Steelers preparing for snow

[lamberts-lost-tooth]

Steelers preparing for snow
By John Harris
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Saturday, December 1, 2007


Sunday night's forecast for the Steelers-Cincinnati Bengals clash at Heinz Field?
Wet, but perhaps not so wild.

With the National Weather Service forecasting rain turning to snow, the condition of the playing field again becomes the big story for the Steelers' nationally televised game against the Bengals.

Since Monday night's debacle, when rain turned a newly resodded Heinz Field into mush, the Steelers have turned their attention to fixing the problem.

Steelers spokesman Dave Lockett said Friday the team spent the week drying out the waterlogged field.
"We're continuing our preparations to ensure the field is in the best possible condition for Sunday,'' Lockett said.

Lockett said the new field that was laid over the existing one after the South Florida-Pitt game Saturday wasn't replaced following the Monday night contest. He added workers may have moved some of the sod around, but no new strips of turf were added to the field.

The National Football League is working with the Steelers to help prepare Heinz Field for the second nationally televised game in seven days.

Earlier this week, team president Art Rooney II said the problem occurred when heavy rain overwhelmed tarps covering the field.

The National Weather Service recorded 1.31 inches of rain at Pittsburgh International Airport on Monday.

Leaky seams in the tarp caused rain to pool in areas around the goal line, midfield and the 25-yard line, resulting in players on both teams slogging through water and mud.

Extra tarps were used to cover areas where the leaks occured.

"I think by Sunday (the field) will be in great shape," Rooney said.

Bengals coach Marvin Lewis altered his practice schedule this week to prepare for playing at Heinz Field.

Instead of practicing the last two days on FieldTurf at Paul Brown Stadium, the Bengals moved to their practice facility, which has a grass field.

"You definitely have to put in longer cleats. You saw that stuff on Monday night," Bengals running back Rudi Johnson said. "We'll see. It's cool. It'll be fun. I won't be worried about the field at all."

Steelers guard Alan Faneca is prepared for anything.

When told the weather for Sunday night could include rain and snow, Faneca smiled.

"Bring on the slop," he said.

[stillers4me]

"Bring on the slop," he said.

Neverfear, Alan.......the Bungles are on their way.

Yessir....we've had some mighty fine games in the snow.........

[HometownGal]

If we do get snow in the Burgh on Sunday night, it won't be much, so it shouldn't affect the game all that much. It's the forecast of rain off and on during the day and evening with winds 20-30 mph that concerns me more.

Sunday: Cloudy with periods of light rain. High 48F. Winds SSE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 80%.
Sunday night: Windy with periods of rain. Low around 35F. Winds SW at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of rain 90%.

[TackleMeBen]

is mother nature not a steeler fan??? first the ravens game it rains, then the fins game it rains... and now for the bengals its going to rain??? i guess she has it in for us..lol...

[Lok1GT]

She's making it harder for us so we can prepare to finally put a stop to the Patsies.

[Big D]

If the weather is crap come sunday I guarantee victory over the bungles. Reason being when the weather is a factor typically it's the battle of defenses. And the bengals d doesnt hold a candle to ours

[jjpro11]

i might have to bench ben in favor of jason campbell. i hate making these choices.

[Edman]

Advantage: Steelers.

This team has dealt with bad weather conditions several times this year. I say bring on the snow.

[19ward86]

i think willie needs to have a 175 yardage or better night on sunday, he hasnt had any big games this year really. he also needs some TD's. how does he go from 16 all the way down to 2. who is he tiki barber? haha

[The Duke]

Willie plus Snow plus Bengals D= amazing game!