Cramping issues last two RCA appearances

[BrianAZ]

Just wondering if anyone else noticed the problems the Pats have had their
last two appearances at the RCA Dome, relating to cramps.

It became an issue late in the 2003 regular season game, and was a MAJOR
issue in the championship game in January.

It appears it can get very hot in the dome.

To my knowledge these issues have never presented themselves anywhere else.

Just wondering what everyone attributes this to, and if there's anything New England can do this time around to ensure it does not become an issue.

 

[ALP]

Just wondering if anyone else noticed the problems the Pats have had their
last two appearances at the RCA Dome, relating to cramps.

It became an issue late in the 2003 regular season game, and was a MAJOR
issue in the championship game in January.

It appears it can get very hot in the dome.

To my knowledge these issues have never presented themselves anywhere else.

Just wondering what everyone attributes this to, and if there's anything New England can do this time around to ensure it does not become an issue.

follow the colts example...of whinning to the league about questionable procedures taking place at opposing stadiums...

 

[chris_in_sunnyvale]

Just wondering if anyone else noticed the problems the Pats have had their
last two appearances at the RCA Dome, relating to cramps.

It became an issue late in the 2003 regular season game, and was a MAJOR
issue in the championship game in January.

It appears it can get very hot in the dome.

To my knowledge these issues have never presented themselves anywhere else.

Just wondering what everyone attributes this to, and if there's anything New England can do this time around to ensure it does not become an issue.

I remember hearing how Rodney Harrison spent the entire week before Super Bowl 39 reminding his teammates to stay hydrated all week. I think he was speaking from experience in the prior Super Bowl when it got really hot in Houston and the D fell apart in the 4th quarter. In that Eagles game, Todd Pinkston cramped up and missed the 2nd half. McNabb looked like he was going to pass out on that "hurry up" offense he ran in the 4th quarter. I don't remember the Pats suffering from any cramping issues that game.

If drinking water all week greatly helps like Harrison believes, then I hope they're doing it this week because I expect Indy to heat up again.

Regards,
Chris

 

[Pujo]

Like Belichick said, both teams have to play in the same stadium.

 

[letekro]

Just wondering if anyone else noticed the problems the Pats have had their
last two appearances at the RCA Dome, relating to cramps.

It became an issue late in the 2003 regular season game, and was a MAJOR
issue in the championship game in January.

It appears it can get very hot in the dome.

To my knowledge these issues have never presented themselves anywhere else.

Just wondering what everyone attributes this to, and if there's anything New England can do this time around to ensure it does not become an issue.

My friend used to wrestle in college, and he would tire out and get cramps during really big matches. I think when the body is in a heightened state, it is more likely to fatigue and cramp. Not because of anything unusual going on during the game, but because the players have worked themselves into a frenzy before the game. In short, "butterflies" can really wear people out. I think we saw this in the Carolina Super Bowl, where the teams were so dominant on defense in the first half, and so clearly out of gas in the second. I think this is more likely to happen in huge games.

 

[He Ban Me]

You're gonna have to get the cool zones out, like Indy has on their sideline

Wait, WHAT?? Indy DIDN'T use the cool zones??? Well, how did THEY survive, but the opponent didn't??? Odd.

 

[Bobs My Uncle]

You're gonna have to get the cool zones out, like Indy has on their sideline.

Actually, that would be awesome if BB ordered in some of them cool misting machines for this game.

What a hilarious storyline that would be.

 

[He Ban Me]

Actually, that would be awesome if BB ordered in some of them cool misting machines for this game.

What a hilarious storyline that would be.

The Polian would never let it happen, nice try though

 

[Pujo]

The Polian would never let it happen, nice try though

Polian is easily distracted by a cheeseburger.

 

[Patsfanin Philly]

Maybe they ought to consider pickle juice ( for the salt) as the Eagles did a few years back against Dallas in 109 degree weather......

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/inside_game/news/2000/09/13/take_pickle/

 

[CTPatsFan]

Just wondering what everyone attributes this to, and if there's anything New England can do this time around to ensure it does not become an issue.

Fluid, fluid and more fluid.

 

[CTPatsFan]

The Polian would never let it happen, nice try though

Wouldn't naPolian expect heaters for the bench this coming January?

 

[PatriotsReign]

The Polian would never let it happen, nice try though

Teams are allowed to use the misting machines in any stadium. They use them early in the season in Miami, Tampa & Jacksonville. Of course the Patriots could use them for this game.

Polian has no say in the matter.

 

[mcbee]

You need salt and electrolytes, not just fluid.

I wonder if they can take somethink like Cytomax, it's kind of like Gatorade, but better. Has lactic acid buffers, salt, potassium, sugars...keeps you going all day if your cycling or running.

 

[Pujo]

You need salt and electrolytes, not just fluid.

I wonder if they can take somethink like Cytomax, it's kind of like Gatorade, but better. Has lactic acid buffers, salt, potassium, sugars...keeps you going all day if your cycling or running.

I'm sure as long as they keep it in a bottle with a Gatorade logo, they can drink anything (anything not banned as a controled substance, at least). God forbid someone the camera catches sight of a Cytomax label, though, that would be like Belichick wearing a Nike hoodie.

 

[He Ban Me]

Teams are allowed to use the misting machines in any stadium. They use them early in the season in Miami, Tampa & Jacksonville. Of course the Patriots could use them for this game.

Polian has no say in the matter.

This is untrue. The dome is not even equipped to handle such machinery. Plus, The Polian could easily call an emergency competition committee meeting, and pass legislation to give him eminent domain powers, giving him control of both sidelines.

 

[Stokes]

I remember hearing that the Pats had a flu bug going around during the AFCC game last year, and that was the reason they wore down like they did. It would make sense, I remember Vrabel couldn't even move in the 4th quarter. Heat shouldn't be a factor, Indy has to play in the same conditions.

 

[Pujo]

This is untrue. The dome is not even equipped to handle such machinery.

You mean they don't have electricity? Or maybe they don't have a water hookup at the stadium? Stop making crap up, Lots of teams use misting machines for hot-weather games and heated benches for cold-weather games.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

I remember hearing how Rodney Harrison spent the entire week before Super Bowl 39 reminding his teammates to stay hydrated all week. I think he was speaking from experience in the prior Super Bowl when it got really hot in Houston and the D fell apart in the 4th quarter. In that Eagles game, Todd Pinkston cramped up and missed the 2nd half. McNabb looked like he was going to pass out on that "hurry up" offense he ran in the 4th quarter. I don't remember the Pats suffering from any cramping issues that game.

If drinking water all week greatly helps like Harrison believes, then I hope they're doing it this week because I expect Indy to heat up again.

Regards,
Chris

Yah but with all the old guys on D like Harrison and Seau the water will exacerbate emerging prostrate (sic) problems and they'll be taking plays off to go whizz. That clever bastid Polian!

 

[MrBigglesWorth]

you don't think BB as cranked up the heat in the bubble??