was basically all about Vince Young. If the Longhorns won, Vince would declare himself eligible for the NFL draft, where the Titans, with pick #3, were in position to take him. Should the USC Trojans win, Vince had indicated he would go back to Texas for his senior year. The Titans couldn't be certain to hold that lofty a position in the draft, and likely would have taken Matt Leinart instead. Titans wanted Vince, they wanted this.

And it just may have been the most exciting game I have ever watched, college, pros, or otherwise. The Trojans were likely the better team overall, but Vince Young was a man among boys. Sure, he had some help along the way, but without him, it wouldn't have even been close. Then, on 4th and 5, Vince dashes with the ball into the endzone, securing a national championship for the Longhorns.

Texas wins, Vince is drafted by the Titans, and is cut five seasons later. But hey, two out of three ain't bad.

Favourite moments in sport #1

In this segment, I share with you all of my most favourite moments in sport history. As you can appreciate, most (probably all) of them will be associated with teams I support, but who knows, maybe I'll surprise you along the way. I promise nothing.

In no particular order...

#1: Joe Carter's walk-off home run
Often, if you were to ask me what's my proudest moment for all of my many supported teams, this would be the one that immediately springs to mind. The Blue Jays were winners, and as back-to-back champions, they were emphatically the best.

I'm very proud of the Jays' 1992 World Series win, but it lacked the magical climax of its successor. In '93, in game 6, in Toronto, the Phillies were in the lead, and Joe Carter had 2 strikes against him. As the commentator notes, and as is clear to anyone, Carter does not look comfortable as he lets the first few pitches go by. Did Mitch Williams have him reeling? Or was he simply looking for the pitch?

Who knows, and who cares. Carter finally hits it, and he nails it deep left. My favourite replay is the one that shows Carter right after he hits it, and is heading to first. Watching his face, and his body language, as he begins to realise that it has enough to clear the wall, and finally, when it's a certainty... What a feeling that must have been for him. To have been involved in the play that won the World Series in two straight years, and to have done it like this. Truly special. Do yourself a favour, watch it in its entirety.

#2: Sidney Crosby's Golden Goal
This one tends to duel back and forth with Joe's homer for the moments that give me the most elation. This game had everything you wanted: supreme talent, rivalry, drama, intrigue... It was the bitter brothers, trading blows and taking it to overtime. And one of the special things about this win was that Canada had faltered en route to the final challenge, and had to best some really stiff competition along the way.

Both North American nations would hold their breath as this one would finish regulation undecided. And then, it happened. Crosby gets the puck from a tumbling Jarome Iginla (one of my favourites!), and plants it in the net. The team, the crowd, the entirety of British Columbia lose their shit. It's absolutely beautiful, and I will treasure it always. And the fact that it happened in Vancouver... my Vancouver... makes it truly special.

Eddie George is...

HILARIOUS.

Hodgson to Buffalo

With the NHL trade deadline just passed, I'm sitting here with shock, bemusement, and at this point, a hint of dismay. Because talented center Cody Hodgson has been traded from the Canucks to the Buffalo Sabers.

I can't claim to understand the mindset behind dealing a hot rookie providing some crucial offense, but I'm not the expert. With Kesler and the Sedins, are the Canucks simply stacked in the goal-scoring department?

Just reading the phone interviews with CoHo, the kid sounds bummed. As well he should, really. No doubt he feels besmirched to be so early in his career, and earning his minutes on the ice, only to be shipped elsewhere.

But like I said, I'm not the expert. They have their reasons, and hopefully, we as 'Nucks fans will be the benefactors of a new-look team that is even more successful!

Hell yeah

'nuff said.

...not 'nuff said? more said here.

First Best!

Though it could be excused due to the blog being titled 'Tacknologic' in reference to the Tennessee Titans, I don't feel as though I give enough love to my other favourite teams. As such, in this entry, I shall pay homage to the favourite players of my favourite teams.

Tennessee Titans
Steve McNair (1995-2005)

We've done this one before, of course. But at a glance, I'd feel this entry was incomplete if I didn't at least mention my favourite athlete of any sport. Steve McNair was the quiet, stoic man of steel who embodied the spirit of the Titans for over a decade. He is still missed, and the Titans would benefit a great deal from a little bit of his selfless determination.

