Gästebereich » ls; the two teams split t

PHOENIX - The Super Bowl location in sunny Arizona will present a dilemma for league officials as they grapple with a question faced by many pro sports teams in an era of retractable roofs: whether to play the game with the stadium open or closed.At this point, the NFL says it plans to keep the retractable roof open at University of Phoenix Stadium for the Feb. 1 game between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots, but the plan can change as the league gets a better read on the weather forecast for game night. If there is a sign of inclement weather, the roof will be shut.The fact that the question is even up for debate may seem strange given the location. The game will be played in a place where tens of thousands of visitors flock each winter for the sole purpose of basking in the warm sun, and last years Super Bowl took place in New Jersey with the temperature around 40 degrees at kickoff.But the occupants of the stadium and the other three NFL teams with retractable roof stadiums actually play many more games indoors than with the roof open, even if their counterparts in cold-weather cities like Buffalo, Green Bay and Chicago get by in open-air facilities.The Cardinals did not play a single game with the roof open this season, despite spectacular weather for some late-season games. The Dallas Cowboys opened their roof only once in the 2014 season while playing only about a third of their games outside since opening the $1.2 billion building in 2009. The Indianapolis Colts have opened their roof at a similar rate as the Cowboys, while the Houston Texans have opened their roof for about 40 per cent of the games dating back to their founding in 2002.Since the Cardinals stadium was built in 2006, the team has played 22 games with the roof open and 71 with it closed.The need for retractable roofs has played a role in recent public debates over stadium projects, especially those relying on scarce public money. A retractable roof typically adds $25 million to $50 million to a domed stadium project, and it typically costs a few thousand dollars to open and close the structures each time, said Mark Waggoner, a structural engineer who has had a hand in several pro sports stadiums.In Minnesota, lawmakers balked at bids to have the public kick in toward a retractable roof on a $1 billion Vikings stadium being built in downtown Minneapolis, particularly given the cold climate. Team owners decided against paying for it themselves and settled for a fixed roof and bank of glass windows on the side that will slide open to let fresh air in.A $1.4 billion stadium being built by the Falcons to replace the 23-year-old Georgia Dome has a retractable roof, but the team is picking up most of the cost for the project. As a result, there hasnt been widespread vocal opposition over the new stadium aside from grumbling from fans over personal seat licenses that are running up to $45,000.Is it necessary to have a retractable roof for football? No. For all the needs of the state? No, said Republican Sen. Julie Rosen, who steered the Vikings legislation through in 2011. To me, its dollars and cents.The roof dilemma for the Arizona stadium is complicated by the vast swings in weather the Phoenix area sees over the course of the football season. For the preseason and first month of the season, temperatures are in the unbearable range of 100 to 110 degrees, making it an easy call to close the roof. By seasons end, the temperature can dip into the 50s. In the middle of the season, the temperature is fabulous but fans on one side of the arena complain that the setting sun is too bright.For a quarter or more of the game youre staring right in to the sun. And (fans) have frankly made us aware loud and clear that thats not an optimal experience for them, said Mark Dalton, vice-president of media relations for the Cardinals.The Super Bowl host stadium has not only a retractable roof but a movable field that is the only one of its kind in the U.S. The field slides inside and outside with an intricate set of rails, motors and wheels. The natural grass field is frequently