espn: fedex field "biggest dissapointment" WTF?

[skinzrule]

Having traveled to each of the NFL's 32 stadiums on the Ultimate Sports Road Trip, Andrew Kulyk and Peter Farrell have seen more stadiums than the Maddencruiser. Here are a few of their observations.


Favorite NFL City
-Green Bay (Andrew)
-Pittsburgh or Kansas City (Peter)



Best Sports Town
-Boston (Andrew)
-Philadelphia (Peter)



Best Concession Offerings, Overall
-Lambeau Field, Green Bay



Best Concession Offering, Single-Item
-Primanti Brothers sandwich, Heinz Field



Most Pleasant Surprise
-Lambeau Field, Green Bay
Peter: "So many places, when they go the renovation route, wind up with a product that's half of the shabby old place and half of the revamped new place, which just doesn't work. In Green Bay, they nailed it."



Biggest Disappointment
-FedEx Field, Washington
Andrew: "As you approach the building, the whole tailgating experience -- there were guys in their pressed Dockers, sipping wine and tapping on their PDA. You wanted the smell of sausage and people tossing footballs. There was none of that. It seemed to be very sterile, very corporate."



Best Concourse
-Coca-Cola Great Hall, Heinz Field
Andrew: "It's such a cool place to be. We made a point of going back down at halftime to eat and just soak up the scene."



-Grand Concourse, Soldier Field
Peter: "It's a place to be reverent to soldiers in the American military who have come before us. Also, a lot of respect is paid to the history of the Bears."



Best Cheerleaders
-Dallas Cowboys
Peter: "They're the originals, the mold that everyone has to copy."



Best Tailgating
-Buffalo Bills
Andrew: "They open the lots to RVs 3-4 days before hand. People do show up Thursday and Friday, and it's a big party scene by the weekend. We've seen hot tubs on flatbed trucks in the middle of January."
Honorable mention: Green Bay, Kansas City



Weirdest Tailgating
-Philadelphia Eagles
Andrew: "The first time we went to a game there was at the Vet, where they have specific tailgate lots, and we actually saw a guy arrested. He hadn't even lit up his grill, but he had pulled it out and the cops were there within five minutes."

Most Intimidating Fans
-Oakland Raiders
Peter: "When you turn on the TV and see Oakland fans dressed in Halloween costumes with skeletons popping out of their shoulders, these aren't isolated people. They're everywhere."



Best Fight Song
-"Fly Eagles Fly"
Andrew: "The song just gives us chills every time we hear it."



-"Skol Vikings!"
Andrew: "The wild-haired Vikings mascot driving around on the motorcycle on the field just adds to the zaniness."

[Hoss]

Biggest Disappointment
-FedEx Field, Washington
Andrew: "As you approach the building, the whole tailgating experience -- there were guys in their pressed Dockers, sipping wine and tapping on their PDA. You wanted the smell of sausage and people tossing footballs. There was none of that. It seemed to be very sterile, very corporate."

Did they even come to FedEx? Where was this? I have NEVER seen anything even remotely like this. Andy and Pete are surely talkin' bobo.

[Tacoma Redskin]

Best Fight Song
-"Fly Eagles Fly"
Andrew: "The song just gives us chills every time we hear it."

That should tell you everything you need to know.

[Chris Luva Luva]

Best Cheerleaders
-Dallas Cowboys
Peter: "They're the originals, the mold that everyone has to copy."

Maybe if this was 1994, they currently have some draggish looking women on that squad.

[SkinsChic]

Having traveled to each of the NFL's 32 stadiums on the Ultimate Sports Road Trip, Andrew Kulyk and Peter Farrell have seen more stadiums than the Maddencruiser. Here are a few of their observations.



Biggest Disappointment
-FedEx Field, Washington
Andrew: "As you approach the building, the whole tailgating experience -- there were guys in their pressed Dockers, sipping wine and tapping on their PDA. You wanted the smell of sausage and people tossing footballs. There was none of that. It seemed to be very sterile, very corporate."



Best Cheerleaders
-Dallas Cowboys
Peter: "They're the originals, the mold that everyone has to copy."



Best Fight Song
-"Fly Eagles Fly"
Andrew: "The song just gives us chills every time we hear it."

