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For several NFL teams, there’s no place like domes

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It is a story that no doubt will shock fans of the St. Louis Rams and Detroit Lions. According to the Wall Street Journal, NFL teams that play in domed stadiums have an advantage over those who don’t.

In an article bearing the headline, “Is it time for the NFL to ban domes?” the Journal points out that three domed teams -- the Minnesota Vikings, Indianapolis Colts and New Orleans Saints -- are undefeated and another -- the Atlanta Falcons -- are 3-0 at home.

The Saints are on pace to break the league record for most points in a season, the Vikings rank second in points and the Colts are third in yardage.

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“If you can design the right type of offense in a dome,” said Darrel “Mouse” Davis, a former NFL offensive coordinator, “it’s incredibly hard to defend.” Of course, the Vikings, Colts and Saints have three of the best quarterbacks in football. Talent helps, which explains why the Rams and Lions are a combined 1-11.

And in the end, domed teams usually have to venture out of their safe environment, leaving them vulnerable during the cold weather of the postseason. Only two domed teams, the 1999 Rams and the 2006 Colts, have won the Super Bowl.

Trivia time

Who is the only Rams player to be named Super Bowl most valuable player?

Is it the shoes?

Marcus Jordan, son of Michael Jordan, is a freshman at Central Florida and has yet to play his first collegiate game. However, he’s already making headlines.

Central Florida has a contract with Adidas, which supplies the team with clothing and shoes. Michael Jordan has become synonymous with the Nike brand and Marcus says he plans to uphold the family tradition and wear Nike shoes.

“It’s a level of importance with the Jordan Brand and my family,” Marcus Jordan said. “It’s no disrespect to Adidas. I have a high level of respect for Adidas, but I’m going to be wearing Jordan shoes. I’m wearing the Adidas uniform and all my other UCF gear is Adidas, but the shoes are going to be Jordan Brand.”

According to the website Fanhouse.com, Adidas is not happy with Jordan’s decision but “didn’t press the issue because they feared a backlash.”

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Why the wildcat?

Fox NFL analyst Troy Aikman believes the wildcat formation is more a fad than a trend that will carry weight in a team’s playbook for a long time.

“The wildcat is a lot like Twitter right now,” Aikman said. “Everyone is doing it because they feel like it’s what they’re supposed to do, yet nobody really knows why they’re doing it.”

Trivia answer

Kurt Warner.

And finally

From Eric Francis of the Calgary Sun, on great fodder for a team publicist: “The Brandon Wheat Kings have a 17-year-old rookie forward named Wheaton King.”

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mike.penner@latimes.com

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