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Zero2Cool
13 years ago
http://www.espnmilwaukee.com/includes/news_items/40/news_items_more.php?id=5338§ion_id=40 

GREEN BAY While his teammates were considerably more kind in their assessments of Soldier Fields turf, Greg Jennings did not mince words, calling the playing surface probably the worst in the league.

You have to go out before the game, pregame, and kind of get a feel of what you're working with, what you're dealing with, get your footing, because that's going to play a huge, huge role in the game, the Green Bay Packers wide receiver said Monday, as the Packers (12-6) prepared for Sundays NFC Championship Game against the Chicago Bears (12-5) at Soldier Field. But you can't allow that to affect the way you play. The grass, the surface, how hard it is, how soft it is, what have you, it plays only so much into the game if you allow it to.

It certainly factored into the Bears 35-24 victory Sunday over the Seattle Seahawks, who saw tight end John Carlson suffer a concussion when he hit his head on the hard turf on the sideline. Meanwhile, players had a multitude of problems slipping and sliding on the field throughout the game, even after the mid-game snow shower abated.

Jennings isnt the only one who feels that way, although the other three Packers players to take the podium Monday linebacker A.J. Hawk, cornerback Tramon Williams and center Scott Wells werent nearly as outspoken.

The field, you never know what you're going to get, Hawk said. The weather will obviously have a little bit of an impact on it. But it's something we've been there a number of times, I think most of the guys on this team, that we'll figure out that both teams are playing on the same field. It's not like anyone is going to have an advantage.

Added Williams: Chicagos field has always been like that. So it's nothing different. It's something that we're prepared for. And you just (have to) have the right cleats or whatever. It shouldn't really be a problem.

Those assessments were considerably kinder than those offered by the Bears.

"The footing at Soldier Field has been horrible," Pro Bowl linebacker Brian Urlacher said in early December. "We've all seen that. You watch us on film. Our D-line slipped. It's hard. We're a fast team. I think when you get us on a (Soldier Field) surface like that, it kind of takes a little bit of our speed. Health-wise, I think we're OK. We're playing fast from that aspect. It's just that the field has been so bad that we haven't been able to do what we normally do.

"(Opposing teams) are playing on the same thing we're playing on, so it goes both ways. But, we're not able to use our speed like we like to. Our corners are slipping when they are coming out of breaks. Our D-linemen are slipping (while) pushing off the ground. But (opposing teams) are doing the same thing. I guess it goes both ways."

After Sundays win over the Seahawks, Urlacher said, Both teams have to play on it. It stinks for both teams. I think its the same way in Pittsburgh, that field is not that great either. Both teams have to play on it. Our receivers have to deal with it, our DBs, just like they do. It goes both ways. It wasnt bad today.

According to a league spokesman, the NFL will review field conditions throughout the week. The league will be in control of the field conditions, but will work closely with the stadium field manager because he knows the field the best. If the NFL determines that action needs to be taken such as re-sodding the field it will take those steps. The league will make the final decision on what needs to be done to make the field as playable as possible.

They change (the sod) out a lot, Bears quarterback Jay Cutler said. Any time youre going to change out the field in freezing temperatures, Im not sure its going to really take hold. Its going to be thick, and its going to come up a little bit and its going to be soft in spots.

In 2008, the last time the NFL Players Association conducted its Playing Surfaces Opinion Survey, Soldier Field was rated the fourth-worst grass playing field in the NFL, ahead of only Pittsburgh, Oakland and Miami. According to the Chicago Tribune, it was Bears players who rated it as the worst in the league,

In response to Bears players criticism of the surface, Soldier Field general manager Tim LeFevour held a press conference last month in which he said the field, which is one of only six natural grass fields in the NFL in a northern climate, is one of the best in the league. LeFevour said the playing surface was re-sodded the first week in December. The Park District pays for the re-sodding, spending $400,000 to $500,000 annually for the new turf.

