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Conference 7.286::sports_90

Title:OURGNG::SPORTS - Digital's daily tabloid
Notice:Please review note 1.83 before writing anything.
Moderator:VAXWRK::NEEDLE
Created:Thu Dec 14 1989
Last Modified:Fri Dec 17 1993
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:438
Total number of notes:50420

82.0. "Weather and football" by OURBOX::LAZARUS (Dave Lazarus NYA DSS 321-5183) Thu Dec 21 1989 00:57

    This topic will be weather and its effect on pro football. In the
    history of recorded weather we have never had a colder December
    than this year in the New York area. I know it is worse 
    in many parts of the east and midwest.
    
    The last 3 Giants games have been played in brutal weather conditions
    and Sunday promises to be the worst of them all with life threatening
    cold predicted wind chills of -40. BRRRRRRR.
    
    Like many of the northern teams the Giants seem to have built their
    team for these kind of conditions.They have been drafting huge
    offensive linemen from the big ten and piledriving straight-ahead
    runners. I think they will have a huge advantage against the warm
    weather Raiders as will the Pats against the Rams and the Eagles
    against Dallas. 
    
    Except for Minnesota and Detroit every northern team plays outdoors.
    IMO weather is an extremely important factor in deciding who is
    going to win the Super Bowl.

    Finally my top cold weather games: Dallas-Green Bay championship,
    San Diego-Cincinnati AFC championship when the Chargers packed it
    in early,Giants-Bears when Landetta swung and missed and Jints-Skins
    championship game when the Jints got 17 points in the first quarter
    with the wind and won 17-0. Also the New England 3-0 win over 
    Miami in the snow. 
    
    How about some others guys?
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82.1CSC32::SALZERThu Dec 21 1989 01:256
    Denver played Green Bay during a monday night blizzard. Denver 
    kicksoff, GB fumbles it's 7-0.  Denver kicks off again GB fumbles
    again and Denver's special team scored again. 14-0 with less than 
    a minute gone in the game. 
    
    BoB
82.2RAVEN1::B_ADAMSI begin my knew life,Feb.11th 1990!Thu Dec 21 1989 09:156
    
    re-
    	Down with Domes!!!
    
    B.A.
    
82.3CSOA1::SCHRAMMBorn Free!....My Dad was a Doctor.Thu Dec 21 1989 09:2911
    
    
    
    Steelers had an interesting game against Miami this year in the
    monsoon weather in Miami
    
    
    re -1
    
    Ill second that...down with the domes!!!!!!
    
82.4Domes are for wimps!SALEM::RIEUWe're Taxachusetts...AGAINThu Dec 21 1989 10:143
       The last Pats home game had a windchill of -30! Trust me, it
    was COLD. 
                                  Denny
82.5CAM::WAYPhilly Eagles to hunt for NoriegaThu Dec 21 1989 11:1628
In my opinion, one of the GREATEST games ever, was the Ice Bowl, 
the Championship for the 1966 season, which determined which
team would go to Super Bowl I.

I think Green Bay had a clear advantage over Dallas in that game,
but I think that Dallas coped well to make it a close (and VERY
exciting game).


Weather works both ways.  If you're a cold weather team, go into
a hot climate can be almost as debilitating as moving a hot weather
team into a cold climate.   

Sometimes in early fall, if you run, or exercise outdoors, you experience
one day of summer-like heat, followed perhaps by an exceptionally cold
day (omen of things to come in December).  For me, these are the toughest
days to run, since my lungs never seem to be able to do the job.
A hot day in July doesn't bother me, since I'm used to it.  Running in
near zero temps doesn't bother me, since I'm used to it.

But, for an athlete to play several weeks in a row in NY and suddenly
go to San Diego must be tough.