Vancouver Canucks
Ryan Kesler (2003-present)

It's an awesome time to be a Canucks fan at the moment. With a wealth of talent young and old, there is reason for optimism, and a great many guys I could call my favourite. Other candidates are Kevin Bieksa and Maxim Lapierre. Kes gets the nod however, for being everything you want to be as a hockey player: he's tough, he's witty, and he scores a lot of goals. Defense wins championships, but offense wins Tony.

Toronto Blue Jays
José Bautista (2008-present)

Though I've been a fan of the Jays for a while, it wasn't until 2010 that I started following them that closely. As such, I can't in all fairness anoint a player from the World Series era as my favourite, though Joe Carter does take the silver. In the case of Bautista, he's big, he's bad, and he's ready to crack some homers. Honestly, everyone loves a slugger, and that's what Bautista is. Plus, the fact that Toronto was where he became something; from a Pirates castoff to home run king, that's the kind of thing you love to see.

Toronto Raptors
Chris Bosh (2003-2010)

Yup, it's true. As much as I want to claim Andrea Bargnani or Ed Davis holds my heart, I still see Bosh as head and shoulders above the rest. I still wish him the best and want him to succeed, because unlike other superstars who have come and gone, he didn't force his way out of Toronto. Tracy McGrady and Vince Carter could have been dominant if they had stayed together, but they bolted. Bosh did leave for Miami, but he tried his very best while he was a Raptor, with nobody around him. My second favourite is Jamaal Magloire, because he is a Canadian and Canadians are good.

BC Lions
Doug Flutie (1990-1991)

Indeed, for only two seasons of service, the Boston College hero still garners my adulation. More appropriate would be his brother Darren, a five-year Lion great. But Doug's entire package: his success in the CFL, his completely un-prototypical build and style, and his heart, make him one of my favourite football players overall. The fact that he briefly played for the Lions just makes it even sweeter.

Sydney Swans
Mike Pyke (2009-present)

Can't say I've ever been able to get into Australian rules football. Just not my kind of sport, really. Despite this, it's beyond easy for me to choose my favourite AFL player, because Mr. Pyke hails from Victoria, BC, and that practically makes him my neighbour. He hasn't made much of an impact yet, besides being a capable reserve, but hopefully he'll come to the forefront as Shane Mumford gets on in age.

Vancouver Whitecaps
Martin Nash (2004-2010)

Does this one count? Though last year was the inaugural season of the MLS franchise, the Vancouver Whitecaps is a name that has been around since 1974. Martin Nash was a member of the second iteration of the Whitecaps, then of the USL and USSF Division 2. In my mind, then, the historical players of the franchise can still be considered one in the same with players of the MLS 'Caps. And in Nash's case, he's Steve Nash's friggin' brother, man. How can you not love that? For those of you crying foul, my supplementary answer is Eric Hassli, and yes, it is entirely based on the goal vs. the Sounders. Allow me to close with that, because it simply looks better every time I see it!

Jevon Kearse says...

Canada is ready for an NFL team.

During an NFL-sanctioned Super Bowl party in Toronto, Kearse said, "The NFL is here. They might as well come across the border and make it happen." (Sourced from CTV News)

I always loved Jevon, and apparently, he loves us (Canadians) back. Dare to dream, eh?

10 Super Bowls later...

For the third straight year, I have been able to claim a hollow 'victory' at the end of the NFL season, because the team I preferred has won. The last two years, it was because of my contempt for the opponents, the longtime rival Colts and Steelers, but this year, it was because I was at a game in New York this season; their week 2 win over the Rams on Monday Night Football. For this reason, I had temporary ownership of the Giants, in a sense; I was part of their Super Bowl season, and I think that's pretty damn cool.

Anyhow, this of course was my tenth Super Bowl, and at this glorious benchmark, I thought I'd rank them from worst to best. Not necessarily by the quality of the game, but how I look back on them. (spoiler: XLI will not rank highly)

#10: Super Bowl XLI
February 4, 2007
Indianapolis Colts 29, Chicago Bears 17

Oh come on. As if it would have been anything else? This game ranks far, far at the bottom for me for a plethora of reasons, and yes, the most obvious one is the most prominent: my most hated rival won the Super Bowl. At the end of each season, when the Titans were eliminated, I could at least rest easy knowing that the Colts met a similar fate. I guess it's because the two teams were neck and neck for so long: we traded AFC south crowns back and forth, shared MVP honours in 2003, and seemed unable to break through and win the big one.

