Whatever. I guess some of the fans will be happy, and the field will look better. I think grass causes fewer injuries, but some fans will never believe that. If having field turf puts an end to fans whining, then it will be worth it.
It's not about the grass, it's about the tray system. I'm sure that if they could figure out how to have a solid grass field with no seams, the fans would overwhelmingly prefer that as well.
I don't know. Perhaps it just adds to the fun when they have grass stuck on their helmets etc.... http://youtu.be/OTRmyXX6ipU?t=3m34s
Ha-larious! Honestly, my premise has always been that if the players or coaches wanted it changed... it would have been changed a long time ago. Most of the long-time Texans were indifferent about it, seems like the fans cared more about it than the people actually playing on it.... but unlike the early seasons, there seemed to be a lot less panels/fields in rotation which did pose a problem to the appearance/quality of the grass as the season went on (in addition to them still playing some college and HS games on the grass field, despite them buying field-turf specifically to avoid that problem). Additionally, there is the super bowl factor... the NFL probably wanted a permanent solution in place well in advance of the game in 2017.
Pretty sure that is next.... I can't imagine the NFL will be ok with it just sitting there, abandoned, for its marquee event.
Exactly this. It was never grass vs turf, it was dangerous system vs turf. If we could have a legitimate natural grass field I think everyone would love that.
I was thinking the same thing myself. Fieldturf gives NRG the opportunity to host more games more often. Especially with all the different uses for the stadium. I'm all for the change.
I had no idea Astroturf was a company (that made Astroturf). I always thought it was just the name of the product. The company still exists and is still making Astroturf (differently of course). It's the "official synthetic turf of Major League Baseball". http://www.astroturf.com/
thank god. the old field was an atrocity. BOB definitely drove this change. This only solidifies my belief that BOB is the right man for the job.
AstroTurf is technically nothing more than a name. They're on the third or 4th different owner after multiple bankruptcies (Monsanto being the first and creator. It was originally called Chemgrass). The current owner is one of the wealthiest men in the country that no one knows about (and the largest landowner in Georgia). I've been hunting with his son, who runs the sports side of their business (cool story, bro). They're huge in the carpet and turf industry. Once my now former company decided to shut our plant in Austin down, we had our turf made by the same plant that makes AstroTurf. The more you know...
Me too. I'm not a fan of field turf. Seems like Arian always has several slips a game when he makes cuts on field turf. The one positive will be that the field will be consistent.
I have played soccer on field turf. I don't like it for those purposes but it is definitely softer than AstroTurf. It is a very fast surface as well so that could be a reason for increased injuries. But, definitely better than the tray system so I am sure the players will approve.
Half the league has Field Turf now so obviously it's a effective and safe. Not only that doesn't but the Texans bubble has to have Field Turf as well so they're used to practicing on it. Much better than being the only team to play on a checker board field. Plus it's going to look really great in person and on TV!
