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**Discuss Field Conditions in Pittsburgh Here** (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter coachjim
- Start date
jamil
Footballguy
what would i do without my 10 points from my first round pick.
CrossEyed
Footballguy
That's not what I've been hearing. Dry today, tomorrow and Saturday, but rain/snow Saturday night and rain Sunday and Sunday night. Almost certainly not as much as last Monday, but rain nonetheless.
JerseyPaul
Footballguy
Sunday: Rain. Highs in the mid 40s and lows in the mid 30s.
hawaiiankrush
Footballguy
You gotta be concerned if you have any good players in that game. More worrisome than the rain at this point ( and it is going to rain ) is the field itself. If they have that layer of sod on top of the old sod like they did on Monday, good luck to anyone with Steelers/Bengals on their team.
I'm going to bench Big Ben for Campbell. 70% chance of rain. Only six days to fix a field that looked like almost pure mud. Even if they get it patched up, I have to believe it will fall apart again under the rain. Wet is one thing. When you can't get enough footing for a QB to plant his back foot or a WR to run hard under a long pass, I just don't see the potential for good passing numbers.
Exile
Footballguy
Very concerned. But I don't think I can do anything as the players I have in that game (Big Ben, Ocho Cinco) are just so much better than my other options (Eli at QB and Evans, Berrian, or Stallworth at WR). They better get that field in at least decent shape or I'm done as I basically need to win to make the playoffs.
Hmm...I feel like I should be pointing at a shirt or something.
Hmm...I feel like I should be pointing at a shirt or something.
hawaiiankrush
Footballguy
The following from the Nov. 29 - Cincinnati Enquirer says it all:
The beating the Pittsburgh organization is taking over the condition of the natural grass playing surface at Heinz Field is reminiscent of the heat the Bengals took before they installed FieldTurf at Paul Brown Stadium.
The Steelers defeated the Miami Dolphins 3-0 in a driving rain Monday night on sod that had been laid the day before over the existing field.
The field had been beaten down by four high school games during the Thanksgiving holiday and Pitt's final home game Saturday.
Because of the rain - 1.31 inches fell Monday at Pittsburgh International Airport, and there is a 30 percent chance of precipitation today - the sod didn't take.
"When they put the new sod over the old field, it just made it a deep mush; it was a deep pile of mush," Steelers linebacker James Farrior said Wednesday. "You couldn't really get your feet set in the ground."
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin on Wednesday - following Farrior's conference call with Cincinnati media - offered little hope that the field would be in any better condition for the Bengals game Sunday night. The Steelers, after consulting with the NFL, have decided not to replace the field before the game at a cost of an estimated $150,000.
Steelers officials said Tuesday that they would consider after the season the possibility of installing an artificial surface but that the field would have to stay the same for the duration of the schedule.
Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis knows what to expect.
"You don't have to test it. You know what it's going to be. It's not going to change from what you saw on Monday night," he said. "If it rains again, as it's supposed to, it's going to be what you saw on Monday night."
Lewis and his players said they would be prepared - physically and mentally.
"Guys will be in the proper shoes and ready to go," Lewis said.
Players can wear a maximum three-quarter-inch cleat. Other cleat lengths are one-half and five-eighths of an inch.
Lewis downplayed the sloppy conditions. "Guys just have to be conscious of it," he said. "We spoke about it. I don't want it to be the overriding factor."
For Bengals veterans such as left tackle Levi Jones, the thought of playing on a muddy field with difficult footing reminds them of the old Paul Brown Stadium grass and the condition of their practice fields adjacent to the stadium.
Former Jaguars coach Tom Coughlin was angry about the field - a sandbox, he called it - after the Bengals upset his team 17-14 on Dec. 17, 2000.
"We get that look every day out here on our practice field. Some days it can be (as bad as what he saw on television Monday night from Pittsburgh)," Jones said. "We all remember how this stadium used to be before it went to FieldTurf."
The test is for offensive linemen. "It's easier for a defensive lineman to sell out to try to get to the quarterback and fall on his face," Jones said. "If the offensive lineman slips, he gets hit for (giving up) a sack."
Quarterback Carson Palmer said he has played on some rough fields in Pittsburgh before.
"I played in Pittsburgh a number of times when it was pretty bad; they have a tough time growing grass there," Palmer said. "But the field that we practice on every day is as slippery. The turf comes up just as bad on our grass field as it does anywhere else I've ever played. So we're used to it."
Palmer anticipated no alteration in the offensive game plan, including the potential for deep passes.
"If it's hard to run a deep route," he said, "it's hard to cover a deep route."
