FedEx Field

[The Hogster]

I have a question. I'm no expert in agriculture. So any input would help me figure this out. First, I'll say that I played football through college. And, I prefer natural grass by far. Mike Shanahan has said he prefers natural grass also. So, I'm not advocating for field turf necessarily. But, in light of the field conditions at FED EX, here is my question.

Can't you just roll out sod?? The kind with grass already in it? I own a rental property and I've done this with my yard. It goes from dirt to lawn in like an hour. Granted it's not a 100 yards of yard. But, can't a billion dollar operation afford enough sod to cover a playing surface??

I fail to understand why the players have to play on what one Seahawks player said was "dirt painted green." Even Doc Walker says the field is just dirt. It's got a few blades of grass, but it's basically just dirt. Even my fiance watching the game said the field looked messed up. And, finally--not blaming it on this singularly--but RGIII's foot got stuck in the "dirt" around the same place where Adrian Peterson blew his knee up. Anyway, what alternatives are there for natural grass?? Alternatives to painted dirt that is.

Here's Michael Robinson's video of the field before the game.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/blog/eye-o ... edex-field

This is what I'm talking about





What keeps this team from rolling this out at the bye week, or before the playoffs?? What am I missing.

[Countertrey]

Football is an outdoor game. Mud happens... mud is part of football. Relish it. Some of the best games in Redskins history were played in the mud bowl of RFK.

[Irn-Bru]

Definitely we should stick with grass, but it's shameful that Snyder doesn't have a plan in place to provide a decent playing field.

[The Hogster]

Football is an outdoor game. Mud happens... mud is part of football. Relish it. Some of the best games in Redskins history were played in the mud bowl of RFK.

This is true. I'm all for rain, snow, grass, & mud games. But, when the surface looks more like a baseball diamond, then that's a problem.

There's something to be said about grass. The smell in the summer just says FOOTBALL TIME. The dew in the morning. All of that is essential to the game.

[RG3peat]

You need time for it to take....it wont hold either if ya roll it out and play on it....it has to grow into the dirt below and take hold.

WHAT SNYDER needs to do is STOP having other events on the field like other games, concerts, etc....these are factors that have taken place. So he is also to blame for the injury to an extent. He has enough $$$ to buy another venue and make $$$ off of other events.....Hes as CHEAP as he is rich......

[Countertrey]

The turf has nothing to do with either injury... in fact, a player is far more likely to have a catastrophic knee injury on artificial turf... this is a load of crap.

[RG3peat]

The turf has nothing to do with either injury... in fact, a player is far more likely to have a catastrophic knee injury on artificial turf... this is a load of crap.

I agree....I just like to still blame Snyder....Its still shamefull that he would have that type of field for his players....If the grass is loose though there is a point when injuries go from pulled muscles due to slippage to tears when it gives out and then suddenly catches again. Multimillionaire being CHEAP!!!

[DarthMonk]

I agree that the biggest issue is the extra events. Sure seems like we could not have those extras during football season.

Here's the Cardinals' solutuon:

http://gosw.about.com/od/sportsandrecre ... dium_3.htm

The Cardinals Stadium features the first fully retractable natural grass playing surface built in the United States. Designed by CMX Sports Engineers, the retractable playing field is situated on 19 million pound tray that sits on 13 rails. The tray is layered starting with the grass on top which sits on a foot of sand. Under the sand is the plumbing for the grass and under the plumbing is the tray liner that prevents the water for the field from leaking into the wheels and engines. The tray is driven by 76 one horsepower engines and it takes the engines approximately 65 minutes to move the tray. An opening on the southeast side of the stadium allows the playing field to move to the exterior of the building so the entire natural playing surface can be exposed to daylight when it is not in use. This unique design element prevents the problems that have plagued the grass at Chase Field and saves an estimated $50 million in cost. With the field in the outboard position, the 158,000-square foot floor is unencumbered by the turf and features a built-in utility grid.

A new stadium where RFK sits with a roll-on field would be awesome.

Sod stays loose for a while and has troublesome seams. We want turf with deep roots that is not trampled excessively.

[The Hogster]

The turf has nothing to do with either injury... in fact, a player is far more likely to have a catastrophic knee injury on artificial turf... this is a load of crap.

Artificial turf does increase likelihood of injury. But, to say that the field has nothing to do with it is spoken like a person whose never played a sport. Playing on grass is much preferable to playing on dirt. It may not have contributed to RGIII's injury or Peterson's, but it can't be ruled out as a factor--especially when it was a non contact injury.

[Countertrey]

The turf has nothing to do with either injury... in fact, a player is far more likely to have a catastrophic knee injury on artificial turf... this is a load of crap.

Artificial turf does increase likelihood of injury. But, to say that the field has nothing to do with it is spoken like a person whose never played a sport. Playing on grass is much preferable to playing on dirt. It may not have contributed to RGIII's injury or Peterson's, but it can't be ruled out as a factor--especially when it was a non contact injury.

Does every post you disagree with mandate a snarky response? Is civility that difficult for you?

[Burgundy&Wha?]

The turf has nothing to do with either injury... in fact, a player is far more likely to have a catastrophic knee injury on artificial turf... this is a load of crap.

