Bears-Vikings playing at TCF Bank Stadium a forgone conclusion
by Dane Noble on Dec 16, 2010 3:41 PM CST
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In as much of an "official" statement as it can be, league spokesperson Greg Aiello says that the Bears will face off against the Vikings at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, MN on Monday night. From The Trib:
"The game is going to be played there," Aiello said. "The decision has been made. If the situation changes and something unusual happens, we'll adjust. But there are no indications we wouldn't be able to play the game there. It's full steam ahead preparing the field and the stadium for a game on Monday."
Many players have expressed concern over the playing surface, considering the field is not heated in any way. It's been described as potentially playing on hard rock, with the field having been completely frozen for weeks. Even in frigid temperatures at NFL stadiums, the fields have some sort of heat source, and aren't rock-hard. We'll see how how things transpire in the next couple of days.
Also, the Vikings announced the ticket policy for the game, and it included this piece of information:
IMPORTANT: This is a first-come, first-served event. The Vikings anticipate this game to be well-attended and having a valid ticket does not guarantee admittance into TCF Bank Stadium. In the event that some ticket holders are turned away on game night due to capacity, only the original ticket account owners will receive a full refund.
Read the full statement and details here.
Oh, and you can't buy alcohol at the stadium, or bring your own. Also, feel free not to leave your seat at any point for the restroom or concession stand, because it is mostly general admission and you could lose your seat. Oy vey.
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But... But... But...
INDIANAPOLIS!!! It’s two hours away for me!!! I wanna see my Bears play, and still get home for work tomorrow!!!
I’m still kinda wondering why they’re not considering Lambeau for this game, as a backup…
Because Green Bay fans might randomly bury land mines to take care of 2 of their division rivals
All women are beautiful when the lights are off!
by touchdown bears on Dec 16, 2010 5:15 PM CST up reply actions 2 recs
In the event that some ticket holders are turned away on game night due to capacity, only the original ticket account owners will receive a full refund.
Can you imagine the people that got their tickets off stubhub or some other online scalper; where they paid hundreds, possibly thousands of dollars?
This whole thing is turning into a big cluster…
-------
cheekymonkeyart.com | follow me on facebook and twitter
I got mine from stubhub.
Just sold them to a “friend” to at least guarantee I got something in return.
What a mess.
Unless you're talking luxury box seats I doubt anyone will go bankrupt.
Two years ago when the Vikings were fielding a decent team I got Bears/Vikes seats on the 35 yard line for $80 apiece. A few weeks back my sister got tickets around mid field for $50 apiece. Viking tickets tend to be pretty reasonable especially when they are playing this bad. Not that there won’t be some very disappointed fans and even being out a few hundred can really hurt in this economy.
If you can't laugh at yourself you must not be very funny.
I remain a pessimistically hopeful Bears fan.
You won't go bankrupt but you're going to lose money
My tickets were purchased for 50 each off stubhub. But the Vikings have declared any ticket upper deck is 29 bucks. So if I can’t get in I would get a refund of 29. The other irritating factor is the refund goes to the original ticket account holder. So then I’d have to go bug that guy.
This is a dumb move in my opinion
The NFL is all safety conscious yet they are OK with this playing surface? I call BS.
If you go in the bathroom, turn off the lights, and say "Da Coach" 5 times while facing the mirror... Ditka will appear and slap the wussy right out of you.
by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Dec 16, 2010 3:52 PM CST reply actions 1 recs
I agree
I like the idea of playing at Lambeau if the Packers were to sign off on it. Playing on a concrete-like surface is literally playing with fire. What if Cutler suffers another concussion? What if AP breaks his leg on this field? Not good, not good at all.
"He's a great candidate," Ryan said. "If I hadn't made him drop in coverage so often on running backs, he might be the all-time sack leader. They call it zone blitzing nowadays. We called it, 'Richard, pick him up.'" - Buddy Ryan on Richard Dent's HOF chances.