The conversation Wednesday had a lot to do with which players had an advantage on a sloppy field. Would it be easier for a wide receiver to run a route, knowing where he was going, than a cornerback trying to cover him? What about a running back vs. a linebacker trying to read and react to a play?
Tomlin said talk of such possible advantages "was overblown."
One thing's for sure: Bengals tailback Rudi Johnson will get the ball a lot and Steelers featured back Willie Parker will handle the ball frequently on rush plays. Parker ran 24 times for 81 yards Monday night.
Johnson said he is not concerned about the possibility of re-injuring a hamstring that forced him to miss three games earlier this season. Besides, Johnson has a reputation - with a low center of gravity - for running well on bad fields.
"I saw it. I'm used to it. We have to play in it. They have to play in it," he said. "You can't use it as an excuse. You have to use it as an advantage if you can."
The beating the Pittsburgh organization is taking over the condition of the natural grass playing surface at Heinz Field is reminiscent of the heat the Bengals took before they installed FieldTurf at Paul Brown Stadium.
The Steelers defeated the Miami Dolphins 3-0 in a driving rain Monday night on sod that had been laid the day before over the existing field.
The field had been beaten down by four high school games during the Thanksgiving holiday and Pitt's final home game Saturday.
Because of the rain - 1.31 inches fell Monday at Pittsburgh International Airport, and there is a 30 percent chance of precipitation today - the sod didn't take.
"When they put the new sod over the old field, it just made it a deep mush; it was a deep pile of mush," Steelers linebacker James Farrior said Wednesday. "You couldn't really get your feet set in the ground."
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin on Wednesday - following Farrior's conference call with Cincinnati media - offered little hope that the field would be in any better condition for the Bengals game Sunday night. The Steelers, after consulting with the NFL, have decided not to replace the field before the game at a cost of an estimated $150,000.
Steelers officials said Tuesday that they would consider after the season the possibility of installing an artificial surface but that the field would have to stay the same for the duration of the schedule.
Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis knows what to expect.
"You don't have to test it. You know what it's going to be. It's not going to change from what you saw on Monday night," he said. "If it rains again, as it's supposed to, it's going to be what you saw on Monday night."
Lewis and his players said they would be prepared - physically and mentally.
"Guys will be in the proper shoes and ready to go," Lewis said.
Players can wear a maximum three-quarter-inch cleat. Other cleat lengths are one-half and five-eighths of an inch.
Lewis downplayed the sloppy conditions. "Guys just have to be conscious of it," he said. "We spoke about it. I don't want it to be the overriding factor."
For Bengals veterans such as left tackle Levi Jones, the thought of playing on a muddy field with difficult footing reminds them of the old Paul Brown Stadium grass and the condition of their practice fields adjacent to the stadium.
Former Jaguars coach Tom Coughlin was angry about the field - a sandbox, he called it - after the Bengals upset his team 17-14 on Dec. 17, 2000.
"We get that look every day out here on our practice field. Some days it can be (as bad as what he saw on television Monday night from Pittsburgh)," Jones said. "We all remember how this stadium used to be before it went to FieldTurf."
The test is for offensive linemen. "It's easier for a defensive lineman to sell out to try to get to the quarterback and fall on his face," Jones said. "If the offensive lineman slips, he gets hit for (giving up) a sack."
Quarterback Carson Palmer said he has played on some rough fields in Pittsburgh before.
"I played in Pittsburgh a number of times when it was pretty bad; they have a tough time growing grass there," Palmer said. "But the field that we practice on every day is as slippery. The turf comes up just as bad on our grass field as it does anywhere else I've ever played. So we're used to it."
Palmer anticipated no alteration in the offensive game plan, including the potential for deep passes.
"If it's hard to run a deep route," he said, "it's hard to cover a deep route."
The conversation Wednesday had a lot to do with which players had an advantage on a sloppy field. Would it be easier for a wide receiver to run a route, knowing where he was going, than a cornerback trying to cover him? What about a running back vs. a linebacker trying to read and react to a play?
Tomlin said talk of such possible advantages "was overblown."
One thing's for sure: Bengals tailback Rudi Johnson will get the ball a lot and Steelers featured back Willie Parker will handle the ball frequently on rush plays. Parker ran 24 times for 81 yards Monday night.
Johnson said he is not concerned about the possibility of re-injuring a hamstring that forced him to miss three games earlier this season. Besides, Johnson has a reputation - with a low center of gravity - for running well on bad fields.
"I saw it. I'm used to it. We have to play in it. They have to play in it," he said. "You can't use it as an excuse. You have to use it as an advantage if you can."
I have Big Ben and Palmer at QB, will have to start one of them, and I think I am going to have to start Ward and Miller too. I could start Cotchery instead of Ward. I have only one move left so if the field conditions are horrible im screwed for this week. Too bad, I was looking forward to a huge week this week.