Chainsaw

PS  Get rid of domes and artificial turf.  No More GIRLY-MON domed football
players!!!!!!!
82.6The second Packer-Cowboy championshipOURBOX::LAZARUSDave Lazarus NYA DSS 321-5183Thu Dec 21 1989 11:4612
    Re -1 
    
    A slight correction: The championship game  in Green Bay was the
    for the 1967 season. In 1966 Green Bay won at Dallas 34-27. It is
    true that we have seen examples of cold weather teams wilting late
    in the game in the Miami heat and humidity. 
    
    Weather is such a big part of football. It s**ks that the Domes
    in Minnesota and Detroit reduce those games into Carpetbowl. The
    Vikings have lost something by playing indoors.
    
    I hope the MEN from Cincy teach them a thing or two Monday night.
82.7SASE::SZABODearSanta,IWantARedCorradoForChristmas!Thu Dec 21 1989 11:588
    I think these guys, mostly O-linemen for some reason, are nuts for
    playing in short sleeves in these "ice-bowls".  For example, this guy
    named Goad(?) on the Pats last sunday.......  What purpose does it
    serve not to wear at least a sweatshirt, like the rest of the team?
    
    Totally friggin' nuts.......
    
    Hawk
82.8Christmas gift! 25-30 above by Monday!!! :*)MUSKIE::WIERSBECKPlease let it get above 0 againThu Dec 21 1989 11:599
    I don't really care for domes either, but can you imagine if next
    Monday night's here was played outside this week?  It's -22 this
    morning with -70 wind chills.  
    
    How many of you would sit out in that?  How many have experienced
    that recently?  No fun, actually quite dangerous.
    
    
    Spud                                             
82.9COOKIE::MJOHNSTONHell, the fall'll probly kill ya!Thu Dec 21 1989 13:3012
I'm not positive about this, but I think the Bears, in a game at Soldier Field,
have the distinction of having the only game in Football history to be called
on account of rain. Can anybody back me on this w/ Date, Opponent, etc.?

I've heard people say that domes are best, because `ideally', weather shouldn't
be a part of determining wins or losses. I don't quite buy it. Wind, rain,
snow, sun in your eyes, cold, heat, all add variables that allow a superior
field general to outthink and outperform the opponent. As a kid, I used to love
playing football in the snow or the mud, and I still like to watch those kinds
of games.

Mike JN
82.10It's the only one I could think of.WFOV12::MORRISONManuel & George play hide & seekThu Dec 21 1989 13:358
    
    Mike,
       Could you be thinking of the now extinct All-Star game which
    pitted (sp?) the Super Bowl champs against a group of college
    all-stars?
    
    Bull
    
82.11CAM::WAYPhilly Eagles to hunt for NoriegaThu Dec 21 1989 14:1513
re the Packer game....sorry my fingers slipped.  I meant 67....really

RE Lineman:

	Guys on the O-line don't wear a sweatshirt or anything because
	that would give the d-line just one more thing to grab.

	Some of them have taken to wearing the rubber sleeves on their
	arms, but most of them don't...


later,
Chainsaw
82.12JULIET::MAY_BRIt's a Jingle out thereThu Dec 21 1989 14:209
82.13Niners are a 1-3 road playoff teamOURBOX::LAZARUSDave Lazarus NYA DSS 321-5183Thu Dec 21 1989 14:267
    RE -1
    
    Fortunately for the 9ers they won't have to find out if they're
    a good cold weather road team,but in the their glory decade of the
    80's the only road playoff game they ever won was the championship
    game in Chicago last year. Their other two Super Bowls came when
    they hosted the playoffs,like this year.
82.14This ain't football weather!VERVE::BUCHANANBatThu Dec 21 1989 14:3010
The football season, (like most other pro sport seasons), is just too long. 
Football was not invented as a winter sport.  When the snow started to fly you
played hockey or moved inside and played basketball.  It's just the greed of
big time sports and TV that prolongs the season and turns the games into a
joke.  When the conditions of the game become more important than the skill of
the player then something is lost.  I don't care for domes either but...

