From the Editor: The team continues to grow here at GP and with Dusty Overby joining the ranks - we are now 8 strong. Dusty’s already brought a few posts to the table and you’ll continue to see his near-infamous verbal rants & raves on Gear Patrol as he tries to bring you the best in gaming, household goodies and other gear. Based in Knoxville, TN (my home town) we’re undoubtedly looking forward to him bringing it strong, Southern style.

Gents… my name is Dusty. To date, I have been resident amongst the masses of Gear Patrol devotees. Now, I have received a different calling. My charge is to shrug off the casual and carefree life of one who solely reads; I am to eschew the selfish pleasures man-info consumption, and to, instead, contribute mighty works of journalistic prowess suitable for the enlightenment of the Gear Patrol audience.

I’m sure that we would all agree that Gear Patrol shines as a bright beacon in the world of Men’s Lifestyle and Leisure. With numerous other sites and magazines vying for your attention, you read Gear Patrol because it cuts through the worthless flotsam and jetsam the other sites and blogs rehash day in and day out, bringing you a unique perspective on the latest gizmos and whatnots that matter to you. Well, it just so happens that I majored in gizmos and minored in whatnots.

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There are two types of men: Those who get this trophy, and gymnasts.

Pigskin prognosticators rejoice! As the commencement of the NFL season draws nigh, so does the start of the Fantasy Football season. I am proud to count myself among the 40 million plus Americans whose utter dedication to 17 weeks of gridiron speculation result in a near 19 billion dollar fourth quarter loss in corporate productivity. Clearly the stakes are high, thus the rewards should be equally lucrative. Allow me to present The Ultimate Fantasy Football Trophy, which is nothing if not aptly named.

Though the rules of each league vary, you and your fellow owners likely play for some combination of pride, cash, and a tangible symbol of your skill and dominance. The Ultimate Trophy from Titlecraft represents the most handsome, enviable vision of that symbol. Handcrafting each masterpiece right here in the good ol’ US of A, Titlecraft offers a wide range of styles and prices. You’ll have the option of choosing a proven design or customizing your own unique league award with up to nineteen different options.

Gear Patrol asked Ed Reichow, Titlecraft’s trophy master, to give his take on the majesty of his craftsmanship. Here’s what Ed has to say:

“This isn’t for lesser men… we wanted to create a prize that justifies the effort that the serious fantasy player puts in.”

Truer words have never been spoken.

What this means to you: Want to take your league to the next level? Look no further than the Ultimate Fantasy Football Trophy. Take it from us at GP, there’s simply nothing else out there that compares.

Cost: $299 to $799 @ Titlecraft

His knee looks fine to us.

Nope, it’s not CBS Sports - you’re looking at Tiger Woods 09.

For ten years running, EA Sports’ venerable Tiger Woods Golf series has steadily improved the virtual golf experience for the teeming hordes of digital duffers. This year’s game is certainly no exception. Rendered in the same high-def glory as your favorite fourth round telecast, Tiger Woods 09 offers you access to some of golf’s most hallowed grounds all for the cost of a dozen Pro V1s. Considering the fact that you’d be lucky to escape with any of those pricey orbs intact following a round at any of the game’s courses, Tiger Woods 09 might sit atop the standings in the golf-value department.

Annual Tiger devotees will be pleased with the addition of several new features to this iteration; club tuning allows you to adjust face bias and perimeter weighting like you are tweaking Indy car gear ratios. EA’s player creator is still second to none, allowing you to craft your own custom golfer (think you, with bigger muscles). Dynamic skill adjustment promises to keep the game challenging for veterans and neophytes alike. Even Tiger’s own swing coach, Hank Haney, cameos to orchestrate your range routine. Wii owners should stretch before swinging as they’ll be tested with 1:1 motion control over their digital doppelgangers.

What this means to you: Tiger Woods 09 is the most immersive golf experience to date for home console players. If you’d like to get your feet wet without paying a dime, download the free demo available on both Xbox Live and Playstation Network.

Cost: PS3 ($59) | Xbox 360 ($59) | Wii ($49)

Also See: Free Course Wallpapers on EA Sports

Shit Happens. Just Be Prepared.

Further evidence, everything can be civilized if you look hard enough…

Let’s be honest for a moment. When you leash together your fate with that of your four-legged friend and head out of doors into the certain chaos that waits, you realize that, in fact, your dog is walking you. As pet owners, we know that, in spite of our most obedient hopes for them, our canine companions are going to do what they want to do, where they want to do it. Worse yet, they seem to know the score. Fear not men, Gear Patrol wants to give you back the evolutionary advantage.

Enter dog poo bags. Simple, yet effective, they are a stylish take on the classic doggy bag (the non-restaurant variety). By combining hands-free efficiency with a variety of pithy slogans, these brightly-colored, biodegradable bits of German engineered fancy represent the übertool for tackling the discerning dog owner’s dirty jobs. Mike Rowe would be proud. Better yet, you can order them directly from the designers via their website, which boast one of the greatest domain names ever conceived. Visit Poo Poo Bags to realign your sense of duty (?) with your pooch’s proclivities.

Cost: $20 @ Poo Poo Bags

One Step Closer To Actually Being Roger Goodell

The holy grail of virtual gridirons

Believe it or not, that most magical of annual gaming occurrences is upon us once again. Yes, prepare to burn one of your cherished sick days, as the yearly celebration of Maddenoliday is less than a week away. Never mind that Madden NFL 09’s cover boy happens to be wearing the wrong shade of green, this year’s anniversary edition promises to be the most accurate and complete football simulation that you’ve every laid your sweaty mitts on.
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