[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-on-football/21533403/watch-michael-robinson-documents-shoddy-fedex-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]

[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]

[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/sportsandrecreation/ss/cardinalstadium_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]

[Countertrey]

[Burgundy&Wha?]

[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]

[welch]