"It's unfortunate," LeFevour said. "You hate to hear comments like (the players) because there's a strong commitment by the city, the Chicago Park District, the management here at Soldier Field to keep this as one of the best fields in the NFL.

Packers coach Mike McCarthy, speaking later in the afternoon Monday, did his best to make the field conditions a non-story but acknowledged that he was aware of players complaints.

We're not going to concern ourselves with the turf. It's something you go with every week, every game you play in particularly on the road. You go out (onto the field) early. You make sure you've got the right, proper shoes on, said McCarthy, whose team will practice outside on Thursday for 11-on-11 periods and work with the doors to the Don Hutson Center open all week.

Just going off what I read in the papers, I know some of the Bears players commented on the field condition a few weeks back, reading that in the clips. I know Seattle felt it wasn't in great shape either. (but) both teams play on it. I really don't think it's a big deal, frankly. I'm sure they'll get it in the best shape they possibly can, and we're going to go out there and play football.

"Jason Wilde" wrote:


Wade
  • Wade
  • Veteran Member
13 years ago
Whine, whine, whine.
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Romans 12:2 (NKJV)
Greg C.
13 years ago
I heard John Clayton on the radio this evening, and he said that the bad field could favor the Packers because Aaron Rodgers will be trying to throw into holes in the Bears' cover two defense. I wish he would've explained himself a little more, but I think the idea is that when the defense is playing a lot of zone the receivers do not have to make the kind of sharp cuts that they do when they are up against man-to-man coverage. But then, the defenders don't have to make those sharp cuts either. So as Brian Urlacher says, "It goes both ways."

I do think it's kind of crappy for the Bears players to make so many disparaging comments about their field. They need to deal with that issue internally instead of embarrassing the people who take care of the field.
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peteralan71
13 years ago
Eh. Let them think that it is such an advantage to them. They can think up all these things that are advantages until we beat them and head on Texas.
Green Bay: Home of the Green & Gold. And the hunter orange. And the camouflage.
peteralan71
13 years ago
Also, I don't think I dislike any single player in the league as much as Brian Urlacher.
Green Bay: Home of the Green & Gold. And the hunter orange. And the camouflage.
Greg C.
13 years ago

Eh. Let them think that it is such an advantage to them. They can think up all these things that are advantages until we beat them and head on Texas.

"peteralan71" wrote:



But they don't think it's an advantage for their team. They actually think it is a disadvantage.
blank
peteralan71
13 years ago

Eh. Let them think that it is such an advantage to them. They can think up all these things that are advantages until we beat them and head on Texas.

"Greg C." wrote:



But they don't think it's an advantage for their team. They actually think it is a disadvantage.

"peteralan71" wrote:



I know that's what it says, but I'm just not so sure that I believe that. Deep down, they think that since it is their field, it will play to their advantage. Maybe I'm just projecting, idk, but that's what I think their perception of it is.
Green Bay: Home of the Green & Gold. And the hunter orange. And the camouflage.
yooperfan
13 years ago
Holy hell, it's football in January, weather and field conditions are what they are be it in Green Bay or Chicago.
Both teams have to play on the same field so what's the big deal?
It's not like we are the Tampa Packers.
RajiRoar
13 years ago

Also, I don't think I dislike any single player in the league as much as Brian Urlacher.

"peteralan71" wrote:



why is that?

MintBaconDrivel
Dec, 11, 2012 - FOREVER!
beast
13 years ago

Also, I don't think I dislike any single player in the league as much as Brian Urlacher.

"RajiRoar" wrote:



why is that?