voted by players around the league as their favourite playing surface, Dalton said. The field remains outside about 350 days a year and is wheeled indoors for games, Dalton said.For the Super Bowl, the teams on the field arent the only ones affected by the roof decision. The halftime show relies on elaborate rigging and lighting that can be adversely affected by gusts of wind with the roof open, Waggoner said. For this years Super Bowl, NFL vice-president of football communications Michael Signora said the league is planning a show that can be executed with a closed or open roof and will be prepared either way.As for the fan experience, many believe the closed roof makes it louder inside and creates a powerful home-field advantage that was on full display this season when the Cardinals went 7-1 at home. The Cardinals are 12-10 at home with the roof open since the stadium opened in 2006.To the Cardinals, another stat is more telling. The team has sold out every game at University of Phoenix Stadium since it opened. In the 18 years it occupied the outdoor Sun Devil Stadium at Arizona State University, it sold out all of 12 games. The stifling heat and uncomfortable bleacher seating were partly to blame, but the team was also one of the worst in the league during that period.___Follow Josh Hoffner on Twitter: http://twitter.com/JoshHoffner Rasmus Ristolainen Jersey . -- Desperate to stop Tom Bradys latest comeback bid, the Miami Dolphins sought help from a reserve safety making his NFL debut after being signed Tuesday off the San Francisco 49ers practice squad. Carter Hutton Jersey . -- The Val-dOr Foreurs made it to the Memorial Cup semifinal thanks to their workhorse goaltender and their ability to hang around like a bad cold. http://www.authenticsabrespro.com/Johan-larsson-sabres-jersey/ . LOUIS -- The St. Ryan Miller Jersey .Brazil midfielder Ricardo Goulart scored the winner in the 50th minute to give the defending champion a four-point advantage in the standings over second-place Sao Paulo, which beat rival Palmeiras 2-0. Rick Martin Jersey . -- Jesse Lussier scored 8:24 into overtime as the Halifax Mooseheads erased a four-goal deficit to beat the host Val-dOr Foreurs 6-5 on Tuesday in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League playoff action. KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Kansas coach Bill Self was chatting this week with someone who brought up the possibility that some unfortunate team with a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament might have to play its second game against Oklahoma State, which was once considered a Final Four contender. "I said, Just think if that happens in your conference tournament," Self responded. After winning their 10th straight regular-season title, the Jayhawks earned the top seed when the Big 12 tournament begins Wednesday night at the Sprint Center. But the reward is a first-round bye and a potential matchup with the eighth-seeded Cowboys in Thursdays quarterfinals; the two teams split their two meetings this year. Oklahoma State plays No. 9 seed Texas Tech in the first game Wednesday night. Seventh-seeded Baylor takes on No. 10 seed TCU in the nightcap of a double-header. "I think weve always had very competitive Big 12 tournaments," Self said, "but I dont know if I can ever remember where if theres a final between whatever seeds there are, it would be absolutely not a major surprise to anybody. Its going to be a pretty special weekend." The Big 12 has been the runaway leader in conference RPI all season, and some believe that it could land seven or eight teams in the NCAA tournament on Selection Sunday. Just consider the games that will be played Thursday: Along with Kansas getting Oklahoma State or Texas Tech, second-seeded Oklahoma will play the Baylor-TCU winner, No. 3 seed Texas will play No. 6 seed West Virginia, and No. 4 seed Iowa State will play No. 5 seed Kansas State. "This league," Texas Tech coach Tubby Smith said, "is by far the toughest in the country." Thats why the Jayhawks still believe they can earn a No. 1 seed to the NCAA tournament, despite their 23-8 record. Meanwhile, Oklahoma