OT Bye Bye home field, Bye Bye playoff chances for GB

[GGGG]

I used to be against artificial turf because of the injury factor, but since fieldturf has gotten rid of that issue, and the players actually like playing on it, it wouldn't kill me if the NFL mandated the use of artificial surfaces at some point in the future.  I know that goes against the "traditional" nature of football, but I would rather have a clean, consistent playing surface.

[Brewtown Andy]

Bears probably have the worst playing surface (with Pittsburgh a close second) of any team in the league. The field itself is a joke, and embarassing. High schools have better playing surfaces than the Bears.

Don't they play HS games at Soldier Field late for the playoffs or all star games?

[DegenerateDish]

I think the only HS game played at Soldier Field is the Prep Bowl, but I could be mistaken. The worst the "new" Soldier Field turf ever has been was last year when U2 played there and then I think it was a week later the Bears hosted the Steelers (to top it off, it rained half that game).

Steelers, I believe, let Heinz Field be used every weekend for HS games. I know there's been more than one weekend where Pitt and the Steelers have played back to back days, and throw in a HS game on a Friday night on top of it.

[Moonboots]

I used to be against artificial turf because of the injury factor, but since fieldturf has gotten rid of that issue, and the players actually like playing on it, it wouldn't kill me if the NFL mandated the use of artificial surfaces at some point in the future.  I know that goes against the "traditional" nature of football, but I would rather have a clean, consistent playing surface.

The DD Grassmaster stuff used in Green Bay has held up really well. I think it's something like one synthetic fiber for every 1000 blades of grass to keep it tied together tightly. I know it was used on European soccer fields before the Packers became the first to implement it over here, and some other teams have followed suit. I don't think that's an unreasonable supplement for 100% natural grass.

[rocky_warrior]

The DD Grassmaster stuff used in Green Bay has held up really well. I think it's something like one synthetic fiber for every 1000 blades of grass to keep it tied together tightly. I know it was used on European soccer fields before the Packers became the first to implement it over here, and some other teams have followed suit. I don't think that's an unreasonable supplement for 100% natural grass.

Hah, the Broncos (2001), Eagles (2003) and Steelers (2003) had the DD Grassmaster surface way before Packers (2007), but a minor correction

[WellsstreetWanderer]

Football is meant to be played on grass and mud. synthetic stuff doesn't stick on your helmet.

[GGGG]

Sports evolve.  Otherwise we'd still be shooting at peach baskets.

[cheebs09]

I believe the Badgers still do.

[Jam Chowder]

I believe the Badgers still do.

nice.

[Sir Lawrence]

Hah, the Broncos (2001), Eagles (2003) and Steelers (2003) had the DD Grassmaster surface way before Packers (2007), but a minor correction

I was at Lambeau Field for an event in October.  It was a Tuesday evening, and in the center of the field, between the 35 yard markers, had a strange looking apparatus, sort of like an irrigation system that you see in farm fields, with huge lights shining onto the field.  I asked a maintenance worker what it was all about, and he said that they were testing different grass seeds to see which grew fastest and strongest in the eventuality of an 18 game season and the need to keep the field in playing shape for two additional games.  He may have been full of crap, but they obviously were testing something. 

[rocky_warrior]

I was at Lambeau Field for an event in October.  It was a Tuesday evening, and in the center of the field, between the 35 yard markers, had a strange looking apparatus, sort of like an irrigation system that you see in farm fields, with huge lights shining onto the field.  I asked a maintenance worker what it was all about, and he said that they were testing different grass seeds to see which grew fastest and strongest in the eventuality of an 18 game season and the need to keep the field in playing shape for two additional games.  He may have been full of crap, but they obviously were testing something. 

I don't think that contradicts anything.  The "system" is mostly a synthetic fibers buried int the sandy surface, and you still plant grass or lay sod on top of it.  The roots of the grass eventually intertwine with the fibers, making the grass tougher to up-root.

But really, I was only correcting the statement that the packers with the first team in the US to use this system.

[Sir Lawrence]

I don't think that contradicts anything.  The "system" is mostly a synthetic fibers buried int the sandy surface, and you still plant grass or lay sod on top of it.  The roots of the grass eventually intertwine with the fibers, making the grass tougher to up-root.

But really, I was only correcting the statement that the packers with the first team in the US to use this system.

I wasn't trying to contradict you.  I just thought what I observed was interesting.  As the sun set, and it got dark, it looked like some weird science fiction movie experiment.  I tried to capture it on my cellphone, but it didn't turn out very well.  As to who used it first, I will defer to your knowledge.

[Coleman]

Football is meant to be played on grass and mud. synthetic stuff doesn't stick on your helmet.

+1

Astroturf is un-American! Just ask Crash Davis!