Eagles Try Out New Turf With Familiar Feeling

Players always have said the turf at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia feels like asphalt.

So it should come as no surprise the city is turning to asphalt to try to solve drainage problems that forced the cancellation of the Eagles’ exhibition opener against the Baltimore Ravens on Aug. 13.

“I wouldn’t call it a permanent solution just yet, but we are going to try something out in practice that may lead to a more viable long-run fix,” city Managing Director Joe Martz said.

The Eagles practiced on the turf for the first time Monday. City officials said heavy rain turned areas around the bases and pitcher’s mound into mud, causing the new artificial turf placed over them to buckle and sag.

“It’s better than it was on [Aug. 13],” Eagle Coach Andy Reid said. “But there’s still more work that needs to be done.”

Players were instructed to withhold comment on the conditions of the turf, and to deflect all questions to Reid.

The Eagles used the closed practice to try out shoes for the new turf.

One of the problems with the turf is how quickly it has worn since it was installed five months ago, Reid said. The turf has been through 58 Phillie games, several concerts and a charity carnival run by the Eagles.

Officials are installing a two-inch layer of asphalt over the problem areas. The turf, called NeXturf, has a half-inch rubber base and will be rolled out over the asphalt. The thick blacktop will be torn up and removed whenever the field is converted to baseball.

The surface beneath the permanent areas of the field--the outfield and the turf areas of the infield--already has a layer of asphalt covered by NeXturf.

City Controller Jonathan Saidel said he watched a tape of workers laying out some test asphalt over second base and he is worried about the conversion process.

“It took forever and a day, with jackhammers and heavy-duty trucks,” Saidel said. “This couldn’t be the answer. Why are my people laying a street on third base? It was very time consuming.”

Saidel said the asphalt plan may also prove costly, and called on Southwest Recreational Industries, the makers of NeXturf, to pay the bill.

Martz estimated each conversion costs $2,500. He said the city and Southwest are discussing who will pay for the repairs.

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Doug Pederson made his strongest pitch yet for the backup job behind Green Bay quarterback Brett Favre.

Pederson led the Packers on four scoring drives and Ryan Longwell added five field goals in their 22-7 exhibition victory over the Denver Broncos at Green Bay, Wis.

Favre and the Packers were held out of the end zone in the first half, facing a heavy blitz package by Bronco defensive coordinator Ray Rhodes, who made his first trip to Lambeau Field since being fired 20 months ago after only one season as the Packer coach.

The injury-depleted Packers were without their top two tailbacks--Ahman Green (groin) and Dorsey Levens (hand). And their top receiver, Antonio Freeman, got a concussion just before halftime when he was hit by cornerback Eric Brown. He didn’t return. Nor did Bronco defensive tackle Chester McGlockton, who sprained his left knee in the first half.

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Tom Condon, who represents the NFL officials, met for four hours with league officials and the league reported no progress toward a new collective bargaining agreement.

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said the league has received 200 acceptances from replacement officials it has been recruiting in case of a work stoppage for season-opening games Sept. 9.

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Doctors and trainers found no additional damage to Tony Boselli’s right knee and Jacksonville Jaguar Coach Tom Coughlin said he expects the Pro Bowl left tackle to be ready for the season opener.

Boselli twisted the surgically repaired knee in practice Sunday. An MRI showed no cartilage or ligament damage, only a bone bruise.

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New York Jet nose tackle Jason Ferguson will be sidelined for the season because of a torn rotator cuff.

He is expected to have surgery this week.

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The Washington Redskins signed Pro-Bowl guard Dave Szott.

Szott played 11 seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs. He missed most of the 1998 and 2000 seasons because of arm injuries.

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The St. Louis Rams, with a hole to fill at defensive end after losing Cedric Jones for the season, signed former Tampa Bay starter Chidi Ahanotu to a one-year contract.

Ahanotu was released by Tampa Bay in April in a cost-cutting move.