The sad thing is
Nothing will happen until a very important player gets severely injured. The NFL seems to be a watch-and-react rather than preemptive when it comes to player safety, just look at the helmet/concussion fiasco going on right now. Lets just hope nobody gets hurt this weekend…with the exception of Favre failing down on the sidelines when the camera zooms in on him…that would be humorous.
"Word of advice, don’t join, Bears fans are crazy."--- D-Jackfan10
the NFL is not safety-conscious
they are image-conscious. there have been a number of incidents the last few years where former players’ struggles post-nfl have gotten a lot of media attention, esp. re: concussions. the nfl wants to add 2 more games to the regular season. how is that looking out for players? playing a game on a frozen field? not at all good for players on either team. i’m really pissed and worried about this. i mean, imagine if cutler gets hit a lot in this game (not inconceivable at all). concussion? shoulder injury? if forte cuts wrong on the ice field? knee problems? this extends to the vikings as well. i’m sure they wouldn’t be happy to see peppers drive AP into the “grass” and break his shoulder, or jared allen blow out his knee trying to cut to beat omiyale to pressure cutler.
by guy incognito on Dec 16, 2010 6:35 PM CST up reply actions
It's brutal
The NFL is only worried about their poster-boy QBs. I don’t mind adding two extra games cause they can just increase the rosters, and eliminate two preseason games.
"He's a great candidate," Ryan said. "If I hadn't made him drop in coverage so often on running backs, he might be the all-time sack leader. They call it zone blitzing nowadays. We called it, 'Richard, pick him up.'" - Buddy Ryan on Richard Dent's HOF chances.
This game should be moved to the L.A. Coliseum.
"More cowbell" - Bruce Dickinson; "More bell cow" - Lovie Smith
by Pete Dixon on Dec 16, 2010 4:00 PM CST reply actions 1 recs
I wonder how many snowballs will be thrown my direction as I stand in line to get in?
If they were set to play this game at a college stadium, they should have used Iowa’s Kinnick Stadium – less snow, warmer, more familiar with big games and about equal distance between the 2 teams. Not to mention that Kinnick actually seats over 70,000, so they could have sold MORE tickets instead of saying “if you don’t get in, sorry about your damn luck”.
The whole reason they're in Minny
Is because the Ziggster said he would not allow the game to be played where the home fans cannot easily get to it.
Indy offered up Lucas Oil Stadium, Detroit was on the options list, but the owner wanted it in Minnesota, so that’s where it will be.
Now, if a bunch of people get hurt because of this, the NFL will officially become the biggest hypocrites in the world. After all, this leauge is all about safety first!
You couldnt
tell that the league was hypocrites already by wanting to play more games while still limiting the roster and not increase pay? ……
I want history to erase his every achievement.....I want him to feel the disgust in the bronco fans eyes when they look on him in shame....
- Jay Cutler on josh mcdaniels firing
by CloudyFuture on Dec 16, 2010 5:17 PM CST up reply actions
This is just getting worse by the minute.
I just hope none of our guys get injured because of the concrete field.
When the world slips you a Jeffrey, stroke a furry wall.
- Aldous Snow
Clayton on ESPN
No way wilf would allow this game to be moved outside minny….Was going to fight the NFL on a move no matter what…..
They have the 50th anniversary of the vikings and they wanted to celebrate that in minny and not have to move the game else where….
This is regardless of if the field is frozen or not…..NFL officials want to keep the game in minny as well (did not really say why other than hinting that they sort of gave in to wilf)…..
wilf saw the fans trying so hard to get the stadium ready and did not want to disappoint the fans that are working so hard to get the game played there…..
Field will most likely be frozen though since they do not have a heating system in place on the field….
I want history to erase his every achievement.....I want him to feel the disgust in the bronco fans eyes when they look on him in shame....
- Jay Cutler on josh mcdaniels firing
And our field conditions are bad ?
" Everyone has a plan 'till they get punched in the mouth. " ~
Mike Tyson
by MidWayMonster54 on Dec 16, 2010 5:40 PM CST up reply actions
Wilf reminds me of an old cartoon character
His goofy mustache, and very strange demeanor creeps me out a little.
