Pats-Jets pregame
Dec 16th, 2007 by Bill Burt
I just arrived at Gillette Stadium and a few things stick out:
1. Traffic was bad, but not as bad as I thought it would be.
The reason is the farther south, the less snow. We (Hector Longo and myself) left the Merrimack Valley about 8:45 a.m. and pulled into the lot just after 11 a.m. The worst part was in the Valley and following the plows. It slowed the trip down by at least 30 minutes.
Once we got on Route 128 (or 95), it seemed as if 75 percent of the people on the road were headed to Foxboro. The Patriots stickers gave away most people.
2. The field is clear.
As I am writing the tarp on the field is being cleared and removed. One portion of the five tarps (cover about 25 yards per tarp) has been taken away near the open end of the stadium and several Jets are running and stretching as we speak. With only rain expected the field you see on TV should be clear.
3. Seats are full of snow.
Stadium workers are diligently trying to remove snow from aisles of the lower section behind the Jets bench. It also appears that the club seat areas behind both benches have been somewhat cleared. The rest of the stadium is loaded with snow. So expect snowballs and snow to be tossed high in the air.
4. Tail-gaters are out in force.
There are portable, square tents (or canopies) all over the lots near the stadium. It appears several thousand fans arrived right when the lots opened at 8 a.m. The stadium was just opened a few minutes ago and they are just beginning to come in.
5. Passing will be an option.
From looking at the field and the lack of snow right now, it appears the Patriots game plan of throwing whenever they want to continue. It is not even close to as windy as it was in Baltimore.
I will check again just before the opening kick.
If you have any questions get them in quick.
