For the first time in 35 years the Cardinals are in the playoffs and it looks like they'll be 8-8 when they finally do reach the post season. While they could have made the last two games at least competitive. Minnesota I can live with, after all it was during the "you have got to be kidding me!" weekend. But in New England today they came into a buzzsaw of a blizzard. After not seeing so much as a snowflake for the past 25 years they were forced to play in Foxboro stadium in a driving snow storm. While many will state that its all apart of the advantage of living in a certain place, it is all subject to mother nature and that is all an advantage over the opposing team. Especially when the teams come from the west coast.
There are several ways to even the playing field as it were. Such as forcing all of the teams in the colder climates to have dome stadiums. Climate controlled indoor real turf fields can be easily maintained and would be like playing outside. But I know that none of that will happen. Too many purists think that the game of football should be subject to mother nature. I also agree that there have been some interesting games played in severe weather.
So, for the teams that are in the west or in warmer climates they should also take advantage of their environments. Arizona should schedule more games during the months of September and October at home when there are still triple digits. Have the games in the middle of the afternoon during the hottest parts of the day. Open roof, pipe in more heat and make sure the team has trained in that sort of situation. It makes just as much sense as going 3000 miles to the east just to face something that you can't possible practice for unless you live in the east. Why do you think the Patriots, Giants, Steelers, etc. are so tough in December and January? In at least 5 games on Dec. 21st the temperature was well below freezing.
While the teams in the east and to the north are not making exceptions to the other teams that they are playing, Arizona spends months trying to create a playing field that will control the elements and allow both teams an equal shot. So, in hopes of shedding some light on an overlooked subject, I hope that the Cardinals learn something from these losses. I hope they remember just how when these teams could have let up and put in the second and third string players, they kept their proverbial foot on the gas and ran up the score relentlessly. Schedule the games in the desert, in the middle of the day. Channel more heat on the visitor side. And just when the opposing team has become dehydrated, that is when you run up the score to 50+.
Play to your strengths as much as you can. Just like today when all the Patriots had to do was run the ball 40+ times and stack the box because they know that you can't throw the ball like you're accustomed to. They are not going to apologize for it. They are going to take that natural advantage and the win. Play their game. Use what God has given you in this heat advantage. Demoralize the other teams and make them cringe at the fact that they even have to play a preseason game in "The Valley of the Sun".
Once again, thanks for reading this far. I was so ticked off when I saw the golden boys of the NFL get yet another concession and help from the elements as well as the referees. Next week will be Christmas and I'm planning on writing on the Suns, why we should ALWAYS say Merry Christmas and many others. Have a very merry Christmas and here's to the post-season for the Cards!
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