State (20-11) is teetering around the bubble, and a win over Texas Tech might be enough to push the Cowboys firmly into the dance. Knocking off the Jayhawks would certainly do the trick. "Were just trying to worry about the next game," Oklahoma State coach Travis Ford said, "and worrying about all that other stuff doesnt really do you any good." In thaat case, here are five things that fans SHOULD worry about: BUBBLE WATCH: Oklahoma State isnt the only team on the NCAA tournament bubble.ddddddddddddBaylor (21-10) would feel much better with a win or two, while West Virginia (17-14) hopes the momentum it picked up by knocking off Kansas last weekend will propel it to enough wins in Kansas City to make a case on Selection Sunday. "I think if we won two wed be in great shape," said Mountaineers coach Bob Huggins, "but I think if we can win that first one that we would be pretty good." CHAMPIONSHIP CHALLENGE: Kansas is the only current member to have won the Big 12 tournament since 2005 -- twice since then, Missouri won the title. In fact, Oklahoma and Iowa Stare are the only current schools besides the Jayhawks and Cowboys to have won. "No matter what people say, no matter what other teams do," Oklahoma States Marcus Smart said, "it goes through Kansas." STAR WATCH: There will be stars-a-plenty at the Big 12 tournament. Andrew Wiggins of Kansas is a potential No. 1 draft pick, Iowa States Melvin Ejim is the Big 12 player of the year and Smart is also a potential lottery pick. But one player who wont be on the floor is Jayhawks centre Joel Embiid, whos been ruled out for the Big 12 tournament and unlikely for the first week of the NCAA tournament because of a stress fracture in his back. HOMECOURT ADVANTAGE: Local schools Kansas and Kansas State always pack the Sprint Center, but Iowa State also tends to draw well -- its campus is a reasonable drive from Kansas City. That means itll be tough to secure a ticket to Thursdays first session, when the Cyclones play the Wildcats and Kansas is also in action in a tantalizing double-header. LONGSHOTS: Even longshots have coaches concerned this year. Texas Tech is the No. 9 seed but has wins over Oklahoma State, Baylor and Texas on its resume. And nobody thought TCU would go winless in the league, so the No. 10 seed Horned Frogs could be primed for a first-round upset of the Bears. "Were going to do our best to keep within striking distance, like we have all year long, and give ourselves a chance down the stretch," TCU coach Trent Johnson said. Cheap Buffalo Sabres Gear Wholesale Calgary Flames Jerseys Cheap Adidas Colorado Avalanche Jerseys Montreal Canadiens Outlet Store Wholesale New Jersey Devils Jerseys Adidas Arizona Coyotes Jerseys Cheap Adidas Boston Bruins Jerseys Cheap Adidas Carolina Hurricanes Jerseys Chicago Blackhawks Shop Free Shipping Wholesale Columbus Blue Jackets Jerseys Dallas Stars Shop Free Shipping Cheap Adidas Detroit Red Wings Jerseys Anaheim Ducks Jerseys China Wholesale Edmonton Oilers Jerseys Florida Panthers Shop Free Shipping Wholesale Los Angeles Kings Jerseys Minnesota Wild Outlet Store Cheap Adidas Nashville Predators Jerseys Cheap Adidas New York Islanders Jerseys New York Rangers Winter Classic Jerseys Cheap Adidas Ottawa Senators Jerseys Cheap Adidas Philadelphia Flyers Jerseys Wholesale Pittsburgh Penguins Jerseys Cheap Adidas San Jose Sharks Jerseys St. Louis Blues Winter Classic Jerseys Wholesale Tampa Bay Lightning Jerseys Toronto Maple Leafs Outlet Store Vancouver Canucks Outlet Store Cheap Adidas Vegas Golden Knights Jerseys Cheap Adidas Washington Capitals Jerseys Cheap Adidas Winnipeg Jets Jerseys ' ' 'al and Chelsea could be tempted to strengthen their squads with new strikers. http://www.officialindianapoliscoltspro.com/Johnny-unitas-colts-jersey/ . Omar Rahou made the discriminatory gesture several times while celebrating scoring a goal against Romania at Antwerp in January, UEFA said. The sanction was double the five-match ban Nicolas Anelka received from an English Football Association independent tribunal last week for the same act. Marshall Faulk Jersey . -- All-Pro tight end Jimmy Graham and the New Orleans