Then, they did it. Peyton Manning's Colts handled Rex Grossman's Bears with ease. And in my mind, it was predominantly because of the horrible play of the latter. Rex Grossman was a disaster in this game, completing 20 of 28 passes for 165 yards, with one touchdown and two picks. It felt less like the Colts won this game, more like Rex Grossman lost it.

The only highlight was right at the beginning, when the Bears' Devin Hester returned the opening kickoff for six points. From there, it was an ugly battle duelled in ugly, rainy conditions.

And to top it all off, Peyton won MVP honours on 25/38, 247 yards, 1 TD and 1 Int. And that is ludicrous. If the decision makers had balls, they would have given the award to the man who truly shined for the Colts: no-name running back Dominic Rhodes: 21 carries for 113 yards and a touchdown. He sustained drives, and took the Colts downfield. It's true, and you all know it.

#9: Super Bowl XL
February 5, 2006
Pittsburgh Steelers 21, Seattle Seahawks 10

Speaking of ugly, this game likely wins the award in that department. From the play of Ben Roethlisberger (9/21 for 123 yards, 2 Ints) to the officiating, this was simply not the way your championship game should look. Indeed, if I were to advise someone who had never seen a game before to avoid watching one Super Bowl, this would be it.

Unbelievably, and I feel guilty about it now, I wasn't entirely dissatisfied seeing the Steelers win that season. It makes me feel dirty spouting such slander, but I truly wanted to see Bill Cowher, Hines Ward and Jerome Bettis win a championship. It just felt right, y'know? However, I really would have preferred for it to have been a year earlier, against those damned Patriots (impossible seeding notwithstanding)!

Matt Hasselbeck was one of my favourite quarterbacks long before he became a Titan, and it's unfortunate to have seen him and his Seahawks stooged in a poorly managed game. Additionally, the Seahawks are the closest thing I have to a home team, so I would have to imagine that in their next Super Bowl, unless they're playing Tennesee or Toronto (fingers crossed!), I would be steadfastly behind them. Maybe it's because of my treachery that they faltered?

#8: Super Bowl XXXVII
January 26, 2003
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 48, Oakland Raiders 21

This one is such a distant memory for me, it's hard to quite recall much about it, beyond it being a blowout.

The 2002 Raiders were one of my favourite teams: their stars included Rich Gannon, Jerry Rice, Tim Brown, Charles Woodson, Rod Woodson and Bill Romanowski. Damn man, I thought they were an automatic win. They were favoured by 4, but unfortunately for them, Bill Callahan, or whoever was in charge of playcalling that day, was an absolute idiot.

For them to have recycled Jon Gruden's playbook, to the point of even having the exact same audible signals, is simply unfathomable. If I had known such a thing was going to happen (and admittedly at that point, I didn't know squat about football), I may have seen it coming.

On the plus side however, when I learnt more about football, I discovered that I liked a lot of the guys on the Buccaneers' roster, so I could celebrate (post-script) their win. After all, I owe my very interest in football to the exploits of Warren Sapp, and I certainly think that's something worth being thankful for!

#7: Super Bowl XLII
February 3, 2008
New York Giants 17, New England Patriots 14

It's funny, actually, that while some people consider this to have been one of the best Super Bowls of all time, I found it quite boring up until the fourth quarter. I'm not against defensive struggles (after all, I played and loved defense!), but when you've got the record-setting offense of the '07 Patriots out there, you expect a show.

Instead, the teams traded jabs back and forth, and it looked towards the end like the Patriots would complete their undefeated season in the exact nature that was expected. Then, it happened: With 1:15 left to play, on 3rd and 5 from his 44-yard line, Eli Manning escaped the grasp of Adalius Thomas, Jarvis Green and Richard Seymour. He flung the ball downfield, and David Tyree came down with an impossible catch. Hopefully, that'll be the last I'll have to mention of that overrated homophobe.

This year, for most of the game, I was hoping for the Patriots to win it all. I like Randy Moss and I love Junior Seau: I wanted them to claim the rings they'd long deserved. Then, on that game-winning drive, New York won me over, and my allegiance changed. Funnily enough, part of that was seeing Peyton Manning cheering his brother on. I liked that. What I didn't like, however, was the gutless decision on the MVP award again. Eli, at 19/34, 255 yards, 2 TDs and 1 Int, did win them that game with his heroics at the end. Justin Tuck, with 5 tackles, 1 assist, 2 sacks and a forced fumble, however, was the reason they were in a position to win, in my mind.

