Posted on 12/15/2010 10:25:44 PM PST by OneVike
Faced with the prospect of playing on a frozen field Monday night at TCF Bank Stadium and so far not given a voice in the decision, Vikings players shared some of their concerns on Wednesday.
"I just hope it's a safe environment to play in," tight end Visanthe Shiancoe said. "That it's not going to be hazardous to the players when it comes to field conditions."
Vikings owner Zygi Wilf expressed optimism that the game against the Chicago Bears can be held on the University of Minnesota campus, but nothing has been made official and there clearly are obstacles and concerns that have to be overcome.
Among them is the fact that the FieldTurf at TCF Bank Stadium is not equipped with heating coils in the sod, as cold-weather venues such as Soldier Field in Chicago or Lambeau Field in Green Bay are. That means that even with the plan to remove all the ice from the field before Monday, there almost certainly will be areas that freeze again once the game begins.
The National Weather Service calls for a high of 17 on Monday with a slight chance of snow and then a low around 5 degrees at night. Another forecast calls for the low to be zero.
"Is that really a home-field advantage for us? That's the question," Shiancoe said. "But at the same time, we have to go out there and play, and we'll play hard."
Linebacker Ben Leber, one of the Vikings' assistant player representatives, said he has not been asked about the choice of venue.
"They haven't consulted us, and to my understanding they haven't consulted anybody," Leber said. "I talked to a few guys, and nobody has been asked what our opinion is.
(Excerpt) Read more at startribune.com ...
Why don’t these coddled millionaires play their game using Madden 2011 from the comfort of their mansions while wearing their Snugies?
They don’t want to get frostbite on their vaginas.
They might be called Vikings, but they’re a far cry from being Purple People Eaters. The 69 Vikings were the best ever!
That, right there, is why this viewer since the mid-1960s has recently given up on football.
I didn’t leave football; football left me.
My thoughts exactly. Just read a clip about the NE Patriots practicing outside on a field that is adjacent to a nice, cozy, expensive “practice bubble”. One of the players was asked about it. He just shrugged and said, “We’re playing outside on Sunday, so we’ll practice outside this week.” End o’ story.
Nice rant, Vike - hey you’re up in St. John’s country, right?
I bet they’re playing real football.
I’d drive a snow plow to get to see them!
I think “Gags” is still coaching...
http://www.gojohnnies.com/staff.aspx?staff=9&path=football
The best football book I’ve ever read: “The Sweet Season”
Check it out FRiend!
I remember playing a hockey tournament outside one year when the temp was 30 below. That was brutal, but we did it. I scored a goal from behind the blue line on our end of the rink (only goal scored by our team that game).
I wanna see players in cloaks huddled around wood fires set in 55 gal. drums on the sidelines!
(Yeah...I live in the past)
Absolutely right. The influence of feminism in society has de-masculinized our culture.
And, yes, Sarah Palin seems like the person who is the best hope to begin to reverse the trend, and remind men that they ought to be men.
Lambeau Field in Green Bay is HOW COLD????
The N E Patriots play their home games where?????
What a bunch of sissies.
Same crybabies who complain that ‘Bret Favre throws the ball too hard” when they cannot catch what he throws!!!
For the money they make, perhaps all rookies should spend their first season on the boats of “Deadliest Catch”.
Guys used to play with broken arms. Now, they fret about a frozen field. Its a disgrace.”
How many broken bones did Jim Otto get in the NFL???
The Met was referred to as the “23rd Viking.” It’s no coincidence that they haven’t been back to a Super Bowl since they moved into the Dome.
I knew I remember there was an “ICE BOWL- wsn’t it played at Lambeau in Green Bay?
But they had no answer for the "65 Toss Power Trap."
http://www.profootballresearchers.org/Coffin_Corner/06-12-203.pdf
Chuck Noll never allowed them either.
“Is it any wonder that the boldest person in American politics is a woman from Alaska? “
Well said except Chris Christie is a man.
Gotta disagree somewhat. These players are making big $$, and most NFL contracts are NOT guaranteed...so, they’re right to be concerned. Look as one who thinks the Ice Bowl between Packers and Cowboys may be one of the greatest games ever playeed..it’s a diffeent era today. Average shelf-life of an NFL player is what, 3-4 years, and for99/9% fo them, no way they can ever make that kind of $$ again the rest of their lives. So, it’s prudent to assess the risk.
It's week 15, why start playing hard now?
I don’t watch NFL football anymore because of this type of incident.
I am more of a rugby kind of guy. No pansies need apply.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.