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 ...
Watching the accompanying video made me mad to begin with because the friggin reporters were making excuses for these overpaid useless jokes of the grid iron. I am registered as chicovike with the Star Tribune, and below is the comment I left about this story. I formatted my comment here, I did for the paper also but when it was posted it wasn't formatted.
I am getting real tired of a bunch of multimillionaire pansy's, constantly complaining about having to play a game they chose to play. When I am told by my boss that I need to do something that is well withing the parameters of my job description, I do it without complaining.
Millions of Americans wish they had any job to go to, and you guys want to bitch about a little cold you have to deal with for less then 3 hours. What about the fans who pay your salary? I don't hear them complaining about the cold, but all I hear anymore is you lazy multimillionaires complaining about everything. Think about the men who laid everything on the line for pennys compared to you as they built this league. Now you guys get to live the life of kings while complaining about a sore toe. Tell that to the original Purple People eaters who played in short sleeve shirts without bench warmers.
I'll tell you what you pampered pansys need to do. When your sitting inside the warm locker room and hearing the fans over the loud speakers cheering the old men who played the game the way it was invented to play, I would advise you wimps to take off your helmets and bow your head in shame. You have not proved to this old Viking fan that you men deserve to be called Vikings yet, let alone be associated with the men I watched play when I was younger.
You guys are just a bunch of wanna-be Vikings. Any Viking player that is afraid to play the game outside in the snow on frozen dirt, makes me sick and ashamed to be a Viking fan! Stop your sniveling and keep your disappointment to your self like a real man would. Then, when the game is over, win or lose, I expect you guys to cheer the fans who have paid with their hearts as they watched and waited for over a quarter of a century to see their team play a game outside at home again.
I guess they didn’t like my comment because it is not posted anymore. Interesting, it seems they dislike the truth. Not that I am surprised though.
This is just another example of why I haven’t watched NFL football for years.
Guys used to play with broken arms. Now, they fret about a frozen field. It’s a disgrace.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUk16I4Vg5w
Here’s a good video (or part of one) recalling the 1969 season and playing in the snow. (Bud Grant, no heaters, shoveling snow off the hash marks, etc.)
I re-posted my comment, It’ll be interesting to see how long it takes for them to remove it sand probably ban me for re-posting it.
I remember the days well.
What a bunch of pussies.
Bud Grant cannot be pleased. He didn’t even allow heat blowers on the sidelines.
I am amending my tag-line to reflect my shame. It will fit well with the flag in my yard that still fly’s at half mast.
That was one heck of a good rant that I completely agree.
My first thought was, “ suck it up boys, you’re football players and the greats before you played on frozen fields in the winter. Deal with it.”
It really doesn’t matter if they play anymore this year. I’m OK if they want to play in the plastic balls at Chucky Cheese. No need to film it. Call the Lions and keep them warm too.
The Patriots,Bears and Packers play in those conditions all the time.What’s the problem?
Zygi Wilf?????????
These wimps! Did the Viking ships have air conditioning? MAN UP Shiancoe!
Sounds like SUPER BOWL weather to me! Cut out the Miami and San Diego nonsense and let’s play a REAL football championship!;)
Thanks, it felt good to get it out. They still have my second one posted, they removed my first comment, but after re-posting it it’s still there.
Roger that!
Remember when defense was more important than show boat dances in the end zone and down field blocking got more cheers than dread lock hair covering the shoulder pads?
Sorry guys,I forgot the Bills also who play in very cold weather.
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