#6: Super Bowl XXXVIII
February 1, 2004
New England Patriots 32, Carolina Panthers 29

Again, I hardly remember this one. I wanted the Panthers to win it, that was for sure, with Tony favourites like Jake Delhomme, Muhsin Muhammad and Stephen Davis, but of course, it was not to be.

The defining moment was likely John Kasay's late kickoff that went out of bounds, putting New England at the 40-yard line and allowing them to drive down field to kick the winning field goal, but for some reason, I don't remember it having happened. I would imagine John Kasay would like to feel the same way, for that matter.

One of the main reasons, and I had forgotten this until now, that I wanted the Panthers to win was because the Patriots had defeated the Titans en route to this Super Bowl, and it's just one more reason why Steve McNair never got his ring. Damned Patriots, now I'm really glad they lost today.

#5: Super Bowl XXXIX
February 6, 2005
New England Patriots 24, Philadelphia Eagles 21

Donovan McNabb and Terrell Owens were the headliners for an explosive Eagles team in 2004, and they were gunning for the Patriots. I was definitely backing them, I was fast growing sick of New England's winning ways, and looked forward to seeing a new breed of champion crowned.

This one is tarnished in my memory because of my dad's problems with diabetes, which hit their peak at this point. Severe foot pain led to his early retirement from the game, and I'm always going to remember it as a deflating ending. To top it off, Donovan McNabb ran out of gas in the end, and I labelled him a choke artist.

I truly feel bad for this misjudgement now, because I lacked all of the information. I hadn't realised that McNabb was vomiting in the huddle, hardly able to stand, and yet, was still in there, trying desperately to mount a comeback. What I had once seen as weakness, I now know to be incredible bravery. The late game heroics that nobody knew about at the time. McNabb really deserves more credit for that, I think.

#4: Super Bowl XLIV
February 7, 2010
New Orleans Saints 31, Indianapolis Colts 17

Now the race is getting much tighter: the last few Super Bowls have all been really, really good, and the fact that 2010's game ranks fourth isn't as much a reflection on it, as it is a statement of how stiff the competition has been.

Many people hate the Indianapolis Colts, and many people love the New Orleans Saints. So clearly this year, I was among the vast majority who were hoping for the Saints to close out their Cinderella season, and claw to the top, not only to rectify the franchise's history of futility, but to give strength to a city that had suffered so much.

Early on, it was terrifying for me to watch. Marques Colston looked nothing like his usual self, making at least one completely inexcusable drop (can't remember if it was more than just the big glaring one that hit him right in the face), but the Saints were able to right the ship towards the end, and began really outclassing the Colts.

I was very confident when Peyton had to drive Indianapolis down the field to fight off a 24-17 deficit, but I couldn't have possibly foreseen the amazing 74-yard interception by Tracy Porter that iced it.

It's probably my favourite play in my brief Super Bowl-watching history. I believe I said it best with the text message I wrote to a friend of mine right after it had happened: "Yes yes yes yes fuck yes fuck yes"

#3: Super Bowl XLVI
February 5, 2012
New York Giants 21, New England Patriots 17

It hasn't quite set in yet, and my mind may change on some things, but right now, I'm pretty convinced that third is a good place for XLVI. This year's game absolutely flew by, because it had consistent completed passes (record-setting, for that matter) and a lack of penalties. One of the things I'll most take from this game, is that this was the most un-Patriot I have ever seen New England look. Tom Brady's first pass was a poorly judged deep ball to nobody that resulted in a safety, and shortly after, they negated a fumble recovery by having twelve men on the field. Usually, when there is a penalty for too many players on the field, it's because one guy couldn't get off quickly enough. But this time (twice, when it happened to New York as well), there were twelve men actually lined up. Ridiculous!

New England were schooled in the first half right up until the end, where they somehow claimed a 10-9 lead. They took that momentum incredibly into the third quarter, and it set up a fantastic fourth quarter. It was a combination of New York's gutsy play that won, as well as New England's sudden offensive futility that lost. The better team won today, and yes, Eli Manning (30/40, 296 yards and 1 TD) was definitely the right choice for MVP.

