Snow adds new twist to field-condition concerns

Workers begin removing the tarp at TCF Bank Stadium before Monday's Bears-Vikings game. (Brian Cassella/Tribune)

By Vaughn McClure

MINNEAPOLIS -- Vikings punter Chris Kluwe said he doesn't regret criticizing the TCF Bank Stadium playing surface after Sunday's walk-through, but Kluwe changed his stance a bit 2 1/2 hours before Monday night's game against the Bears.

"The field is playable right now," Kluwe told the Tribune as he surveyed the turf. "I'm just worried about what it's going to feel like by kickoff."

Kluwe pointed to a section of the turf that had the tarp removed two hours before his entrance.

"Look, see how hard that is? That's what it's going to be like," Kluwe said.

Meanwhile, Brett Favre -- who was upgraded from out to questionable earlier in the day -- threw warmup tosses for about eight minutes and consulted with Vikings trainer Eric Sugarman and offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell before heading back to the locker room.
University of Minnesota officials continue to plow snow from the field and remove the final pieces of tarp. A winter storm was expected to dump 3 to 5 inches on the area.

The field was heated up until 3 p.m. The surface felt soft in spots, but it also was very slick.

Kluwe tweeted Sunday that the field would be "unplayable" and that someone would get a concussion when landing on the hard surface.

"I don't regret anything I said on Twitter," Kluwe said. "Hopefully, no one will get hurt.''

Temperatures were around 20 degrees, not as cold as had been forecast.

Source: http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com/2010/12/snow-job-workers-prep-field-for-bears-vikings.html

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