Flaw in Cowboys' new stadium - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Waterston_Fan · 08-22-2009, 11:01 AM

Uh oh.. let's see if Mike Scifres can kick over it on Dec. 13th!!

HD screen

ARLINGTON, Texas -- The Tennessee Titans felt they exposed a major flaw in Cowboys Stadium during the first football game played in the building when reserve punter A.J. Trapasso hit the gigantic HD screen that hangs over the field.

But after a 30-10 Dallas win, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said he doesn't think it is an issue. The NFL signed off on the 160-foot long, 90-foot high video board, Jones said, and he does not plan to alter it.

After Trapasso's punt with 8:07 on the clock in the third quarter Tennessee coach Jeff Fisher threw his red challenge flag and talked to referee Walt Anderson before fourth down was replayed.

"It's an issue, yeah," said Fisher, who serves as co-chairmen of the NFL's competition committee. "I'm sure the Cowboys or the league will tell you, I shouldn't have to throw a flag out there because [the officiating crew] didn't see the ball hit the scoreboard. Now, it's not necessarily their responsibility. Once a fair catch signal is given, then there are no eyes on the ball anymore. So they don't see it. So something has to get worked out. It can become a problem."

Said Jones after his team's debut in the $1.2 billion stadium: "You don't need to move it. You gotta be trying to do it. The rule is very clear. You just kick it over."

Jones implied that having the video board in play provided an "entertainment value" and that both teams would have to deal with it. But the owner repeatedly said that the normal trajectory of an NFL punt would not bring the video board into play. He could move a Mitsubishi Electric sign that hangs off the bottom edge of the board.

Both Trapasso, an undrafted rookie out of Ohio State, and veteran Craig Hentrich hit the video board in warm-ups and marveled at how engineers, architects and ownership failed to anticipate the issue.

"I hit it probably a dozen times in pregame," Hentrich said. "Probably somewhere around a five-second punt is going to hit it and some of the guys in the league wouldn't be able to punt here if it's not raised, they'd just be non-stop hitting it. I don't know what the people were thinking. I guess they should have tested things out before they put that thing in place. It'll have to be raised."

Jones said a punter needed to kick the ball "straight up and hard" to have any chance of making contact with the board. He didn't understand why anyone would take that approach.

Trapasso said he didn't try to hit the board during the game, but admitted warm-ups were different.

Cowboys punter Mat McBriar never came close to hitting the video board. It was his first time punting at Cowboys Stadium and he said he doesn't think it will be an issue for him.

Trapasso's not in line to be part of the Titans' roster after cut downs. But he's made a mark in just three preseason games, scoring a 40-yard touchdown on fake punt in the Hall of Fame Game on Aug. 9 and qualifying as the first player to put the Cowboys' scoreboard in to play.

He joked that San Diego's Mike Scifres "might put a hole in the bottom of that thing." The Chargers are scheduled to play in Arlington on Dec. 13.

"With the size of that TV, there's not going to be a whole lot of room above it," he said. "I think after a billion dollars and the way you watch people kick, somebody could have figured that math out a little bit."

Paul Kuharsky covers the AFC South and Matt Mosley covers the NFC East for ESPN.com.

Mr. Television · 08-22-2009, 11:40 AM

I saw that last night. I couldn't believe that all those referee's couldn't see that the ball hit that thing.

GARFIELDKOOL · 08-22-2009, 05:20 PM

It is still a nice stadium! Damn, I am jealous! Flaw or not, that giant TV and scoreboard are the things that standout! All I can say is WOW!

Waterston_Fan · 08-22-2009, 07:32 PM

I have to admit, I don't think I'd want to play under a big giant hanging scoreboard.

But we'll see how the season goes and if it does create a problem.

catlover79 · 08-22-2009, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clint Eastwood Fan

I saw that last night. I couldn't believe that all those referee's couldn't see that the ball hit that thing.

OOOOPS.

Marvo301 · 08-22-2009, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waterston_Fan

I have to admit, I don't think I'd want to play under a big giant hanging scoreboard.

But we'll see how the season goes and if it does create a problem.

It kind of gives a whole new meaning to home field advantage doesn't it?

Waterston_Fan · 08-22-2009, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marvo301

It kind of gives a whole new meaning to home field advantage doesn't it?

Maybe but then what if the Cowboys kicker keeps kicking the football into the scoreboard? Then what?

catlover79 · 08-22-2009, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waterston_Fan

Maybe but then what if the Cowboys kicker keeps kicking the football into the scoreboard? Then what?

I'd like to see that, actually.

Big C · 08-22-2009, 08:48 PM

That big scoreboard worries me- I fear that it could fall down.

Mr. Television · 08-22-2009, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waterston_Fan

Maybe but then what if the Cowboys kicker keeps kicking the football into the scoreboard? Then what?

McBriar said he couldn't do it, which is odd since he's one of the best punters in the league.

Schmoopie · 08-23-2009, 03:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big C

That big scoreboard worries me- I fear that it could fall down.