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PantherPower
Footballguy
I think I'm starting Campbell over Palmer and Big Ben in almost all my leagues.
The_Man
Footballguy
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PITTSBURGH PA
347 PM EST THU NOV 29 2007
LONG TERM /SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY/...
STRONG LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM FROM THE ROCKIES WILL BEGIN TO SPREAD ITS PRECIPITATION ACROSS THE UPPER OHIO SATURDAY NIGHT.
MODEL SOUNDINGS INDICATE SUBFREEZING TEMPERATURES AT ALL LEVELS INITIALLY SATURDAY NIGHT AND MODERATING SUNDAY MORNING. AS CLOUD TOP NUCLEATION TEMPERATURES MAY NOT REMAIN COLDER THAN MINUS 10-15 DEGREES BY LATE SATURDAY NIGHT, SNOW PRODUCTION CAN BE CURTAILED AND GIVE WAY TO PERIODS OF SLEET AND FREEZING RAIN ON THE WAY
TO CHANGING TO RAIN BY MIDDAY SUNDAY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PITTSBURGH PA
347 PM EST THU NOV 29 2007
LONG TERM /SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY/...
STRONG LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM FROM THE ROCKIES WILL BEGIN TO SPREAD ITS PRECIPITATION ACROSS THE UPPER OHIO SATURDAY NIGHT.
MODEL SOUNDINGS INDICATE SUBFREEZING TEMPERATURES AT ALL LEVELS INITIALLY SATURDAY NIGHT AND MODERATING SUNDAY MORNING. AS CLOUD TOP NUCLEATION TEMPERATURES MAY NOT REMAIN COLDER THAN MINUS 10-15 DEGREES BY LATE SATURDAY NIGHT, SNOW PRODUCTION CAN BE CURTAILED AND GIVE WAY TO PERIODS OF SLEET AND FREEZING RAIN ON THE WAY
TO CHANGING TO RAIN BY MIDDAY SUNDAY
Breesisdaman
Footballguy
Considering benching Parker for T. Henry or Selvin Young (Who ever starts)
-OZ-
Footballguy
Evans will outscore 85 this week.Just thought you'd like to know.Very concerned. But I don't think I can do anything as the players I have in that game (Big Ben, Ocho Cinco) are just so much better than my other options (Eli at QB and Evans, Berrian, or Stallworth at WR). They better get that field in at least decent shape or I'm done as I basically need to win to make the playoffs.Hmm...I feel like I should be pointing at a shirt or something.
What are the odds of the field being that crappy again even with rain Sunday??? They are supposed to have NFL oversight and hopefully will work to ensure the field drains properly.
Lots of fantasy impact with Bengals, Steelers, fantasy playoff byes, etc. Can't afford a Big Ben goose egg like last week....
I give it about 40% chance of being crappy slop since it is raining all day. However, I give it a better chance of the field being ok and guys having decent statistical days.
Lots of fantasy impact with Bengals, Steelers, fantasy playoff byes, etc. Can't afford a Big Ben goose egg like last week....
I give it about 40% chance of being crappy slop since it is raining all day. However, I give it a better chance of the field being ok and guys having decent statistical days.
JaxBill
Footballguy
CrazyHorse1581
Footballguy
I'm going with Vince over Big Ben this week, I can't sit through another game like Monday nights with the playoffs on the line.
BusterTBronco
Footballguy
Pardon my ignorance, but shouldn't Pittsburgh be getting SNOW instead of rain at this time of year?
Consider the source, but Rooney says it's all good:
Steelers' Rooney says Heinz Field condition 'outstanding'
But team will take extra precautions to keep it dry
Friday, November 30, 2007
By Gerry Dulac, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Steelers Chairman Dan Rooney said the sod at Heinz Field is in "outstanding" condition for the game against the Cincinnati Bengals, and the team will take extra precautions to prevent some of the problems that existed in Monday night's soggy situation against the Miami Dolphins.
That's probably a good thing because the forecast for Sunday night is rain turning to snow, according to the National Weather Service.
The biggest move: The Steelers will use an extra layer of tarpaulin to cover the field, an attempt to prevent water from leaking through the seams of the existing tarp, as it did Monday night.
Rooney said the greatest collection of water was at the goal line, midfield and 25-yard line --- the areas where the tarp has seams.
The Steelers had the field aerated and rolled after the game against the Dolphins and have used blowers in an attempt to dry the sod.