#2: Super Bowl XLV
February 6, 2011
Green Bay Packers 31, Pittsburgh Steelers 25

This was no doubt my most complete Super Bowl experience. I had all my boys around, my dad's health was (and still is) in peak condition, and we just had a ball. One of my mates is a Packers fan, and the other a Steelers fan, so there was a lot invested in both teams. Of course, I was a Packers fan that day.

It's a little bit cruel, but one thing I like is seeing teams I dislike make errors. Ben Roethlisberger had another lousy showing (25/40, 263 yards, 2 TDs and 2 Ints), and Rashard Mendenhall wasn't much better, losing a critical fumble at the worst time.

This year's Super Bowl was certainly a lot more tightly contested, so there's a chance it might creep up and claim the #2 spot with time, but for now, the sight of Aaron Rodgers and the Packers claiming a long-awaited fifth Super Bowl over the spoilt Pittsburgh Steelers is golden enough to keep it safely ahead.

#1: Super Bowl XLIII
February 1, 2009
Pittsburgh Steelers 27, Arizona Cardinals 23

Now this game was special. It's starting to fade from my memory a lot quicker than I expected (though in all fairness, I do watch a lot of football, so games tend to blur), so perhaps the highlights are just making it seem a lot better than it really was, but as it stands, it is in my mind the best Super Bowl I have seen.

Unless you follow a rival NFC west team, how could you possibly hate the Arizona Cardinals? One of the league's most lovable losers somehow, in some way, overcame all of the odds in the playoffs, beating teams that should have handled them with ease, and then coming so incredibly close to winning the Super Bowl. It's definitely second place for the one I most wish had ended with a different result. But unlike Colts vs. Bears, this one was at least a fantastic game to watch.

James Harrison's 100-yard interception return was the most exciting play I have ever seen in a Super Bowl, and I could have sworn that when the Cards scored their last touchdown, with 2:37 left, they had enough momentum to stop the Steelers, and win the upset. Of course, Santonio Holmes made a great endzone catch to claim victory, and I will never forget the look of horror in Larry Fitzgerald's face as he watched it all slip away, shaking his head in disbelief.

Good times, y'all. Let's try and make sure the Titans are present in at least one of the next ten, eh?!

Where is this blog going?

It's a curious thing; being the caretaker of a blog that nobody reads. Because whereas with other blogs, where your audience expects, and deserves, consistency and quality, here, I can basically blather on about any old thing.

Over on my other blog, INAKA, the focus is clear: toys. Getting rid of them, specifically. Here, the blog was more intended to be a journal of sorts, where I'd cover anything that took my fancy on a given day.

So, if you were to ask me what I intend on putting here in future, I would basically tell you, much of the same. I view this blog not so much a product of public consumption, but as more of a time capsule. Someday, maybe I or others would like to look back and see what I did one particular year, how I felt about a sport team or event at one time, and who I was. Like me, this blog ages, and I like having the knowledge that, should I choose to, I can reminisce.

In case you were pondering (what I'm pondering), Tony's top 20 video games ATM is suspended indefinitely. Not because I didn't like the concept, but because it's such an ever-shifting, ever-evolving topic. I know I addressed that, but all it takes is one playthrough of another game, old or new, to change my views. For example, Yoshi's Island wasn't in the top 20, but I revisited it recently, and really feel that it should be. If I were to recommence, it would be reformatted without ranking. Less pressure that way.

Expect more sport, whether you like it or not, because I intend to more actively follow my favourite teams. In case you were wondering (and I don't believe I ever made a definitive list), they are, in no particular order, the Tennessee Titans, Vancouver Canucks, Toronto Blue Jays, BC Lions, Toronto Raptors and the University of Hawai'i.

Plus, and sort of related, I'm undertaking a graduate diploma of commercial radio this year, so I may yet find a new medium to voice my many and often ignorant opinions. Maybe some stuff on that, but I rarely delve into the personal, so we'll see.

I'd like to maybe go more into my desire to see an NFL team in Toronto, and how it conflicts with my fandom for the CFL, and general admiration with the history and legacy of the Toronto Argonauts.

See, this is the thing. There's no commitment to anything, so I am unconcerned with what comes out. I think Atcho is my only reader, for that matter. Hello, Atcho!

Tony's Titans 2011/12 Edition

Well, another NFL season is in the books. I mean, officially speaking, it's still underway, with the playoffs about to unfold, but no matter what happens (short of realising some sort of seeding mistake), the Titans will not be present. And though there are some teams I'd much rather take home the Lombardi than others (the Saints or Lions, instead of the Ravens or Patriots, for example), I can't really say I have much of a vested interest in what happens from here on.

