Both teams had to deal with the condition of the field, but both teams were impacted differently because of their strengths.
The Eagles strength, and a key to their success IMO, was their 4 man pressure. Their success with 4 man pressure is well documented. Poor field conditions neutralized that important advantage.
I do believe that the NFL should provide explanations to reasonable questions:
1. Why was the field in such poor condition and who is responsible for the field condition?
Materials and time to get it right isn’t a factor in today’s world. A small private HS sports “factory” in Florida (IMG) spends money to re-sod their fields in a short period of time. Their fields are always in pristine condition, and yet they don’t have nearly the budget, expertise or connections like the NFL. The SB was in a dry climate, their was a year to prepare along with over a month since the Cardinals played on the field, and so how did they come to the conclusion that this was the best they could do?
2. Why was the poor field conditions not talked about prior to the game? With so much media coverage, should that be communicated to the public as a key factor to how the game will be played by both teams? I believe serious gamblers would tell you it’s a factor in their decision making… so why the secrecy?
If NFL doesn’t want “conspiracy theories” floating around (and it is floating around all the time) then they should be forth right about these unacceptable conditions prior to the game.
And at the very least, they should explain to the caring fans as to why they allowed a substandard field.
Safety for the players is a whole other discussion.
The Eagles strength, and a key to their success IMO, was their 4 man pressure. Their success with 4 man pressure is well documented. Poor field conditions neutralized that important advantage.
I do believe that the NFL should provide explanations to reasonable questions:
1. Why was the field in such poor condition and who is responsible for the field condition?
Materials and time to get it right isn’t a factor in today’s world. A small private HS sports “factory” in Florida (IMG) spends money to re-sod their fields in a short period of time. Their fields are always in pristine condition, and yet they don’t have nearly the budget, expertise or connections like the NFL. The SB was in a dry climate, their was a year to prepare along with over a month since the Cardinals played on the field, and so how did they come to the conclusion that this was the best they could do?
2. Why was the poor field conditions not talked about prior to the game? With so much media coverage, should that be communicated to the public as a key factor to how the game will be played by both teams? I believe serious gamblers would tell you it’s a factor in their decision making… so why the secrecy?
If NFL doesn’t want “conspiracy theories” floating around (and it is floating around all the time) then they should be forth right about these unacceptable conditions prior to the game.
And at the very least, they should explain to the caring fans as to why they allowed a substandard field.
Safety for the players is a whole other discussion.
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