"peteralan71" wrote:



The combo of

1. At times seems like a class A jerk
2. Talented jerk who plays on a divisional rival
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beast (2-Jan) : Thanks dfosterf, I'm still kicking myself for last week, as I forgot to change to pick Vikings and Lions... after putting in a holding spot.
Zero2Cool (2-Jan) : First alternate: Elgton Jenkins Other alternates: Jordan Love, Kenny Clark, Keisean Nixon, Tucker Kraft, Josh Myers, Jaire Alexander
Zero2Cool (2-Jan) : Pro Bowl still a thing? Guess Packers have three. Jacobs, Gary, McKinney.
dfosterf (2-Jan) : It's a mine field with all the players sitting, etc
dfosterf (2-Jan) : There was quite a bit of "chalk" matchups this year it seemed, but not this week coming up
Zero2Cool (2-Jan) : Or we got better and by we I mean everyone except me
Zero2Cool (2-Jan) : We have about six that by percent would have won nearly any season. I guess 2024 was predictable 🤷
Zero2Cool (2-Jan) : You can check previous seasons. I quick did it and don't think anyone hit 70% before
dfosterf (2-Jan) : Hats off to the Beast
dfosterf (2-Jan) : I'm at 71.76% in pick 'em. 2nd place. Beast is at a flat 75% 9 games ahead. That 75% has got to be unprecedented this late in the season
beast (2-Jan) : I don't care deeply, just want some good entertaining games
Zero2Cool (2-Jan) : BTW, not serious.
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beast (2-Jan) : I expect Georgia will change that tomorrow, but we'll have to wait and see. If they do, then only Big 10 and SEC are left.
beast (2-Jan) : So much for Conference Championship meaning something as 100% (so far) of the conference Champions lost their first playoff game.
Zero2Cool (1-Jan) : Jaire had surgery, season over.
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Mucky Tundra (1-Jan) : Eric Dickerson approves of this decision
beast (1-Jan) : Eagles are resting RB Saquon Barkley, so there is no chance he breaks the record despite being just 101 yards from it
Zero2Cool (1-Jan) : Patriots are waiving veteran pass rusher Yannick Ngakoue
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Zero2Cool (31-Dec) : Packers. Steelers. Ireland. 2025. Reports say.
Zero2Cool (30-Dec) : Matt Lafleur on if Jaire will play again this season. "Yeah I don't know... he's been dealing with swelling."
Mucky Tundra (30-Dec) : After the way they played for most of the game yesterday, I don't see how you can sit anyone for the whole game
Zero2Cool (30-Dec) : I'd say play everyone. Going into playoffs at 7th seed on two game lose streak - yucky
Zero2Cool (30-Dec) : Do the Packers have any best players?
beast (30-Dec) : Play or Rest*
beast (30-Dec) : Should the Packers play or free their best players vs the Bears?
Zero2Cool (30-Dec) : Packers should be 3 - 2 in the Division. Bonkers being swept by both Lions and Vikings. yikes
go.pack.go. (30-Dec) : All crazy stuff…and good point beast
beast (30-Dec) : Packers should be 0-5 in the division, can't say I saw that coming, even 1-4
Zero2Cool (30-Dec) : Sam Darnold 35 TD's ... another one
Zero2Cool (30-Dec) : Baker Mayfield, 39 TD's ... can't say I saw that one
Zero2Cool (30-Dec) : No matter who is playing as 7th, I think we want them to win. Get rid of 2nd seed haha
go.pack.go. (30-Dec) : That would be dhazer who was rooting for Minnesota
beast (30-Dec) : Well, Commanders are currently the 6th seed and Packers the 7th
beast (30-Dec) : Who was it in Chat, that wanted the Vikings to win (because Lions fans upset them) because Packers could not lose the 6th seed?
beast (30-Dec) : If Falcons win, Packers stay as the 6th seed and Falcons lead the NFCS, if they lose, Commanders 6th and Bucs take NFCS lead
beast (30-Dec) : Win or Loss, the NFCS is going down to week 18
Mucky Tundra (30-Dec) : if the Falcons win, how does that affect the overall NFC playoff picture? Does it mean that the NFC South comes down to week 18?
beast (30-Dec) : If Commanders win, the Packers drop to the 7th seed
beast (29-Dec) : Taylor still at it!
beast (29-Dec) : Colts get the ball and fumble turn over
packerfanoutwest (29-Dec) : Jets pull Aaron Rodgers for Tyrod Taylor
Mucky Tundra (29-Dec) : Colts-Giants now a tight one
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