Football should be over by now.  Baseball shouldn't start until the end of
April and be over before they have to play night games in late October.  Hockey
in June, doesn't anyone get enough?
82.15GENRAL::GIBSONThu Dec 21 1989 14:543
    
    You are mistaken. Football has always been played at least until 
    Jan. 1.
82.16BSS::RIGGENSteamboat 104inches newThu Dec 21 1989 15:235
    I know in the USFL days a Denver Gold game was called because of
    lighting.
    
    I know that only Girly mon like Flutie, Kelly and Walker play
    in the USFL. 
82.17SASE::SZABODearSanta,IWantARedCorradoForChristmas!Thu Dec 21 1989 15:335
    I'm pretty sure that a game was called at Soldiers Field several years
    ago due to severe lightning.  Now, whether it was pro or college, I
    don't remember......
    
    Hawk
82.18ISLNDS::COOKJoeyintheAM>GhinsuKnifeThu Dec 21 1989 15:429
    Hawk,
    	Didn't the "Can" want a baseball game called on account of fog?
    
    	Something about building parks to close to the ocean?
    
    [smiley here]
    
    Tom
    
82.19"Can DO"FDCV06::JWILLIAMSThu Dec 21 1989 15:444
    
    	He thought it should have been cancelled. The game was in
     Cleveland. Cann't get much closer to the ocean than Cleveland!
    
82.20Go Expos!AJCVAX::COTEAlThu Dec 21 1989 15:553
The game WAS called due to the fog. Afterwards Boyd said "That's what they
get for building the ballpark on the ocean."
82.21JULIET::MAY_BRIt's a Jingle out thereThu Dec 21 1989 17:253
    
    The baseball Giants had a game in the Astrodome called because of
    rain.
82.22GENRAL::GIBSONThu Dec 21 1989 18:1111
    
    Jeff,
    The Denver Gold game was not called because of the lightning and
    unbelievable down-pour. Lightning hit a power pole somewhere near the
    stadium knocking out all power. This was just before halftime. The
    officials sent the teams to the locker rooms and there was about a half
    hour - 45 minute delay. The game was completed. By the end of halftime
    the sun was back out. I was at that game.
    
                                                    HOOT
    
82.23Give me a breakAUSTIN::MACNEALBig MacThu Dec 21 1989 19:3113
82.24Indoor grass??USRCV1::COLOTTIRYou can't milk a BULL!Fri Dec 22 1989 12:2914
    A little snow or rain isnt too bad to play in. Mud is a lot of fun.
    But when the temp is 5-10 degrees and the wind is blowing 20-30
    mph, its ridiculous. Let them play in domes rather than expose the
    fans to that type of weather. Personally, I dont like domes, and
    I hate artificial turf, but you have to realize that maybe
    Minnesota wasnt crazy to build a dome. But Houston and N.O.?? Come
    on, get real. "Oh, its too hot in Houston in August". Kiss my a$$.
    Sure footbal is a manly-mon sport, but they play for the fans, and
    the fans need a break. Maybe they can figure out a way to have natural
    turf inside. That would be great for Minnesota and Seattle. 
    		              JMHO,
    		           Raider_Rich
    
82.25Obviously you've never been thereAUSTIN::MACNEALBig MacFri Dec 22 1989 13:035
82.26SALEM::RIEUWe're Taxachusetts...AGAINFri Dec 22 1989 13:063
       Don't the Texas Rangers play in the summer Texas heat? The Astros
    are wimps!
                                        Denny
82.27AUSTIN::MACNEALBig MacFri Dec 22 1989 13:134
82.28Grass would be niceHPSRAD::SANTOSA monster is being built.Fri Dec 22 1989 13:398
    Hey Mac,

       Do you know if Texas Stadium is going to natural grass? 
       I know JJ wants natural grass. 7 Cowboys blew out knees
       this year.

