RUMOR: Stephen Ross says get rid of infield dirt for Sunday

[Phishfan]

How often are they really using the bubble though? Just because it is there doesn't mean they are using it the majority of the time. I'd like to think they only use it for extreme weather conditions (by South FL standards). It would be nice to get some real figures on how often it is used.

[Brian Fein]

I give a crap about the dirt because it has a profound effect on the players.  That dirt infield is like playing on cat litter.  It causes injuries, makes kickers miss field goals, etc......   I remember Olindo Mare missing two field goals against New England in 2003, both of which were off that dirt.

Ever consider it wasn't the dirt's fault and that Mare just sucks?  Its easy to blame the dirt, because it makes Mare look like he didn't just shank 2 game winning kicks cause he was a crappy kicker that day.  He's kicked 100 FG's off that dirt, but on those two kicks, it was a huge factor?  I doubt it.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

How often are they really using the bubble though? Just because it is there doesn't mean they are using it the majority of the time. I'd like to think they only use it for extreme weather conditions (by South FL standards). It would be nice to get some real figures on how often it is used.

If I was the coach....the week before a home game or a road game on grass (Pittsburg) practice would be outside on grass....the week before an away game on astroturf, practice would be on astroturf. 

[masterfins]

I'm no fan of the dirt, however I can't say I like this idea.  I would think the newly laid sod would take time to really root itself.  If there happens to be a good rainstorm this section of the field would be a total mess.  Either way the footing will not be great.

[fyo]

I'm no fan of the dirt, however I can't say I like this idea.  I would think the newly laid sod would take time to really root itself.  If there happens to be a good rainstorm this section of the field would be a total mess.  Either way the footing will not be great.

I've seen soccer pitches complete resodded mere days before a big game. It's not great, but they aren't just rolling out a top layer of grass like you'd do when laying grass on your lawn; they are actually laying big, thick chunks (squares or hexagons). If done right, the main downside is that a lot of the grass will die from the punishment of being played on before the soil and roots are firmly settled. Since they're redoing the infield a few days later anyway, that's not an issue.

Drainage should not be an issue, especially when laid over gravel like an infield.

[Spider-Dan]

Likewise I think the Dolphin's request to play night games or away early in the season so the fans don't have to sit in the hot sun is dumb.

...what?

Since when do teams get to "request" when they play home or away?  Does GB get to request that the majority of their home games be at the end of the season?

[Landshark]

I'm no fan of the dirt, however I can't say I like this idea.  I would think the newly laid sod would take time to really root itself.  If there happens to be a good rainstorm this section of the field would be a total mess.  Either way the footing will not be great.

Out of curiosity, would it be humanly possible to add a retractable roof onto the stadium that looks like the ones in Dallas, Houston, or Phoenix and not that goofy looking roof I saw in the newspaper a while back?

[CF DolFan]

...what?

Since when do teams get to "request" when they play home or away?  Does GB get to request that the majority of their home games be at the end of the season?

We used to alwaysd play 1:00 pm games at home in September. We also used to have a very good start to every year.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

...what?

Since when do teams get to "request" when they play home or away?  Does GB get to request that the majority of their home games be at the end of the season?

Team make all sorts of requests.  Many (although not all) are honored if at all possible by the league. 

Dolphins have requested that September home games be at night.

Two years ago when the Patriots had 4 west coast games, BB requested that they be in two in a row, so the team could have two road trips where they stayed out on the west coast for a week.

Last year there was big todue, cause the Jets forgot to make a scheduling requuest regarding the Jewish holidays.

When the Chargers played in London they requested that one of their east coast away games be played the week beforehand.

[MikeO]

How often are they really using the bubble though? Just because it is there doesn't mean they are using it the majority of the time. I'd like to think they only use it for extreme weather conditions (by South FL standards). It would be nice to get some real figures on how often it is used.

They use it alot actually. More than they shoudl really

[Dave Gray]

I imagine that they use it quite a bit.  It's a nice facility and it's completely private, so they can draw up any kind of trick plays and not worry about someone getting the jump on them.  Also, it's balls hot here, so if you're going to practice for any length, you might want to do 1/2 inside, 1/2 in the bubble or something.

[MikeO]

Miami Herald reported the DIRT will be back for the Monday Night game vs New England in a week. The Marlins play on that Sunday before and with the 24 hour turnaround it will be impossible to get the grass down to cover it up

[CF DolFan]

I imagine that they use it quite a bit.  It's a nice facility and it's completely private, so they can draw up any kind of trick plays and not worry about someone getting the jump on them.  Also, it's balls hot here, so if you're going to practice for any length, you might want to do 1/2 inside, 1/2 in the bubble or something.

After our first preseason game they quit using it as much. Sparano was very disappointed that we had so many issues in the rain.