I find it Ironic the Bears are awaiting a safety report when the Soldier Field surface is probably the most dangerous in the NFL. Someones probably getting a kickback by keeping it grass.


By Dan Pompei, Tribune reporter

If the Bears offense plays faster this year, it won't be because of the playing surface at Soldier Field.

Bears President Ted Phillips recently met with Chicago Park District general superintendent Tim Mitchell about the possibility of converting the field from grass to an artificial surface, but there are no plans to do so this year.

The Park District was interested in changing the surface — despite a busy summer schedule at the stadium that includes five concerts — but the Bears indicated they aren't.

One of the complicating factors is the Bears still are awaiting results of a league study on injuries incurred on infill playing surfaces. They are concerned because preliminary findings have suggested lower leg injuries occur at a higher rate on infill.

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"The Chicago Bears will always put a premium on player safety," Phillips said in a statement to the Tribune. "Each year we will continue to discuss the pros and cons of grass and infill surfaces, and then make a decision."

Money is not an issue. Over time, infill is a cheaper alternative to grass in a northern climate. It is believed Soldier Field could be converted for less than $2 million. A system such as DD Grassmaster, which combines natural grass and artificial fibers, would cost more.

What's more, the Park District likely would bear the cost.

An infill surface, often referred to by brand names such as FieldTurf and AstroPlay, could be installed in less than a month. So while it is conceivable Soldier Field could be resurfaced before the Bears' first home exhibition Aug. 20, it is unlikely because of the preparation and study that would have to precede such an undertaking.

There had been momentum for a change in recent months as the grass surface at Soldier Field has been under criticism from commentators, opposing teams and Bears players. The field had to be re-sodded twice in an 11-week period last season.

In December, the Tribune asked 36 Bears players how they felt about changing the playing surface. Only 12 said they would like to stay with grass. Of the players polled, every wide receiver, defensive back and defensive end — positions where speed is essential — said they would prefer a switch to infill.

In the offseason, the Bears hired Mike Martz to run their offense, and Martz is known to prefer fast playing surfaces that enable ball carriers to make sharp cuts.

The Bears don't want to base their decision solely on Martz's offense, however. If they switch to an artificial surface, they likely will be stuck with it for many years and possibly many offensive coordinators.

Now the focus will shift to making Martz's offense thrive on a field that can be slippery. And the Bears and the Park District could be challenged more than ever to keep the field in optimum condition given the busy summer schedule.

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Field Turf doesn't want the Bears.

Post that story...

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I think you just passed OKC on the funny list!

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That comment makes me want to take a dump in Kid Cairo's shirt pocket...

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I think it's moronic that they don't want it. They are putting in a Martz offense, and at this point, I can't wait for the recievers to start sliding all over the place on that "field" after the weather gets bad.

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Paging Roger Bossard...The Bears should hire the Sodfather from U.S. Cellular Field to get that piece of monkey crap they call a field on the lakefront properly put together ASAP!

I thought he only did baseball and golf. I wonder if he could be as effective with football.

Why is the park district in control? The bears bring in the money, they should have complete control over this issue. The PD only wants turf so they can do all their other shit and not have to re-sod after nickleback leaves a pile of shit on the 50.

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He probably stays away from football and SF because by mid-October grass pretty much stops growing around here.

In May the grass at soldier field is fine.

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B&B discussed getting Roger over to fix the sod at Soldier Field a couple of times during the season last year. The Bears and or the park district didn't want to pay him to fix it. According to their sources, the big issue was drainage. It could be fixed. The cheap bastards didn't want to spend the money to fix the problem.

im pretty sure drainage has been a problem and has been 'fixed' a few times over the last 50 years or whatever.

the real problem is stupid fuckheads dont realize the modern day 'astroturf' is really about a foot of granular rubber, the plastic grass blades are also incredibly realistic- and when its installed properly it is just as soft if not better then real grass. its like walking on marshmellows if you have ever been on it, but i guess since its consistent in its texture the players can play better then normal grass. i would imagine the old astroturf is still faster then this new feild... the old stuff was basically just concrete.

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