    Chuck

82.29CAM::WAYWe are such stuff as dreams are made onFri Dec 22 1989 13:4810
I prefer natural grass also.  Natural organic grass.

When you start fertilizing your grass with non-organics, you never know
what you can wind up with....severe hallugeons I guess.....

I also prefer natural turf in football stadiums, but that's another
story....


Chainsaw
82.30AUSTIN::MACNEALBig MacFri Dec 22 1989 14:301
    Chuck, I don't know. I haven't heard anything about it.
82.31HPSRAD::SANTOSA monster is being built.Fri Dec 22 1989 15:044
    Mac, I read somewhere that they were going to look into get natural 
    grass in Texas Stadium. I guess a decision hasn't been made.

    Chuck    
82.32CSC32::SALZERFri Dec 22 1989 17:4710
    Green Bay, Chicago, Cleveland, Denver and others have exterem low
    temperatures.  Has anyone heard the fans in those towns wanting
    a dome?  Tear the roofs of all the domes and plant grass. 
    Football wasn't intended to be played in ideal conditions.
    The elements should remain part of the game.  The Vikings of 
    old just don't have that same old toughness they use to have and
    I think it is do in part to the field conditions.  Put the
    Bears indoors?  The Chiefs?  Not anytime soon.
    
    BoB   
82.33Domes = Non-real football!COMET::JACKSONTAGo D!!!!Tue Dec 26 1989 20:207
      I also say down with domes and astro turf!!!  Maybe KC and the
    Meadowlands should convert.  Buffalo, Dallas, and the Pats are the only
    other teams that I can think of that have fake turf.  The stadium
    owners should help in making real men out of thier football teams!!
    
    
       Tj
82.34RT32::KAUFMANNCoram DeoWed Dec 27 1989 10:3512
>>    < Note 82.33 by COMET::JACKSONTA "Go D!!!!" >
>>                        -< Domes = Non-real football! >-
>>
>>      I also say down with domes and astro turf!!!  Maybe KC and the
>>    Meadowlands should convert.  Buffalo, Dallas, and the Pats are the only
>>    other teams that I can think of that have fake turf.  
    
    
    Sorry, but I believe that 16 of the 28 NFL teams play on fake turf.
    Think a little harder, and you can name some more...
    
    Bo
82.35FSHQA1::JHENDRYJohn Hendry, DTN 292-2170Wed Dec 27 1989 11:0123
    Fake Turf		Real Turf
    
    New England		Miami
    Buffalo		Cleveland
    Jets/Giants		San Diego
    Indianapolis *	Denver
    Pittsburgh		LA Raiders
    Cincinnati		Washington
    Houston *		Phoenix
    Seattle *		Tampa Bay
    Kansas City		Chicago
    Philadelphia	Green Bay
    Dallas		Milwaukee
    Detroit *		Atlanta
    Minnesota *		San Francisco
    New Orleans *	LA Rams
    
    It's evenly divided between the grass fields and the fake fields.
    There are 28 different stadia used in the NFL.  Giants Stadium is
    shared by 2 teams, Green Bay uses 2 sites.  Of the 14 fields made
    of phony turf, 6 are domed.
    
    John
82.36CSC32::SALZERWed Dec 27 1989 17:174
    Last year 2 teams went from fake to real. The Cards moved to Phoenix
    and the Bears tore out the plastic grass.
    
    BoB
82.38RIGEL4::JBONNOWed Dec 27 1989 17:556
    FWIW,
    
    Ohio State is tearing out their artificial turf and putting in real
    grass.  Iowa did this a couple of years ago.
    
    jab
82.39AUSTIN::MACNEALBig MacWed Dec 27 1989 18:102
    The Patriots are looking into replacing the carpet in Sullivan stadium
    with real grass for next season.
82.40JULIET::MAY_BRIt's a Jingle out thereWed Dec 27 1989 18:126
    re -1                        
    
    
    Shouldn't they get a real team first?
                            
    Sorry.  Couldn't resist.