"He's a great candidate," Ryan said. "If I hadn't made him drop in coverage so often on running backs, he might be the all-time sack leader. They call it zone blitzing nowadays. We called it, 'Richard, pick him up.'" - Buddy Ryan on Richard Dent's HOF chances.
and Virginia
(or even Michael) doesnt?…..
I want history to erase his every achievement.....I want him to feel the disgust in the bronco fans eyes when they look on him in shame....
- Jay Cutler on josh mcdaniels firing
by CloudyFuture on Dec 16, 2010 7:11 PM CST up reply actions
Michael is a little like Gordon Gekko
Greed is indeed good.
"He's a great candidate," Ryan said. "If I hadn't made him drop in coverage so often on running backs, he might be the all-time sack leader. They call it zone blitzing nowadays. We called it, 'Richard, pick him up.'" - Buddy Ryan on Richard Dent's HOF chances.
He reminds me of a videogame character.
Can you guess who?
The Minnesota Vikings: Where we're so desperate to win a Super Bowl, we'll even sign washed-up Packers.
by Robert Rence on Dec 16, 2010 8:52 PM CST up reply actions
No
I give up…pease tell.
"He's a great candidate," Ryan said. "If I hadn't made him drop in coverage so often on running backs, he might be the all-time sack leader. They call it zone blitzing nowadays. We called it, 'Richard, pick him up.'" - Buddy Ryan on Richard Dent's HOF chances.
I'd say it's more Wario than Mario, going by RR's pic...
by Steven Schweickert on Dec 17, 2010 6:58 AM CST up reply actions
Ding ding ding!
The Minnesota Vikings: Where we're so desperate to win a Super Bowl, we'll even sign washed-up Packers.
by Robert Rence on Dec 17, 2010 7:54 AM CST up reply actions
This I don't get..
They have the 50th anniversary of the vikings and they wanted to celebrate that in minny and not have to move the game else where
Why didn’t they do this at the beginning of the Season, when there was still hope and their schedule was weaker…its pointless to have something like this this late when they knew the team was either hit or miss…I hope we win by double digits
"Word of advice, don’t join, Bears fans are crazy."--- D-Jackfan10
My guess honestly
is that they thought they would have a good season with what happened last year….Add in that it could be favre last “home” game as a viking and they might have wanted to go all out…..
I want history to erase his every achievement.....I want him to feel the disgust in the bronco fans eyes when they look on him in shame....
- Jay Cutler on josh mcdaniels firing
by CloudyFuture on Dec 16, 2010 9:07 PM CST up reply actions
NFL network
Just said they are going to put heaters on the field at some point to soften it up a little.
by jimribs on Dec 16, 2010 5:54 PM CST via mobile reply actions
"at some point to soften it up a little".
heaters wont do much. i think you will have to wait till april
Not frozen...
Per updates from the U and the Vikings turf superintendent the field has no ice and is not frozen. Heating it under tarps for 3 days will have it in good shape for MNF.
ON the field?
Yay for mud on concrete.
Ugh. This is gonna be a disaster.
Nobody who ever gave his best regretted it. -George Halas
If the field turf
secretes mud, we truly are in for a disaster.
by jimribs on Dec 16, 2010 6:36 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
I suppose
I should think about not starting AP. I can totally see him being pulled because of this nonsense. If the Bears can get a good lead, look for the starters on both sides to come out.
"He's a great candidate," Ryan said. "If I hadn't made him drop in coverage so often on running backs, he might be the all-time sack leader. They call it zone blitzing nowadays. We called it, 'Richard, pick him up.'" - Buddy Ryan on Richard Dent's HOF chances.
i get minny wanting to keep the game in-state
but what if the horrible field conditions cost them some of their key players? is that price worth it? i really hope they know more than we do about how to make the field playable (ie not ice) for the game, because if they don’t, this is a catastrophe waiting to happen, and it will all be because of the vikings stupidity in allowing the home field advantage to overshadow player safety (including their players, who play in cold weather less often than we do) and the nfl for not putting a stop to this. my only hope is we somehow get a quick big lead and get our starters out of there.
short-term, i get it
but again, what if one of their key players suffers a serious injury? if AP tears his ACL, or jared allen breaks his leg, this decision will end up being significantly worse for the franchise. also, what does it say to the players who are there or who might consider signing there that the team let home field advantage overrule their own players’ safety? not a good selling point.
by guy incognito on Dec 16, 2010 6:48 PM CST up reply actions
I concur
It’s a needless risk for everyone involved.