Until I get a situation like I've had the last two years, where I ecstatically revel in the Colts and Steelers getting put in their place. ...Which I'll probably have to hope happens again.

Anyhow, there's an off-season of roster shake-ups to be had, so I thought I'd see who appeased me enough in the 2011 season to have made the cut. There are seven new nominees from the year gone by, which is a pretty good number, but only a few will take their places in the echelons of Titandom!

Quarterback
#3 Matt Hasselbeck
2011-present

Titans Career
319-518 for 3,571 yards, 18 TDs, 14 Ints, 82.4 rating
20 rushes for 52 yards, 4 fumbles, 2.6 Avg

All-Time Career
2891-4797 for 33,150 yards, 194 TDs, 142 Ints, 82.2 rating
326 rushes for 1,191 yards, 8 TDs, 60 fumbles, 3.7 Avg

The very first name off the board already sees a shake-up. Whereas Kerry Collins made the cut for having one great Titans season, Matty Cool gets the Alge Crumpler treatment: I admired his work elsewhere, and I'm happy to see him in two-toned blue. It's not a fair decision, but it's not a fair world, baby cakes.

Hass' first season as a Titan was great at the start, and then tapered off to become fairly average once the team kind of fell into the 'okay' category, but he has still given us stability at the QB position that we have not seen since the departure of Steve McNair. He's a heady quarterback, a fiery leader, and can nail them right in there. Undoubtedly he would have had a better season had his top target, Kenny Britt, not bit the dust in week 3.

All these things and more should put him in the coveted two slot, because I currently fancy him a whole lot better than Vince Young, but I'm trying to do this fairly, and in my opinion, I liked VY better then than I like Hass now. Hopefully another season can shift this change, though the brief yet stellar appearances by Jake Locker have put Hass in the hot seat. Incidentally, yes, Jake has already also usurped K-Colls for the fourth spot. I'm a brutal man.

#2 Vince Young (2006-2010)
#1 Steve McNair (1995-2005)

Running Back
#3 Chris Brown (2003-2007)
#2 Chris Johnson (2008-present)
#1 Eddie George (1996-2003)

Fullback
#1 Ahmard Hall (2006-present)

Wide Receiver
#5 Nate Washington
2009-present

Titans Career
163 receptions for 2,279 yards, 19 TDs, 14.0 Avg
5 rushes for 12 yards, 1 TD, 2.4 Avg

All-Time Career
267 receptions for 3,984 yards, 31 TDs, 14.9 Avg
14 rushes for 38 yards, 1 TD, 0.4 Avg

Oh, hello Nate! It took you a little time, but you finally cracked the fab five. And it wasn't without hesitation on my end, either, because for two weeks after making this entry, Marc Mariani possessed the five slot. Yes, Marc Mariani with all of five career catches. Simply because he was a late-round pick who came out of nowhere, whereas Washington was signed to become a bonafide #1, and up until this last season, it didn't look like it was going to eventuate.

But the stats don't lie. This year, 74 catches, 1,023 yards and 7 TDs. That makes up for more than a quarter of his career catches, a quarter of his career yardage, and over 20% of his career touchdowns. A quarter of career production, out of a seven year career of quiet obscurity. Assuming my mathematics hold up, which they probably don't.

Also, he was a monster in the single game of Madden '12 I played this year, and that almost always assures inclusion in the depths of my heart.

#4 Tyrone Calico
2003-2005

All-Time Career
42 receptions for 501 yards, 4 TDs, 11.9 Avg

If last year's Randy Moss got you cock-eyed, surely this has you seeing red. My #4 receiver of the last ten years is a second round bust?

Yup. Don't blame me. Blame a decade's worth of crappy Titans receivers.

First off, let me get some things straight. One, yes, he was absolutely dynamite in Madden '05. He was an athletic freak, and a perfect complement in the slot to the duo of Mason/Bennett. Second, yes, he has a fantastic name. As aforementioned, I even named my Animal Crossing: Wild World town after him. And third, the reason he made the cut this year, despite not having played in Tennessee or anywhere else in the last six years, is because... well, shit. I just forgot about him in the last countdown. How else could you explain the inclusion of Roydell Williams?

