PFT: New Cowboys Stadium controversy

[WoodysGirl]

Posted by Michael David Smith on October 25, 2009 6:32 PM ET

It turns out that punts hitting the video board aren't the only controversy at the new Cowboys Stadium.

Atlanta Falcons coach Mike Smith is complaining during today's game at Dallas that the sun is shining through the end zone windows and directly into his players' eyes, affecting their play.

This isn't the first time the sun has been mentioned as a factor at Cowboys Stadium; the sun has been a factor when the Cowboys had afternoon practices at the stadium and when they had afternoon warm-ups before night games.

But according to Troy Aikman, who's calling today's Falcons-Cowboys game for Fox, a curtain is supposed to be drawn to prevent sunlight from affecting the players. For some reason, that curtain remained open.

And so even if no punts hit the video board, there's another potential issue to make visitors at Cowboys Stadium complain. We'll see what Smith says after today's game, which the Falcons are trailing 27-14 with 10 minutes to play in the fourth quarter.

 

[LeonDixson]

Posted by Michael David Smith on October 25, 2009 6:32 PM ET

It turns out that punts hitting the video board aren't the only controversy at the new Cowboys Stadium.

Atlanta Falcons coach Mike Smith is complaining during today's game at Dallas that the sun is shining through the end zone windows and directly into his players' eyes, affecting their play.

This isn't the first time the sun has been mentioned as a factor at Cowboys Stadium; the sun has been a factor when the Cowboys had afternoon practices at the stadium and when they had afternoon warm-ups before night games.

But according to Troy Aikman, who's calling today's Falcons-Cowboys game for Fox, a curtain is supposed to be drawn to prevent sunlight from affecting the players. For some reason, that curtain remained open.

And so even if no punts hit the video board, there's another potential issue to make visitors at Cowboys Stadium complain. We'll see what Smith says after today's game, which the Falcons are trailing 27-14 with 10 minutes to play in the fourth quarter.

What the hell???? Are you going to tell me the sun is never a factor in all the outdoor stadiums around the league??

Suck it up, Smith

 

[JD_KaPow]

Ok, that's hilarious. He hears Aikman make a comment about the windows, and immediately posts it as if he's "reporting" on a real "controversy".

 

[Don Corleone]

:laugh2: Another butt hurt coach of an opposing team that has a beef with the stadium. The curse of Jerry may be on Smith now, like Fisher. The Falcons may not win another game this year.

 

[67CowboysFan]

Another butt hurt coach of an opposing team that has a beef with the stadium. The curse of Jerry may be on Smith now, like Fisher. The Falcons may not win another game this year.

 

[speedkilz88]

Didn't Troy end up saying that the Cowboys have to decide about putting the curtains up or not at halftime?

 

[theebs]

Mike smith spent at least 30 minutes talking to guys in suits and complaining to the officials during each timeout whining about this.

He was having a fit.

 

[NewJCowboy]

Here we go...

New Cowboys Stadium controversy
Posted by Michael David Smith on October 25, 2009 6:32 PM ET
It turns out that punts hitting the video board aren't the only controversy at the new Cowboys Stadium.

Atlanta Falcons coach Mike Smith is complaining during today's game at Dallas that the sun is shining through the end zone windows and directly into his players' eyes, affecting their play.

This isn't the first time the sun has been mentioned as a factor at Cowboys Stadium; the sun has been a factor when the Cowboys had afternoon practices at the stadium and when they had afternoon warm-ups before night games.

But according to Troy Aikman, who's calling today's Falcons-Cowboys game for Fox, a curtain is supposed to be drawn to prevent sunlight from affecting the players. For some reason, that curtain remained open.

And so even if no punts hit the video board, there's another potential issue to make visitors at Cowboys Stadium complain. We'll see what Smith says after today's game, which the Falcons are trailing 27-14 with 10 minutes to play in the fourth quarter.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2009/10/25/new-cowboys-stadium-controversy/

 

[twentytwo]

Hahahaha. I was waiting for this. This is ridiculous.

 

[Hypnotoad]

Florio is Wrong. Aikman said Dallas has the option to bring the curtain down. If we wanted we could, but only at the start of the halfs.

Smith is a whiny prima donna. He picked that side of the field to defend and ended up making a dumb coaching mistake.

 

[StylisticS]

Give Smith some whine with his cheese. I would say the sun in Texas Stadium was just as annoying as this was one and it didn't look that light in there.

 

[dest]

Calling "getting sun in your eyes" a controversy, or even a potential controversy is absolutely idiotic.

 

[Doomsday]

It is funny since our last TD drive was right into that sun.

Almost as funny as the video screen contraversary, since no one has hit it during the regular season.

 

[xWraithx]

have these stupid fools never played football in the sun before? is that seriously a new concept to them?

absolutely laughable

 

[Boyzmamacita]

Texas Stadium's sun situation was much worse. I love that opposing teams complain about our stadium. It adds an intimidation factor. The giant videoboard in the sky swatting down punts and the big bad sun.

 

[viman96]

Troy also said the decision was made at half time to not close the curtains which means they were checking the conditions. He also said the sun just happen to come out when when they had the ball.

FWIW the Falcons won the coin toss and new which way the sun entered the stadium so they did not have to receive the opening kickoff.

 

[Biggems]

All this whining over nothing.

Stadium advantages include :

the Meadowlands, cause the crew opens the tunnel for more wind when visiting teams are kicking.

the old Vet, with its horrible turf conditions and the criminals in the stands pelting visiting teams with battery-filled snowballs.


Complaining about the new Cowboys Stadium, which actually comes across as a huge fit of jealousy, is like complaining about Mile High and the altitude.

 

[utrunner07]

lol, this used to be a big joke for some pick up basketball games. One team would lose and say well the sun was in our eyes, or the wind dried my eyes out...

never thought I would actually see an NFL coach try to use it as an actual exuse. I hope he reads it in the paper tomorow and realizes how pathetic it sounds.

 

[bbgun]

Frankly, I thought the curtain would only be used for non-football events. Why go with glass if you're just gonna cover it up on sunny days? Ridiculous.

 

[peplaw06]

We tricked them. They showed up and saw the roof closed and assumed the sun wouldn't be a factor. My guess is if the roof had been opened, Mike Smith would be *****ing about his punt returners having to look up into the sun in the first half.

But piggybacking on biggems post, I think we should open the glass doors when they have the ball and close em when we have it. Let the wind screw up their passes and field goals.