Saints met Tuesday for arbitration on his contract. Peyton Manning Jersey . Louis Blues, having added Ryan Miller and Steve Ott from Buffalo, remain the No.Looking back at the winners of the Ryder Cup, starting with the first event in 1927. The 40th Ryder Cup matches were played Sep. 26-28. The United States now leads the series 25-13 with two events ending in ties. Past Ryder Cup Winners YEAR LOCATION RESULT 2014 Gleneagles Course - Perthshire, Scotland Europe 16, U.S. 11 2012 Medinah Country Club - Medinah, Illinois Europe 14.5, U.S. 13.5 2010 Celtic Manor Resort - Newport, Wales Europe 14.5, U.S. 13.5 2008 Valhalla GC - Louisville, Kentucky U.S. 16.5, Europe 11.5 2006 The K Club - Straffan, Ireland Europe 18.5, U.S. 9.5 2004 Oakland Hills GC - Bloomfield Township, Michigan Europe 18.5, U.S. 9.5 2002 The Belfry - Sutton Coldfield, England Europe 15.5, U.S. 12.5 1999 The Country Club - Brookline, Massachusetts U.S. 14.5, Europe 13.5 1997 Valderrama GC - Sotogrande, Spain Europe 14.5, U.S. 13.5 1995 Oak Hill CC - Rochester, New York Europe 14.5, U.S. 13.5 1993 The Belfry - Sutton Coldfield, England U.S. 15, Europe 13 1991 The Ocean Course - Kiawah Island, S. Carolina U.S. 14.5, Europe 13.5 1989 The Belfry - Sutton Coldfield, England U.S. 14, Europe 14 (Europe retains Cup) 1987 Muirfield Village CC - Dublin, Ohio Europe 15, U.S. 13 1985 The Belfry - Sutton Coldfield, England Europe 16.5, U.S. 11.5 1983 PGA National GC - Palm Beach Gardens, Florida U.S. 14.5, Europe 13.5 1981 Walton Heath GC - Surrey, England U.S. 18.5, Europe 9.5 1979 The Greenbrier - White Sulphur Springs, W. Virginia U.S. 17, Europe 11 1977 Royal Lytham & St. Annes - St. Annes, England U.S. 12.5, Britain 7.5 19975 Laurel Valley GC - Ligonier, Pennsylvania U.ddddddddddddS. 21, Britain 11 1973 Muirfield GC - Edinburgh, Scotland U.S. 19, Britain 13 1971 Old Warson CC - St. Louis, Missouri U.S. 18.5, Britain 13.5 1969 Royal Birkdale GC - Southport, England U.S. 16, Britain 16 (U.S. retains Cup) 1967 Champions GC - Houston, Texas U.S. 23.5, Britain 8.5 1965 Royal Birkdale GC - Southport, England U.S. 19.5, Britain 12.5 1963 East Lake CC - Atlanta, Georgia U.S. 23, Britain 9 1961 Royal Lytham & St. Annes - St. Annes, England U.S. 14.5, Britain 9.5 1959 Eldorado CC - Palm Desert, California U.S. 8.5, Britain 3.5 1957 Lindrick GC - Yorkshire, England Britain 7.5, U.S. 4.5 1955 Thunderbird CC - Palm Springs, California U.S. 8, Britain 4 1953 Wentworth GC - Wentworth, England U.S. 6.5, Britain 5.5 1951 Pinehurst CC - Pinehurst, North Carolina U.S. 9.5, Britain 2.5 1949 Ganton GC - Scarborough, England U.S. 7, Britain 5 1947 Portland GC - Portland, Oregon U.S. 11, Britain 1 1937 Southport & Ainsdale GC - Southport, England U.S. 8, Britain 4 1935 Ridgewood CC - Ridgewood, New Jersey U.S. 9, Britain 3 1933 Southport & Ainsdale GC - Southport, England Britain 6.5, U.S. 5.5 1931 Scioto CC - Columbus, Ohio U.S. 9, Britain 3 1929 Moortown GC - Leeds, England Britain 7, U.S. 5 1927 Worcester CC - Worcester, Massachusetts U.S. 9.5, Britain 2.5 Cheap Buffalo Sabres Gear Wholesale Calgary Flames Jerseys Cheap Adidas Colorado Avalanche Jerseys Montreal Canadiens Outlet Store Wholesale New Jersey Devils Jerseys Adidas Arizona Coyotes Jerseys Cheap Adidas Boston Bruins Jerseys Cheap Adidas Carolina Hurricanes Jerseys Chicago Blackhawks Shop Free Shipping Wholesale Columbus Blue Jackets Jerseys Dallas Stars Shop Free Shipping Cheap Adidas Detroit Red Wings Jerseys Anaheim Ducks Jerseys China Wholesale Edmonton Oilers Jerseys Florida Panthers Shop Free Shipping Wholesale Los Angeles Kings Jerseys Minnesota Wild Outlet Store Cheap Adidas Nashville Predators Jerseys Cheap Adidas New York Islanders Jerseys New York Rangers Winter Classic Jerseys Cheap Adidas Ottawa Senators Jerseys Cheap Adidas Philadelphia Flyers Jerseys Wholesale Pittsburgh Penguins Jerseys Cheap Adidas San Jose Sharks Jerseys St. Louis Blues Winter Classic Jerseys Wholesale Tampa Bay Lightning Jerseys Toronto Maple Leafs Outlet Store Vancouver Canucks Outlet Store Cheap Adidas Vegas Golden Knights Jerseys Cheap Adidas Washington Capitals Jerseys Cheap Adidas Winnipeg Jets Jerseys ' ' '