Artificial turf does increase likelihood of injury. But, to say that the field has nothing to do with it is spoken like a person whose never played a sport. Playing on grass is much preferable to playing on dirt. It may not have contributed to RGIII's injury or Peterson's, but it can't be ruled out as a factor--especially when it was a non contact injury.

Does every post you disagree with mandate a snarky response? Is civility that difficult for you?

Adrian Petersen went down with a helmet to the knee.

RG III's knee problem started with a hit by Haloti Ngata while his foot was NOT planted. It was not because of the field conditions.

Blaming the turf conditions is something talking heads at ESPN and other places are doing to fill their time. They're like a coffee-clatch of old hags complaining about anything and everything. By the way, F Trey Wingo.

Carry on.

[HTTRRG3ALMO]

I vote for 10ft sink hole booby-traps. Perhaps have an alligator or starved bear waiting at the bottom. Of course only after training our boys to avoid them

[cowboykillerzRGiii]

Bottom line, its in bad shape. Not from natural elements, but from to much abuse and not enough care. It looks like grass at a golf course in bad shape. Three different cuts... Unfixed divots.... And "ruff" in the middle of the fairway! Should be close to prestine every game day and only effected by the elements and damage from THAT games play. Natural grass in good kept condition doesn't injure athletes as much as turf, ok I've read that too, but the crap we have our boys run on probably does even more so-directly or indirectly.

[The Hogster]

The turf has nothing to do with either injury... in fact, a player is far more likely to have a catastrophic knee injury on artificial turf... this is a load of crap.

Artificial turf does increase likelihood of injury. But, to say that the field has nothing to do with it is spoken like a person whose never played a sport. Playing on grass is much preferable to playing on dirt. It may not have contributed to RGIII's injury or Peterson's, but it can't be ruled out as a factor--especially when it was a non contact injury.

Does every post you disagree with mandate a snarky response? Is civility that difficult for you?

You apparently define civility as telling someone that their observation is a "load of crap" without a retort. Whatever.

[welch]

The turf has nothing to do with either injury... in fact, a player is far more likely to have a catastrophic knee injury on artificial turf... this is a load of crap.

The foot plants on artificial turf; the player is hit; the foot stays planted; the knee snaps, since something has to give.

That's typical of turf.

Give the groundskeepers whatever they need to keep the field in good shape.

[cowboykillerzRGiii]

The turf has nothing to do with either injury... in fact, a player is far more likely to have a catastrophic knee injury on artificial turf... this is a load of crap.

The foot plants on artificial turf; the player is hit; the foot stays planted; the knee snaps, since something has to give.

That's typical of turf.

Give the groundskeepers whatever they need to keep the field in good shape.

Kinda like when the foot plants into a hole on a poorly maintained field of grass?


I'm all for lush grass with deep roots, so long as it covers the whole field.

[HTTRRG3ALMO]

Just keep loads of sod in a climate controlled warehouse and break it out the night before a game. I'm sure they have storage warehouses if even my company does.

If not, job opportunity!! I'll grow the crap myself and sell it to them cheap

[langleyparkjoe]

If sodding it more often makes the real grass better during the season, than heck yea!!!!

NO ARTIFICIAL TURF!!!

*I voted for the 2nd one obviously*

[SkinsJock]

OK - I'll weigh in

I think that FedEx field will have a MUCH BETTER surface for the next playoff game

NOTHING can change what was there - Dan Snyder will NOT let the field condition be an item of conversation for the next playoff game ..

EXCEPT ... maybe to point out how much better it is than it was last Sunday


I really think we'll see a new surface when we next play there
AND
I'd be VERY SURPRISED if Dan or Mike let them make a change away from a grass field

[DaSkinz Baby]

The blame I hear is due to more college games being played and concerts! I think that is a crock of crap. Snyder needs to find who did this field when the Cooke's owned the team. That Bermuda grass that once was planted was awesome, durable and had this field the envy of many teams. However they now have that new synthetic substance that is like grass and better than artificial turf. I think Snyder went with some low priced landscaping unit for cost savings. There is no credible reason as to why you have a billion dollar franchise and a ghetto field. Seriously......

[HTTRRG3ALMO]

The blame I hear is due to more college games being played and concerts! I think that is a crock of crap. Snyder needs to find who did this field when the Cooke's owned the team. That Bermuda grass that once was planted was awesome, durable and had this field the envy of many teams. However they now have that new synthetic substance that is like grass and better than artificial turf. I think Snyder went with some low priced landscaping unit for cost savings. There is no credible reason as to why you have a billion dollar franchise and a ghetto field. Seriously......

Especially when the grass is relatively inexpensive (in comparison to their other expenses that is).

[chiefhog44]

I'm all for lush grass with deep roots, so long as it covers the whole field.

I too, am all for lush grass and deep roots. Irie

[Burgundy&Wha?]

Bermuda grass goes dormant in winter. We don't want that. The field would look tan & brown. No thanks.

[The Hogster]

I'm all for lush grass with deep roots, so long as it covers the whole field.

I too, am all for lush grass and deep roots. Irie

LOL. No problem.

[DarthMonk]

I want this:

http://www.dessosports.com/sports/ameri ... roncos-usa