"He's a great candidate," Ryan said. "If I hadn't made him drop in coverage so often on running backs, he might be the all-time sack leader. They call it zone blitzing nowadays. We called it, 'Richard, pick him up.'" - Buddy Ryan on Richard Dent's HOF chances.
Oh, and you can’t buy alcohol at the stadium, or bring your own.
Wanna bet? Or is the TSA providing security?
Doesn't practically
every cold-weather team have a built in heating system to keep the field from freezing?
Yes
but this isn’t an NFL club field. Normally, this field is shuttered in November (iirc) so there is no need for under-turf heating.
The bottom line, the field is NOT intended to be used in this state, but the NFL gets what the NFL wants.
I’m just hoping nobody gets hurt on either side.
Normally, this field is shuttered in November (iirc) so there is no need for under-turf heating.
So the Gophers will always have to play their last four or five games on the road?
"That’s what I love about my skip, man. He’ll tell you that you suck...I know I suck. We know we suck...Yeah, we suck. But we’ll see who sucks at the end."
- Gary Sheffield
by DrGalazkiewicz on Dec 16, 2010 7:57 PM CST up reply actions
Big Ten games are over by the end of November/early December.
If you can't laugh at yourself you must not be very funny.
I remain a pessimistically hopeful Bears fan.
The ground isn't fully frozen...
…when the Gophers are playing. The heating coils would be a great thing to have, but the U had a very tight budget that they were forced to follow. As a Gopher season ticket holder I can tell you that they didn’t cut corners in many places, but this appears to be one of them. Given the fact that it doesn’t impact the Gophers I can see why.
As it is, the Vikings turf guy has been tweeting today that the field is not frozen and covering/heating it should keep it in fine shape for Monday.
What am I missing here?
Haven’t the Gophers played here in the past two weeks? Was it frozen solid then? And how the hell could you build a new stadium in Minnesota without a heating system?
"That’s what I love about my skip, man. He’ll tell you that you suck...I know I suck. We know we suck...Yeah, we suck. But we’ll see who sucks at the end."
- Gary Sheffield
Actually (see above)
The last game for the Gophers was played on November 27th. Home game. College football is a little different from the NFL and the Big Ten is even more different without a championship game.
If you can't laugh at yourself you must not be very funny.
I remain a pessimistically hopeful Bears fan.
See my above post...
A frozen field just isn’t a major problem for the Gophers. There was a small issue with ice on the surface for their last game because it was still a thaw/freeze cycle in late Nov, but they were able to deal with it easily before the game. According to the U and the Vikings turf guy it actually looks like the field is in better shape right now then it was before the Iowa game. Things should be fine.
Whoohooo more Bear weather..........wait, nevermind.
White Sox fans need not apply.
by Bears-Cubs Bulls on Dec 16, 2010 7:53 PM CST reply actions
NFL= not fully literate
The nfl is a joke keeping the bears/vikes game at that college stadium instead of moving it to a dome like they did for the vikes/giants game, i have no problem with bears/vikes game being played inside or outside monday night but the conditions are no where near safe regardless of how many people they have helping to remove the snow.
The stadium isn’t meant to be played in 40 degree weather or below (something like that in their words), the field isn’t heated and there’s a 2inch layer of ice on the field under the snow, injuries and concussions become greatly evident to watch out for (playing on that field at 0 degrees monday night will be like playing on asphalt with no football gear on etc…).
3 days isn’t enough time to have that college stadium nfl ready let alone nfl safe for the players, so much for the nfl “watching out for player safety” my ass…
Commish goodell need to make it right and move the game to detroit, indy, st louis or new orleans……he’s has the final word to make a last minute change.