Tyrone Calico had the athletic potential to be one of the game's premiere receivers, and I'm not exaggerating. Unfortunately, one fateful horse-collar tackle from Roy Williams blew out both of his knees, and he was brought down to earth. Now, his physical prowess was limited, and his poor catching ability became glaringly obvious.

It sucks, man. Calico could have been #1, had he not been robbed of his career by a now-illegal technique. At least he'll always have the JFL championship of 2005 to his credit.

#3 Kenny Britt (2009-present)
#2 Drew Bennett (2001-2006)
#1 Derrick Mason (1997-2004)

Tight End
#2 Alge Crumpler (2008-2009)
#1 Erron Kinney (2000-2006)

Tackle
#4 Daniel Loper (2005-2008)
#3 David Stewart (2005-present)
#2 Michael Roos (2005-present)
#1 Brad Hopkins (1993-2005)

Guard
#4 Eugene Amano (2004-present)
#3 Jacob Bell (2004-2007)
#2 Jake Scott (2008-present)
#1 Benji Olson (1998-2007)

Center
#2 Kevin Matthews (2010-present)
#1 Kevin Mawae (2006-2009)

Defensive End
#4 Jason Babin (2010)

#3 Travis LaBoy (2004-2007) ~ Despite remaining a non-factor in Titans lore, LaBoy is shifted up a spot due to Babin jumping ship after only one year. UH alum vs. Jim Washburn chaser: choice is obvious.

#2 Kyle Vanden Bosch (2005-2009)
#1 Jevon Kearse (1999-2003, 2008-2009)

Defensive Tackle
#3 Randy Starks (2004-2007)
#2 Tony Brown (2006-2010)
#1 Albert Haynesworth (2002-2008)

Outside Linebacker
#4 Will Witherspoon (2010-present)
#3 Peter Sirmon (2000-2006)
#2 David Thornton (2006-2010)
#1 Keith Bulluck (2000-2009)

Middle Linebacker
#2 Colin McCarthy
2011-present

All-Time Career
68 combined tackles, 2 forced fumbles, 3 deflections, 1 interception (0 yards)

Well done, rookie. You went from fourth round pick to starting middle linebacker and #2 Tony Titan in just one season. Looks good so far!

Other than a poor game to end the year (when your body of work is only 13 games, you'd best believe I'll note when one of them is bad), McCarthy came in place of the injured and floundering Barrett Ruud, and was able to command the huddle like a mike backer should. Add to that the fact that he could actually make tackles, plugging holes and stuffing runners who came his way, and you have a recipe for success.

Unfortunately, I would have loved for flashy rookie Akeem Ayers to have been included in the more competitive outside linebacker department, but he really didn't amaze in year one. I mean, he wasn't bad, but he didn't particularly stand out, getting overshadowed by the other defensive rookies: McCarthy, Karl Klug and Jurrell Casey. In time, he should dazzle, but for now, he's behind the Spoon.

#1 Stephen Tulloch (2006-2010)

Cornerback
#5 Chris Carr (2008)
#4 Alterraun Verner (2010-present)
#3 Andre Dyson (2001-2004)
#2 Cortland Finnegan (2006-present)
#1 Samari Rolle (1998-2004)

Free Safety
#2 Lamont Thompson (2003-2006)
#1 Michael Griffin (2007-present)

Strong Safety
#2 Myron Rolle (2010-2011)
#1 Chris Hope (2006-present)

Kicker
#1 Rob Bironas (2005-present)

Punter
#1 Craig Hentrich (1998-2009)

And there you have it. Not as much of a shift as I expected, but with a lot of promising rookies lying on the horizon, you should expect a pretty big shake-up next year. And hopefully, more importantly, a playoff berth to match it!

Owen' it to Himself

Hard to believe Terrell Owens is on the verge of signing with an indoor league for a team I've never even heard of.

This man was a record setter, and I don't know how productive he'd be today, but he's still a physical specimen. You'd think somebody would take a shot at him?

I reckon he should head north and hone his craft in the CFL, personally. Big, physical receiver like him would thrive in that wide open system. Like a bigger, more athletic Andy Fantuz.

Besides, wouldn't it be fun to say that T.O. is going to T.O.? Argos could use the star power (though they'd never admit it) to make up for lacking performance, and they took a shot at Ricky Williams not too long ago. I know that Owens is much-maligned in the locker room, but survived several years in Dallas without incident.

Come on, T.O. What you scared of? The cold?