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 ...
I agree with you. Back in the day(when I was young)they played all football games out doors and in any weather. The wimps they have playing ball today are really a bunch of over paid pussies.
I watched the Division 2 Semifinals Saturday night played at night in Duluth. University of Minnesota Duluth beat Northwest Missouri in 2 degree temp with about a 30 mile wind. They did it because they love the game and these guys are worried. although they make a ton of money tired of their compaining.
New York hosts the Super Bowl in 2014.
It’s outdoors.
cincinatti,pittsburgh and cleveland also
Ice Bowl :) Great pic and post.
“Is it any wonder that over 60% of NFL players supported Obama?”
Probably has more to do with the black NFL players voting for Obama. Wonder what the percentages are in the NFL as for black players, white players? I would guess at least 60% are black.
Great rant. ...and photo.
Notice Merlin Olsen (RIP) #74 of the Rams.
Good point, but I know for a fact that a lot of white players are also very liberal.
They deleted my comment again. It had 5 of 5 people that agreed with it also. I guess they really dislike the truth.
Granted, the Star-Tribute only quotes three Vikings in this article (including the wimpy kicker who partipates in about eight plays and spends the rest of the game on a heated seat), I can’t help but think this lot of Vikings are so much softer than the old Bud Grant teams. When the Vikings played home games outdoors, they went to four Super Bowls. Since they moved to the Metrodome, they’ve been to none.
Freezing conditions, in winter. Where is Algore. I need to ask him some questions.
Yes I did. He was one of my all time favorite players.
I re-posted my comment for a third time there. I bet they delete it again.
Effing pussies. Take that as a broad brush against the entire NFL, not just the Vikings.
I'm beginning to hope there is a strike next year.
“Guys used to play with broken arms.”
That’s why it will be a shame to see Brett Favre go. He was one of the last to have that attitude.
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