Football (american football to those across the pond!)

[Grimward]

Yeah, I think it will be a while before we see a Super Bowl held in Cincinnati....

Nothing against Cincy, of course, but the NFL does look for the money first, glamor second, feasibility third, with equity coming in somewhere around last....

[Ursa major]

Surely equity should come last equal (though I have no idea with what).

[Parson]

I was in Detroit the first time the Super Bowl was held at the Silver Dome. The general consensus of those who came to the Super Bowl (who by the by are not largely fans of one team or the other but people who go to "events") felt that being in Detroit in the winter took the edge off a good time.

After seeing what went on, I am not at all enamored of the idea of going to one. It struck me as a week long drunk. One of the "events" was a pub crawl --- the first time I'd ever heard that term. From the pictures in the paper and on TV it looked like some of them had to "crawl" back to their rooms.

At least if you are in the "warm" weather sites there would be some pleasurable outdoor things to do.

[Ursa major]

Originally Posted by Parson

From the pictures in the paper and on TV it looked like some of them had to "crawl" back to their rooms.

A case of the spirit being willing but the flesh being weak, perhaps.

Originally Posted by Parson

At least if you are in the "warm" weather sites there would be some pleasurable outdoor things to do.

I can't help thinking that those who went on the pub crawl in Detroit would be likely to do so anywhere there were pubs (or bars), whatever the weather or the other attractions on offer.

[Parson]

Originally Posted by Ursa major

A case of the spirit being willing but the flesh being weak, perhaps.

Ursa, Ursa, you need to restrain yourself. The verse in question though is one that is almost always quoted out of context. It is the second half of this verse: “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” Matt. 26:41 (NIV) Taken in context the verse is admonishing believers that they should pray that they don't fall into temptation, not as a reason why they had to give in to temptation.

I can't help thinking that those who went on the pub crawl in Detroit would be likely to do so anywhere there were pubs (or bars), whatever the weather or the other attractions on offer.

Too true!! My thinking was than at least someone like myself whose alcohol consumption amounts to a glass of wine or two a year, would have something to do.

[J-Sun]

Given that my team has a retractable dome, I think I count as unbiased on that score. It's indoor and outdoor. But I'm an old-fashioned Madden kind of guy - grass stains and mud and blood and snow and - *that's football*!! I love it when the elements are part of the game. I agree with Grim that it's still about the teams - they're both in it and a truly great team should be able to show their abilities and win in all conditions. There's something very antiseptic and boring about playing indoors. Seeing snow piling up on the field just makes me happy. It's like being a kid - you play outdoors and it's fun.

[Culhwch]

Oh, I've got nothing against games in adverse conditions. So long as my team is not involved, of couse...

[jojajihisc]

The thing is the Super Bowl is the one game where it really isn't about the two teams. It's about drinking, eating, watching commercials, half time shows with the potential of scandal etc. Sure, actual NFL fans like ourselves are more interested in the game even though it usually is a let down, but the Big Game gets viewers for so many other reasons (that Sunday is treated as a de facto national holiday anymore). We get plenty of regular season games in the snow and rain and they're interesting as novelties but not as particularly aesthetically pleasing games. If more games were 10-7 or 9-6 type, defensive struggles, which the bad weather games tend to be, I'd be a lot less interested in the sport.

[Parson]

As an old football coach (an eon ago), I've been in some very miserable weather games. I don't think they do anything for the sport. But they do even the playing field. An off turf will always hurt the team with the most skill players the most. If you have to tackle Barry Sanders, you want to hope he's running in mud or on wet turf.

So.... if you want a Super Bowl where the better team has a better than average chance of not winning, play outdoors in miserable weather.

[Culhwch]

Well, some movement involving both my Saints and Grim's 'Skins overnight, and it's the trade we'd talked about earlier - Jamaal Brown to Washington for a third- or fourth-round pick, depending on how McNabb plays (it's complicated, but it hinges on what Washington have to send to Philly...). There's some lower round picks in the mix as well depending on level of play from Brown.

On the surface, it looks like we got dudded. This is a one-time Pro Bowl selection, a first-round talent, a gifted left tackle who has done well protecting the blindside of arguably the game's best QB for a good couple of years. I'd have expected a lot more in return. Leads me to believe, coming off a year on the sidelines, that the Saints either think or know that Brown's still a bit gimpy, and were happy to get anything for him while they still could. He was coming off contract at the end of this year anyway. From the other side of the fence, it's a pretty good deal for the 'Skins. Brown is still relatively young - if he comes back strong, he's a steal. If he doesn't, he didn't cost much.

What are your thoughts, Grim?

[Grimward]

I'd agree with you, Cul, except for the fact that the Skins basically get one year (if he recovers fully and doesn't get hurt again), and then have to sign him again. If he plays well (and protects McNabb), maybe it's worth it. For this season, it's worth the potential. Afterwards, hard to say.....

Saints come away from it pretty well, as Bushrod apparently was a stalwart for you last year....essentially, you're getting a 3rd/4th round pick for someone who'd been replaced as a starter and who has questions...

Then again, if he returns to Pro Bowl capacity and helps McNabb have a great year, I'm not going to miss that 3rd rounder too much....

[Culhwch]

Brees has such a quick read and release he makes his line look good. There's no doubt Nicks and Evans are the best guard tandem in the league, but Bushrod and Stinchcomb are fairly middle-of-the-pack tackles. Bushrod looked shaky against the better ends, and we had to swing extra help his way on more than one occasion, but hopefully he's better for the year's experience and we can leave him on a island a lot more this year. Word out of camp was Brown was going to have a job winning the starting spot back anyways.

I do like Brown, and I hope he does come back strong for you guys. I'll only be slightly narky if we've given away the dominant left tackle of the next decade for a third rounder... But there's no doubt your line and consequently QB play should be much improved this year.

[Grimward]

And I'm hearing that the Skins will actually move him to the Right Tackle spot and let Trent Williams sink or swim at Left. Did Brown play any Right Tackle for the Saints?

[Culhwch]

Not that I know of. Interesting decision. I can see both sides of the argument, but if I'm Donovan McNabb, I'd prefer the veteran on my left...

[Grimward]

Yeah, I think I'd lean that way too, Cul. Still, if there's one thing Shanahan knows, it's offensive lineman.....