That's what I was thinking. Leave it to Jerry Jones to blow off everyone's fears, though. To him, it's all about the money.

TVFactFan · 08-24-2009, 12:15 AM

Jerry Jones overdoing sh*t again

Wreckless · 08-24-2009, 03:22 AM

Win a playoff game, and get at me Jerry. Until then, your big screen tvs, and failed attempts at putting together complete, good teams, are just not good enough

.

08-22-2009, 11:01 AM	#1
Waterston_Fan Eternal Member Eternal Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 26, 2005 Location: Southern California Posts: 3,195	Flaw in Cowboys' new stadium Uh oh.. let's see if Mike Scifres can kick over it on Dec. 13th!! HD screen ARLINGTON, Texas -- The Tennessee Titans felt they exposed a major flaw in Cowboys Stadium during the first football game played in the building when reserve punter A.J. Trapasso hit the gigantic HD screen that hangs over the field. But after a 30-10 Dallas win, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said he doesn't think it is an issue. The NFL signed off on the 160-foot long, 90-foot high video board, Jones said, and he does not plan to alter it. After Trapasso's punt with 8:07 on the clock in the third quarter Tennessee coach Jeff Fisher threw his red challenge flag and talked to referee Walt Anderson before fourth down was replayed. "It's an issue, yeah," said Fisher, who serves as co-chairmen of the NFL's competition committee. "I'm sure the Cowboys or the league will tell you, I shouldn't have to throw a flag out there because [the officiating crew] didn't see the ball hit the scoreboard. Now, it's not necessarily their responsibility. Once a fair catch signal is given, then there are no eyes on the ball anymore. So they don't see it. So something has to get worked out. It can become a problem." Said Jones after his team's debut in the $1.2 billion stadium: "You don't need to move it. You gotta be trying to do it. The rule is very clear. You just kick it over." Jones implied that having the video board in play provided an "entertainment value" and that both teams would have to deal with it. But the owner repeatedly said that the normal trajectory of an NFL punt would not bring the video board into play. He could move a Mitsubishi Electric sign that hangs off the bottom edge of the board. Both Trapasso, an undrafted rookie out of Ohio State, and veteran Craig Hentrich hit the video board in warm-ups and marveled at how engineers, architects and ownership failed to anticipate the issue. "I hit it probably a dozen times in pregame," Hentrich said. "Probably somewhere around a five-second punt is going to hit it and some of the guys in the league wouldn't be able to punt here if it's not raised, they'd just be non-stop hitting it. I don't know what the people were thinking. I guess they should have tested things out before they put that thing in place. It'll have to be raised." Jones said a punter needed to kick the ball "straight up and hard" to have any chance of making contact with the board. He didn't understand why anyone would take that approach. Trapasso said he didn't try to hit the board during the game, but admitted warm-ups were different. Cowboys punter Mat McBriar never came close to hitting the video board. It was his first time punting at Cowboys Stadium and he said he doesn't think it will be an issue for him. Trapasso's not in line to be part of the Titans' roster after cut downs. But he's made a mark in just three preseason games, scoring a 40-yard touchdown on fake punt in the Hall of Fame Game on Aug. 9 and qualifying as the first player to put the Cowboys' scoreboard in to play. He joked that San Diego's Mike Scifres "might put a hole in the bottom of that thing." The Chargers are scheduled to play in Arlington on Dec. 13. "With the size of that TV, there's not going to be a whole lot of room above it," he said. "I think after a billion dollars and the way you watch people kick, somebody could have figured that math out a little bit." Paul Kuharsky covers the AFC South and Matt Mosley covers the NFC East for ESPN.com.

08-22-2009, 11:40 AM	#2
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,132	I saw that last night. I couldn't believe that all those referee's couldn't see that the ball hit that thing.
	__________________ Sonny

08-22-2009, 05:20 PM	#3
GARFIELDKOOL Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 02, 2004 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 7,204	It is still a nice stadium! Damn, I am jealous! Flaw or not, that giant TV and scoreboard are the things that standout! All I can say is WOW!

08-22-2009, 07:32 PM	#4
Waterston_Fan Eternal Member Eternal Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 26, 2005 Location: Southern California Posts: 3,195	I have to admit, I don't think I'd want to play under a big giant hanging scoreboard. But we'll see how the season goes and if it does create a problem.

08-22-2009, 08:48 PM	#9
Big C I Heart Angie Watson Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 21, 2006 Posts: 3,531	That big scoreboard worries me- I fear that it could fall down.

08-24-2009, 12:15 AM	#12
TVFactFan Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Aug 17, 2002 Posts: 99,137	Jerry Jones overdoing sh*t again

08-24-2009, 03:22 AM	#13
Wreckless Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Nov 04, 2007 Location: Banned Posts: 9,406	Win a playoff game, and get at me Jerry. Until then, your big screen tvs, and failed attempts at putting together complete, good teams, are just not good enough .