Condition of the Turf last night

[Mingo]

Anyone else think - the field wasn't in very good shape? I think the turf gave the extra advantage to the Ravens doing deep against defenders in a man cover - and since the Broncos didn't go deep only the visitors took advantage of the field.

There is no way this field should have been in that shape last night. They control the entire climate underneath that field - heat- water - drainage.

[CEH]

Its' never in great shape. I actually went on the field last year after the Pitts win in OT and it was basically alot of dirt painted green. Suprised me too but I really think it's just impossible to kept it up during the harsh winter conditions

Colordao State has one of the best ag departments in the country right up the road
I think Denver has the best turf agents they can and its just the climate we live in

Not sure why Denver didn't pony up the extra $$$ for a roof.

[Mingo]

As I understand it - the Broncos (or the city?) control the drainage underneath the field and have heaters beneath the field to keep it from freezing - there should have been plenty of sunlight.

[CEH]

As I understand it - the Broncos (or the city?) control the drainage underneath the field and have heaters beneath the field to keep it from freezing - there should have been plenty of sunlight.

I took the stadium tour over the summer thanks to Groupon. They do have a mutli million dollar drainage/heating system from some European company. This is why I got to believe they are doing everything they can to have the best field possible therefore I can only deduce it comes down to climate and mother nature

[Mingo]

I deduce they need to get a new horticulturalist involved.

[LGM]

There's only so much you can do with grass during the coldest months of the year. Under those weather conditions, grass is brittle and doesn't bounce back like it normally would. After a few drives, the grass between the hashes was toast.

[Mingo]

There's only so much you can do with grass during the coldest months of the year. Under those weather conditions, grass is brittle and doesn't bounce back like it normally would. After a few drives, the grass between the hashes was toast.

It is not like your front yard - the grounds keepers control evey inch of turf and drainage - not to mention tempurature. I can assure you that condition of the field was uncesssary and I wouldn't be surprised if the Broncos took steps that it won't happen again next year.

[Broncogreg]

I took the stadium tour over the summer thanks to Groupon. They do have a mutli million dollar drainage/heating system from some European company. This is why I got to believe they are doing everything they can to have the best field possible therefore I can only deduce it comes down to climate and mother nature

Sabotaged by the Euopeeons again. I should have known

[LGM]

It is not like your front yard - the grounds keepers control evey inch of turf and drainage - not to mention tempurature. I can assure you that condition of the field was uncesssary and I wouldn't be surprised if the Broncos took steps that it won't happen again next year.

Umm, I know. I've managed field turf, various mixes, and underground thermal heating systems in Parks when I was a Park Superintendent in Alaska.

I was simply pointing out that the condition of any field grass is brittle in temperatures as low as that, regardless of the heating underground. The heaters prevent the ground from thawing and refreezing, which is hard on the roots (which is also what you want to protect most during the colder winter months.

Not to mention, the condition of the field was much better at the start of the game; as they continued to play (and look at the number of plays on that field that night; it was a very high number), the grass just can't rebound like it would under normal conditions. The heaters only prevent freezing of the turf and roots; they dont generate enough heat to keep the actual blades as pliable as they might otherwise be.

I can assure you that the start of the game the field was in pretty good shape, and after nearly 6 quarters of play and a TON of plays during that time, at that temp, the field had no shot at being preserved.