Should Fedex Field upgrade and get Synthetic Turf

[RedskinsInFebruary]

It's funny to me people don't "get" the grass stains, mud etc. It adds another dimension to the game, to the personalities of teams, weather, climate, etc. "Frozen tundra," etc.

When the Minnesota Vikings got a dome, they lost a lot of their personality and became more sterile and boring to me. I remember when they had to go to L.A. to play a playoff game with the Rams and it was supposed to be a huge advantage for the Rams that year; but it rained torrentially that day in L.A., and within minutes you couldn't tell which team was which or where the yard lines were. And...it was awesome!

If that game had been in a turfed dome, I probably wouldn't even remember it.

I'm not a big fan of injecting another dimension of boring expectation and similarity into the game. Let the elements matter.

[skins_win]

I say we get a new field and build a new stadium around it.

Hail.

[HogNose]

Some of the biggest soccer clubs on the planet have switched over to this system, as well as the Broncos, Eagles and Packers FWIW:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desso_GrassMaster

Hail.

If they switch to something like this then I'm all for it.

Btw, can someone tell me what that dust is that gets kicked up on the field turf? Is it sand or something?

[worstSeat]

That's the thing man.

Artificial turf technology and research is now producing a product that far removed from the rock hard version of the 80's it's unrecognizable. It's now about as close to natural grass as it's possible to get.

Maybe the stuff at NFL fields is a lot better than the fields at Arlington and local high schools, but I'm not sure if it's that different. And if it isn't, it's crap. It's like a thin layer of rubber on top of concrete. Might as well have them play on that tartan (?) floor they used to have in Reynolds Coliseum.

"If a horse can't eat it, I don't want to play on it."

Wise words.

And, guys, turf ain't football.

---------- Post added September-29th-2012 at 10:03 AM ----------

Btw, can someone tell me what that dust is that gets kicked up on the field turf? Is it sand or something?

In the fields I've played on, it's granulated rubber -- essentially shredded tires, sometimes mixed with conventional sand.

[DCranon21]

I would not mind the other turf over the natural turf. Like today, Tech plays Cincy at Fed Ex, and luckily the game is away tomorrow. Blown ACL's happen on any given Sunday. Just be glad they don't have to play on Astroturf anymore.

[skins_win]

jeez, watching the VA Tech game on TV.

Field looks like utter crap and half sand

[skins island connection]

When I watch a dvd of a Redskins game in good ol' RFK, I can't help but drool when I see that vivid green grass...or, um, should I say painted dirt! But at least it started out as grass in september.
Kinda get that line from Hostory of the World stuck in my head; "everything's so GREEN...

SIC

[rictus58]

The ownership needs to do something about this field. It's a mess. It's a mess after ONE game is played on it, let alone a full season plus some misc. NCAA games. They either need to be more diligent about replacing the sod on a regular basis, or putting in Fieldturf. When they are running, it looks like they're playing beach volleyball.

[renaissance]

Some of the biggest soccer clubs on the planet have switched over to this system, as well as the Broncos, Eagles and Packers FWIW:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desso_GrassMaster

Hail.

I could go for this, mostly because I was going to say that we shouldn't switch to turf bc then FedEx couldn't host soccer games.

[rictus58]

I could go for this, mostly because I was going to say that we shouldn't switch to turf bc then FedEx couldn't host soccer games.

They could do what M&T bank stadium for the Liverpool/Hot Spurs game this summer and lay sod overtop. That worked fine.

[Momma There Goes That Man]

On the FG attempts last night you could really see how bad the field looked. It looked like a grenade had just gone off in front of the kicker because there was debris all around them. It was sad..

[Busch1724]

That's the beauty of grass, it isn't perfect. It helps players' careers last longer.

[renaissance]

They could do what M&T bank stadium for the Liverpool/Hot Spurs game this summer and lay sod overtop. That worked fine.

I didn't watch that game, but I saw what it looked like when they did that in Seattle and it definitely wasn't fine.

Regardless, the surface needs to be addressed at FedEx. It was atrocious last night.

[rictus58]

I didn't watch that game, but I saw what it looked like when they did that in Seattle and it definitely wasn't fine.

Regardless, the surface needs to be addressed at FedEx. It was atrocious last night.

I can't speak to the seattle game. but maybe the weather played a role? I don't know. The M&T game was a bright sunny day in july.
It wasn't just atrocious last night. It's always bad after the first game of the season @ FedEx Field. It's been that way for years. If they are intent on keep grass, they must find a way to keep it nicer.

[Buford]

That's the beauty of grass, it isn't perfect. It helps players' careers last longer.

the new stuff does the same.

I agree. FedEx needs Field Turf if they can't keep it in good shape. You'd think it would be a no-brainer because Snyder could try hosting more college football games, and soccer games without worrying about grass issues.