He must have missed the THN Tailgate - they are always throwing footballs and some are even falling on the pavement. And the smell of Isaacs food is in the air and I've never seen a bottle of WINE at one of them. What a jerk !

Now...for the Cheerleaders...if you like cheap trashy texas "ladies" than the cowgirls are for you - but obviously...he didn't venture INSIDE the stadium to see our classy "first ladies of football"

And last but not least...."FLY EAGLES FLY ?????" What the heck is THAT all about....HAIL TO THE REDSKINS HAS A LOT TO DO ABOUT FOOTBALL...AND NOTHING TO DO ABOUT BIRDS FLYING AND TRYING TO TEACH THOSE EAGLES FANS TO SPELL THE NAME OF THEIR TEAM.

Maybe this should be in SMACK ! I had a lot more on my mind.

[UK Skins Fan]

Perhaps Smack would enable me to vent my feelings a little better. But, for now, can I just say: yes, please send me some cheap trashy Texas ladies.

As for them being the mold that everyone has to copy - humbug.

[Justice Hog]

"As you approach the building, the whole tailgating experience -- there were guys in their pressed Dockers, sipping wine and tapping on their PDA.

Have to say that I encountered this at my very first tailgate of the year: Preseason game #1.

I, of course, was there as soon as the lots opened up. About 2 hours later, these 3 guys roll in and set up their stuff. Then out comes the red and white wine.

WINE!!

I was really tempted to yell something to them, but I refrained.

Best Fight Song
-"Fly Eagles Fly"
Andrew: "The song just gives us chills every time we hear it."

Anyone who can sit back and honestly pick this crappy song over "HAIL TO THE REDSKINS" (played by the Redskins Marching Band) has got to be a complete idiot!!!

[DEHog]

Having Tailgated in KC I can tell you that he's mostly right...he must have been in the purple lot with all the corparate folks. You don't see that in KC.

I thought these guys were legit until I saw their pick for fight song. As with the DC cheerleaders, our fight song is the original all other are copies!

[Justice Hog]

he must have been in the purple lot with all the corparate folks.

I'll just say this, not "all" of us folks in the purple lot are "corporate folks" . We still have some rowdy, passionate, inebriated Redskins fans. especially around my tailgate.

[JPFair]

I agree with DE, I don't think FedEx field is all that great in terms of the "football experience" and the tailgating side of things. It could be better, and although I don't COMPLETELY agree with him, there is a slight "corporate" feel to it if you go to the Stadium and bypass the hardcore tailgaters.

Now, as far as the fight song goes, this guy exposed himself as a guy that is just playing to the media. NO ONE, and I mean NO ONE can put "Fly Eagles Fly" over "Hail to the Redskins". It's just not possible!!!

[JPM36]

What are the chances these guys didn't even go on this trip?

It sounds like they are just pumping out stereotypes we've all heard before: Cowboys have the best cheerleaders, FedEx is too corporate, Raiders fans are most intimidating, Lambeau is the best field, etc....

I've heard all of these things a million times. Nobody needed to go on a 32 stadium tour to just regurgitate what we've all heard before.

Fly Eagles Fly over Hail to the Redskins??

I know I'm biased but good God in heaven....

[NikiH]

DE is exactly right! Sorry Justice but the purple lot is all people in clothes that I odn't personally deem approriate for a football game. I've made the comment walking through it.

I plan to find addresses for these idiots and letting them know that if they plan to rate tailgates they have to actually get off of their butts, do some research, and walk around.

[SkinsJock]

DE is exactly right! Sorry Justice but the purple lot is all people in clothes that I odn't personally deem approriate for a football game. I've made the comment walking through it.

I plan to find addresses for these idiots and letting them know that if they plan to rate tailgates they have to actually get off of their butts, do some research, and walk around.

Good work Niki! Invite them over to A75

I have not been to as many games as you but at all of those games the scene in the parking lots and tailgating sections was nothing like what is reported here. I know that there may be some "tame" areas but they are few and far between. The scene as described is not even close - I really miss RFK as I think the atmosphere there was a little more home team friendly but FedEx field before a game is not like these bozos described.


Probably end up being politicians

[Justice Hog]

DE is exactly right! Sorry Justice but the purple lot is all people in clothes that I odn't personally deem approriate for a football game. I've made the comment walking through it..