Steelers' Rooney says Heinz Field condition 'outstanding'
But team will take extra precautions to keep it dry
Friday, November 30, 2007
By Gerry Dulac, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Steelers Chairman Dan Rooney said the sod at Heinz Field is in "outstanding" condition for the game against the Cincinnati Bengals, and the team will take extra precautions to prevent some of the problems that existed in Monday night's soggy situation against the Miami Dolphins.
That's probably a good thing because the forecast for Sunday night is rain turning to snow, according to the National Weather Service.
The biggest move: The Steelers will use an extra layer of tarpaulin to cover the field, an attempt to prevent water from leaking through the seams of the existing tarp, as it did Monday night.
Rooney said the greatest collection of water was at the goal line, midfield and 25-yard line --- the areas where the tarp has seams.
The Steelers had the field aerated and rolled after the game against the Dolphins and have used blowers in an attempt to dry the sod.
Magnus_CA
Footballguy
It's called global warming.
CrossEyed
Footballguy
Not really. November/early December is typically rainy more than snowy. It doesn't usually get really cold here until January.
aardball44
Footballguy
Point to their shirts.Cost 2 of my opponents theirs.
aardball44
Footballguy
How'd your bets work out for you?
aardball44
Footballguy
Are you proposing they play indoor NFL games in the nude?
Rogi
Footballguy
Ward did OK last week vs. MIA. He had 9 catches for 88 yds but a TD would've been nice. I think Holmes might be out again and if so Ward will be Ben's favorite target.
The Houston Stallions
Footballguy
Are you freaking serious! They didn't fix the field!!!
Last week they laid the new sod over the old. Because they didn't have enough time to pull up the old stuff. Now they've had 6 days and didn't do anything?? WTF!!!
I don't care what it cost ($150,000), they should have fixed it! While I'm sure the score will be more than the 3 points we saw with Miami, the NFL and the Steelers have too much at stake to quibble over $150K. That's about half of what one suite sells for. Not to mention the thousands fof Season ticket holders that pay for a good game!
Last week they laid the new sod over the old. Because they didn't have enough time to pull up the old stuff. Now they've had 6 days and didn't do anything?? WTF!!!
I don't care what it cost ($150,000), they should have fixed it! While I'm sure the score will be more than the 3 points we saw with Miami, the NFL and the Steelers have too much at stake to quibble over $150K. That's about half of what one suite sells for. Not to mention the thousands fof Season ticket holders that pay for a good game!
Jeff Pasquino
Footballguy
This guy gets it.Miami +16 and Under 40. All the way to the bank. Never even a doubt. When I turned on the pregame I wanted to go over to the Casino and cash my ticket. Thanks for the great Information.
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Hipple Long Ware & Peete
Footballguy
if it is as bad as people say, and expecting rain, is there any precedent to laying an artifical field on top of an unsafe and loose field? Could they even do this (scientificallyu) without destroying the grass underneath? it seems they could lay an astroturf fild over it somehow for the game, but then again I'm no horticulturalist...
analog_hiss
Footballguy
They did the exact same thing at Lincoln Financial, but a week and a half earlier. (sod over DD Grass Master)This week's game is the first played on it.
I would figure an artificial surface would slip over an existing field turf.
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Andy Herron
Footballguy
I'm not trying to differ with you, but I can't imagine how they would secure the turf enough to keep it from rolling and wrinkling up. I'm picturing laying a piece of carpet on existing carpet without tacking it. Ya know?
The Football Freak
Footballguy
Any staff or homers have a gameday update on the field?
TheBigTuna
Footballguy
Big ben and ward were decent last week..... Carson was very accurate last week... Could houshmandzadeh be do for 10-75-1... he is a big target and is carsons most dependable receiver.... Even the Housh has been huge this year, I am scared and I am gunna bench him for Andre Johnson(bad weather too), Braylon(q with hamstring) and Adrain (flex,limited touches)...Am i crazy?
bakes
I am the Beer God!
FWIW, my new hire from Pittsburgh told me her sources say the, and I quote, "weather sucks for football 'n'at." 
Went with Campbell over Big Ben but have no choice in starting Henry as I trust Coles' ability to either stay healthy or shake off the inevitable double team today less than Henry's ability to stay within the law.
Went with Campbell over Big Ben but have no choice in starting Henry as I trust Coles' ability to either stay healthy or shake off the inevitable double team today less than Henry's ability to stay within the law.
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tribecalledjeff
Footballguy
sure is i'm absolutely terrified.
bakes
I am the Beer God!
TheBigTuna
Footballguy
Possession receiver and consistent route runner is a plus on a sloppy track... that's why I am thinking he could get a lot of targets
oh jeffery you have no idea how scary this is......should i start housh and CJhttp://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index...howtopic=368989Want a rain slicker? How about some galoshes?