The stadium...
…is totally fine in less than 40 degree weather (or 30 or 20) and has already hosted games in those conditions without incident. The bathrooms and concession areas are indeed heated (as a Gopher season ticket holder I can attest to this) so I’m not sure where ESPN got that nonsense.
There is no 2 inch layer of ice. The Vikings turf superintendent said there was basically NO ICE when he inspected the field today and that is before the tarp goes down or the heaters go up.
By all the updates given by the U and the Vikings turf guy today it also looks like the field will be fine. Proof is in the pudding but I wouldn’t expect issues on Monday. The stadium and the field will be safe for MNF.
by GoAUpher on Dec 18, 2010 12:39 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
According to our team ....
……. player rep , Robbie Gould , we’re not gonna protest . We’re not gonna protest ? ……… We’re not gonna protest ……………
" Everyone has a plan 'till they get punched in the mouth. " ~
Mike Tyson
by MidWayMonster54 on Dec 16, 2010 10:53 PM CST reply actions
Gutter is a tool!
"It's important in life to not give a shit. It can help you a lot." - George Carlin
Excellent ! Somebody got the PCU reference .
" Everyone has a plan 'till they get punched in the mouth. " ~
Mike Tyson
by MidWayMonster54 on Dec 17, 2010 11:35 AM CST up reply actions
It's going to be old school
Bears played out doors in Minn for 20 years before the imploding dome was built.
. "Most football teams are temperamental. That's 90% temper and 10% mental."
--Doug Plank
yeah...but wasn't the old stadium heated?
i mean, even the ice bowl in lambeau had heating…it was just too damn cold for it to work well. the cold isn’t the issue here, its the concrete we’re going to be playing on…unless they find a way to thaw that field.
by guy incognito on Dec 16, 2010 11:13 PM CST up reply actions
An opposing view
Guys, the U of M has heating chemicals on the field and a heated tarp that will cover the field until warmups, I believe.
It’s not going to be an ice rink. Personally, I’m stoked that the Vikinga are going to be playing outside at home again. It will bring back a lot of memories from their days at Met Stadium. Should be fun!
I find it ironic that the Bears of all teams are complaining about a playing surface.
The Daily Norseman
Off Tackle Empire
SB Nation Minnesota
"A parent's only as good as their dumbest kid. If one wins a Nobel Prize but the other gets robbed by a hooker, you failed."
By Bears you mean
the players? The players have been complaining about the Soldier Field surface since forever…..So not that all surprising that the are complaining….
If you meant the fans well…..Think most are worried that they could lose players to injury because of the surface…..
Anyways should be interesting…..
I want history to erase his every achievement.....I want him to feel the disgust in the bronco fans eyes when they look on him in shame....
- Jay Cutler on josh mcdaniels firing
by CloudyFuture on Dec 17, 2010 9:20 AM CST up reply actions
Small problem with your hypothesis.
Sir, the Bears own players hate the field (both links pop) about as much as we do.
And if you think the only complaint is Jay’s that I linked, let me drop in a quote from the Sun Times…
Well, that’s December in Chicago, head groundskeeper John Nolan said.
"Beginning of the season there’s no complaints. … It’s Chicago. It’s cold. It rains. It snows. Come out here on Sunday. It’s supposed to be about 40 mph wind and about 20 degrees. I’m sure they’ll have fun with that," Nolan said. "As far as we’re concerned, it’s December and we’re standing on brand new sod. … I don’t want any messages relayed to Mr. Cutler. I just want him to win on Sunday. … It’s not the first time we’ve had player criticism."
(bolded emphasis mine)
So what’s ironic about the Bears complaining about your field when they complain about their own? Maybe they don’t want their heads cracked open like eggs when they’re fighting for a playoff berth. And personally, I’d take playing on soft, crappy grass over what has the potential to be asphalt any day.
by Steven Schweickert on Dec 17, 2010 12:34 PM CST up reply actions
The difference between Soldier Field and TCF
Is that when you fall at Soldier, you fall into a swamp. At TCF, it’s on concrete.
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