Fix the Darn Field Snyder

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Originally Posted by robinsmw

People still have grass on their lawns right now because they didn't have 300 pound lineman running around tearing it up. Seriously, if someone's yard was damaged in November or December, no grass is going to grow until March/April. The field the other day was cumulative affects of playing on it all season and when they tear up the field, the grounds crew can't do anything. They can't put seed down because it won't germinate in the winter. They can't sod b/c the roots won't take. People still have lawns right now because grass grows in the spring/summer/fall, not the winter. It's dormant and not growing. That's why no one mows their lawn in the winter. Not to mention the fact that most lawns in this area are a mixture of tall fescue and kentucky bluegrass and not the bermuda grass at FedEx, which thrives in warmer climates.

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Okay, my mistake of blaming the field maintenance guys. I apologize. I just want the team to keep a grass field. The Skins seem fine playing on it and other teams seem to have trouble a bit, so a legit home field advantage is good. I don't care about it looking pretty. Let other teams get their artificial fields and have issues trying to catch Griffin and Morris as they run by them at FedEx.

I'm not opposed to keeping natural grass. If we do, it better look like the field during the national championship game last night. That field was beautiful. But if Snyder refuses to maintain it to keep it looking like that, then I say field turf all the way. Anything is better than that crap that's out there now

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Originally Posted by Timmy Smith

I'm sure if he really wanted to, he could have installed fresh sod after the Kenny Chesney concert to put the field back in normal condition. Hopefully the NFLPA's call for closer oversight will change things for the better. Field turf, new sod, ANYTHING would be better than that ice rink that they had for the wildcard game.

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I agree, if they didn't install new sod after Kenny Chesney, they probably should have. They did after the U2 concert in 2009, which was after 2 games into the reg season.

I don't think Field turf is the answer, check out my previous posts pointing to research indicating it increases injuries. My opinion is that the sub-par field conditions are a result of a full season of playing on it, combined with 3 games with wet conditions (Colts, Falcons, Ravens). Putting new sod down in December in DC is not a great idea.

---------- Post added January-9th-2013 at 01:04 AM ----------

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Originally Posted by ejay183

Okay, my mistake of blaming the field maintenance guys. I apologize. I just want the team to keep a grass field. The Skins seem fine playing on it and other teams seem to have trouble a bit, so a legit home field advantage is good. I don't care about it looking pretty. Let other teams get their artificial fields and have issues trying to catch Griffin and Morris as they run by them at FedEx.

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Yea, I think we're on the same page. My attempt is to try and have a discussion with people and not have people blame the maintenance guys or call for Field Turf. Field Turf is not the answer (I know you're not saying that, but many others are). I would prefer grass as well, but would be open to a hybrid system like PHI, GB and DEN uses if it would reduce injuries. I don't care how it looks, I'm concerned about safety. I'm not convinced that natural grass causes injuries more injuries than artificial surfaces and there is research to support that.

---------- Post added January-9th-2013 at 01:06 AM ----------

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Originally Posted by smurfs86

I'm not opposed to keeping natural grass. If we do, it better look like the field during the national championship game last night. That field was beautiful. But if Snyder refuses to maintain it to keep it looking like that, then I say field turf all the way. Anything is better than that crap that's out there now

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The game last night was played in Miami. You can't have a grass field in DC in January after playing all season on it, especially some games in wet conditions look like a grass field in Miami. I don't know of any amount of maintenance you could do to make it look like that. I remember a few years ago, they played the Rose Bowl and a week later they played the National Championship game at the Rose Bowl. They replaced the sod between the 2 games. You can do that in Southern CA in January, I don't think it's possible to do that in DC in January.

---------- Post added January-9th-2013 at 01:09 AM ----------

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Originally Posted by Reaper 21

My high school has artificial turf, my high school, it's the way of new football, football used to be played with leather helmets should we go back.

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High Schools use Field Turf because it allows for greater utilization of the field. They can play and practice on it and it doesn't get worn down. Especially in the spring when you have boys/girls lacrosse and boys/girls soccer all playing on the same field. Field Turf is more expensive for high schools compared to natural grass b/c high schools don't normally have the expense of grounds crews to maintain a grass surface. In the pros and college, it's the opposite as usually grass costs much more over the long run due to maintenance expenses.

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Originally Posted by robinsmw

Really? What would you like them to do different? Please tell us how you can grow grass in Dec/Jan in DC.

