Quarterback Kerry Collins called it "borderline dangerous." Bryant said "there were potholes all over the place." Guard Rich Seubert just called it "bad." "There were some what I call 'ankle-breakers' out there," Collins said. "It was like my dogs in the backyard, they dig these holes and if you don't know where they are you can break your ankle walking through. It was similar." "I actually almost slipped and fell back," Bryant said yesterday. "Right there, in that particular area of the field, there were patches of grass that were kind of real loose." http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/story/21290p-20208c.html With quotes like these, you're probably looking at FieldTurf being installed within the next 2 years. It's shocking (fortunately) that no one has been seriously injured on this thing.
And to think one of the reasons the carpet was replaced with grass was a season ending injury to Vinny Testaverde a couple of seasons ago. They may find a way to mess up Field Turf too.
What's realy diapoint here is that they don't replace the grass sections ferquently. If they install FieldTurf it will hold up much better, MLS and the Metros will agree to playing on FieldTurf ,but forget about Internationals at Giants Stadium now(they won't play on plastic). Champions World and Stillitano must be pissed if they swithc back to plastic.
Why couldn't they just revert to the old system where they used natural grass on trays until mid-August, at which time the trays were removed and everybody (including the Metros) played on artificial turf? This way, they could still play internationals there, at least until mid-August.
Thats probably the best idea. Hopefully now that Collins complained, maybe NJSEA will think it's possible to get injured. Is it just me, or does Giants Stadium really have the worst field? All the other fields look really good except GS.
Under the old systems the Metros used to have to foot the bill for the (millions?) of dollars it used to cost to maintain, install and uninstall the grass, on top of rent paid. I'd rather they spend that money on a new stadium (ha!)
The reason why they abandoned that system was because the last time that it was done, the artificial turf underneath got stained.
I thought the reason they abandoned the old system was because they decided to go to natural grass full time. But even if staining the artificial surface was an issue, you would think the problem could be easily solved with some kind of cover over the turf when the trays of real grass are installed.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't FIFA approve the use of FieldTurf in internationals? Or do I have it confused with some other turf?
They did, but the spirit of the idea was more for places where grass doesn't grow, or resources don't exist to maintain natural fields, to have a pitch that was better than sunbaked dirt. Field Turf beats dirt, but grass is far preferable to Field Turf type stuff. And for MLS, field turf is looking like a frigging disaster. At least some of Chicago's injury problems might be due to the stuff, and it quite simply is not made for play in the summer heat. If the NJSEA puts in Field Turf, expect to hear all kinds of stuff about how Field Turf is the future, and FIFA has approved it. Then watch summer Saturdays next year as players run around on a 120 degree or more surface. It's going be ugly, and I'm not just talking about permanent football lines.
Chicago plays on SafePlay, which is about as another version of AstroTurf. Basically painted cement. FieldTurf is different and is more akin to grass. Several major clubs, including Ajax and ManU have FieldTurf indoor facilities, and Ajax is/was considering it for use in their new stadium. I've played (American) football on a precursor to FieldTurf and, while it's not grass, it's far preferable to Astroturf. At any rate, I hope the Metro get a new stadium soon so all this discussion is pointless. Sachin
Ajax uses AstroPlay for its practice facilities, but I don't think that they have been given FIFA permission to install anything artificial in the Arena. I could be wrong about that, though. I wholly expect FieldTurf to be in place at GS next year, and not just because the Giants & Jets will demand it. Zoffinger wants part of the soccer pie, and installing FieldTurf will increase the number of matches that GS hosts because every major club in Europe will want to try it out. If it's good, it will sweep Europe because it's cheaper to maintain than natural grass and opens the stadia up to more use. If it's bad, better to find that out on a neutral ground in a match that means nothing than to spend money on it or lose a Champions League match on it.
Not only that, but when you have a high-profile guy like Kerry Collins making comments that the field is "borderline dangerous", it's not exactly going to help the Giants and Jets attract quality free agents next year.
How will our purists and Europhiles adapt to their pet clubs playing summer friendlies on field turf cross-hatched with permanent NFL lines and graphics? And I can just see Ronaldo signalling to be subbed out so he can stick his feet in a bucket of ice. That's sure to bring clubs over for friendlies in the Swamp. I wonder if they plan on replaceable rugs for the end zones -- one set for the Giants, one for the Jets. WE gotta get outa this place!