Jesus. Before you make the mistake of saying "all people" again, please stop my tailgate.

I will then challenge you to say that "all people" in the purple lot are not passionate Redskins fans, or "wear clothes not appropriate for a football game."

God, I hate over-generalizations. It annoys the crap out of me. I understand your point to some extent because I've certainly seen some "blue-bloods" in the purple lot, but please.......please.....never refer to "all people" again. It's just inaccurate and, frankly, somewhat insulting.

I am a proud, loud Redskins fan and I just happen to be in the purple lot....so sue me.

[Redskin in Canada]

Having Tailgated in KC I can tell you that he's mostly right...he must have been in the purple lot with all the corparate folks. You don't see that in KC.

I thought these guys were legit until I saw their pick for fight song. As with the DC cheerleaders, our fight song is the original all other are copies!

Seconded in full.

[Irn-Bru]

I figured I was going to see something about the fan experience at FedEx--it being a concrete bowl, or whatever--but I'm pretty shocked to see that the one thing they pick on is something Washington does pretty well.

And the Eagles' fight song? They have a fight song?

[DINO]

Man I hate to say it, But it's not just the purple lot that has the wine drinkers. I tailgated in the red lot the last 3 years , over by where the band assembles to march towards the stadium. My tailgating menu consisted of brats,dogs and venison burgers.....But all around me "as god is my witness".....was the following. Lobster tails steamed, shrimp tempora,bacon wrapped scallops , coconut crusted lime shrimp, blackened tuna steaks, and last but not least filet migon wrapped in bacon. Each time we went tailgating it was like going to a damn cooking show, but it had it's perks. I dont know if the people around us thought we were poor or what. They always cooked too much, and always offered us some!

[Justice Hog]

Man I hate to say it, But it's not just the purple lot that has the wine drinkers. I tailgated in the red lot the last 3 years , over by where the band assembles to march towards the stadium. My tailgating menu consisted of brats,dogs and venison burgers.....But all around me "as god is my witness".....was the following. Lobster tails steamed, shrimp tempora,bacon wrapped scallops , coconut crusted lime shrimp, blackened tuna steaks, and last but not least filet migon wrapped in bacon. Each time we went tailgating it was like going to a damn cooking show, but it had it's perks. I dont know if the people around us thought we were poor or what. They always cooked too much, and always offered us some!

I'm actually seriously thinking about the bacon-wrapped scallop thing. Just have to decide "when". All I know right now is for the Philly game, I'm cookin' cheesesteaks.

[cleg]

I am flabergasted that that stupid eagles song would be ranked above Hail to the Redskins?

http://www.the-hogs.net/Flash/httr.html

[DEHog]

Capt Jim from Hogwild charters (who tailgates with us) brings bacon wrap scallops and shrimp. You'll never here me complain about seafood at a TG One of my favorative things to bring are my homemade crabcakes!

[NikiH]

Scott and I were talking about doing some steamed crabs during preseason next year. Tailgating is awesome, add in some steamed blue crabs and it would be heaven!

And those bacon wrapped scallops are awesome! We had some post game for the Jags!

[Jake]

Scott and I were talking about doing some steamed crabs during preseason next year. Tailgating is awesome, add in some steamed blue crabs and it would be heaven!

And those bacon wrapped scallops are awesome! We had some post game for the Jags!

[Chris Luva Luva]

Id be lying if I said that Fed-Ex is the worse out of the two stadiums I've ever been to. Yes, Ravens stadium is the 2nd and its by far IMO the best out of the two.

1. We heard about accoustics when we played the Hawks and how they designed the stadium for it specifically. I dont think Fed-ex even took that into consideration and it only gets loud because of the sheer volume of peolpe. Aside from the dallas win last year, I whoheartedly believe that ravens stadium was louder in a preseason game than it a skins regular season game.

2. I hate the design but thats just me. They might as well have shaped it like a $.

[NikiH]

If they'd said that Chris I would agree but they knocked tailgating and we do tailgating right. We also do our best as fans to make the design flaws unnoticable. I re-watched the Redskins/Jags game and it seemed pretty damn loud to me.

[Jake]

2. I hate the design but thats just me. They might as well have shaped it like a $.

If Snyder was the owner when it started construction then I'm sure it would have.