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Maybe they could try something like this:

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/...45_634x423.jpg

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/foo...ter-break.html

Edit: Dortmund's average high temperature: Dec 41°F, Jan 39°, Feb 41°,
D.C.: Dec 47°F, Jan 43°, Feb 47.2°

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Originally Posted by OSUfan45

Maybe they could try something like this:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/foo...ter-break.html

Edit: Dortmund's average high temperature: Dec 41°F, Jan 39°, Feb 41°,
D.C.: Dec 47°F, Jan 43°, Feb 47.2°

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Now that is a GREAT suggestion. That's really something that could be possible. I looked up the climate data as well. It looks like they are probably colder than DC.

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Originally Posted by robinsmw

I agree with the 1st part of your post. I have also played on Field Turf, although it was baseball and not football and not that much to be honest.

You make an interesting point about the Bermuda not taking root. I'm pretty sure they re-sod every year and I think I remember them re-sodding mid season a few years ago.

I too played football in NOVA and we only practiced on our field once a week, Thursday, but it was more of a walk through than a real practice. Maybe the condition of the field by you has to do w/ the deep roots. Who knows. Most high school football seasons end in early Nov and they normally play 5 home games and a scrimmage. Unless they get into the playoffs. I only know of 1 team in Fairfax County that made it to December, Oakton, and they lost 12/1 so I'm not sure who you saw practicing until mid-Dec. Westfields last game was 11/23 and Chantilly and C'ville was 11/16. FedEx had 11 home games (1 post, 8 reg, 2 preseason). I guess my point is that NFL games put a lot of traffic on the field, pushing 300lb bodies around and also that a lot of that came after the growing season w/ 1 game Mid-Nov, 3 in Dec and 1 in January.
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Briar Woods in Ashburn, the state championship was 12/8. Since it is dark at 5pm that time of year they practicing under the lights in the stadium.

I may have missed it when searching, but what is going on with the communication system as well? The last two home games RG3 had issues with his helmet not working. Has anything been mentioned about that?

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Originally Posted by Chanhillbilly

Briar Woods in Ashburn, the state championship was 12/8. Since it is dark at 5pm that time of year they practicing under the lights in the stadium.

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Makes sense. I wrongly assumed you were talking about a FFX county school b/c of your profile. I know that Chantilly is also in LoCo. Makes sense about needing to use the lights. We used to get out of school at 2:05 or 2:20 and practice at 3. I know LoCo starts later. Also, they knew they weren't going to play on the field again, b/c the championship game was at a neutral site. Not sure I'd call 12/7, mid-December, but I do see your point.

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Originally Posted by Reaper 21

My high school has artificial turf, my high school, it's the way of new football, football used to be played with leather helmets should we go back.

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High schools and colleges went to the fieldturf for one reason. Cost. It may cost to initially put it in, but the upkeep is minimal. Pretty much all they do is add the pellets to fill in. No water, no sunlight, no cutting needed and it lasts for probaby 20 years.

I thank the person for putting a Borussia Dortmund stadium photo up lol. True, they really take care of that field because a club as successful and prestigious as Dortmund would be torn up by the media if it's field was bad.

Did anyone see this video of the field before the game? It's embarrassing.

http://www.sportsradiokjr.com/cc-com...ticle=10679990

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Originally Posted by JeffSchmeff

Did anyone see this video of the field before the game? It's embarrassing.

http://www.sportsradiokjr.com/cc-com...ticle=10679990

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yuck. Notice how he was able to kick the grass out with a few simple stomps. Can't imagine trying to make a cut on that crap going full speed.

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Originally Posted by youngchew

yuck. Notice how he was able to kick the grass out with a few simple stomps. Can't imagine trying to make a cut on that crap going full speed.

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They were saying it was basically painted dirt and sand, not even grass.

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Originally Posted by JeffSchmeff

They were saying it was basically painted dirt and sand, not even grass.

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Jesus :doh:

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Originally Posted by JeffSchmeff

They were saying it was basically painted dirt and sand, not even grass.

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That is a total embarrassment. It's one thing if the grass is coming up... it's another if there's just NO GRASS!! What an indictment of the grounds crew.

---------- Post added January-9th-2013 at 02:50 PM ----------

I don't think there is any question that we have the worst field in the NFL at this point. Regardless of any nuance brought to light, the terrible conditions and number of injuries on our turf in the last year alone is terrible press for Snyder. If he doesn't change the technology he doesn't care about the health of the players on the field... period.