Maybe Delta wanted me to see the Giants v Vikings game, since they routed me through Detroit

Today Brett Fave ISN'T starting as QB for the Minnesota Vikings.  In fact, after the hit he took in last week's game, I'm pretty sure that he's even playing. 

Tonight's New York Giants v Minnesota Vikings game is being played in Detroit, since the Metrodome's roof collapsed due to the weather in Minneapolis. 

Brett Favre's streak. that began in 1992, ends tonight at 297 consecutive starts.

I was in Detroit this morning.  Normally, I fly direct to Minneapolis.  This morning, the Delta counters were a disaster. and I dealt with the most unhelpful woman at the Sky Priority counter at Reagan National Airport.  I've already complained numerous times to Delta about this experience, and hopefully I'll have a positive outcome to report once Delta reviews the case.  Regardless, I was routed through Detroit.

Once I landed in Detroit, I listened to my voicemail and learned that my customer wouldn't be at work today.  ****  Remind me why I even traveled this morning?!?!  After hearing the voicemail, I contemplated giving away my seat, so I could go to the "impromptu Monday Night Football" game tonight. 

When I was at the Detroit Airport I saw Vikings fans at the airport.  When I landed in Minneapolis, I passed the gate for Detroit and saw even more people in Vikings attire.

Considering how late the flight got me into Minneapolis, and my Delta travel woes ~ I probably should've stayed in Detroit, visited the Detroit Lions' home field (i.e. Ford Field), and watched someone else (i.e. Tavaris Jackson) start as QB.  However, I couldn't get "down" with the cold in Detroit (i.e. or Minneapolis for that matter).  Plus, after just watching the Minneapolis local news report it looks like people lined up early so the free tickets were distributed rather quickly.  Lastly, if I heard it correctly, Sun Country Airlines filled up four charter flights to Detroit today.

Funny.  With all that travel, I didn't see a single New York Giants fan...

****  Pictures of Brett Favre are the ones I took at the NFC Wildcard game, January 2010.



THE WIRK

Metrodome roof collapsed ~ Football fans in Detroit get to see the Giants v Vikings

Tomorrow I have to go to Minneapolis. 

By now, if you care about football at all, you know that the Metrodome roof collapsed due to the 17+ inches of snow that fell over the weekend.  17+ inches of snow and 20-30 degrees below zero is what I'm hearing to expect.  ****  Hopefully temperatures rise and some of that snow melts in the next several hours.

I'm in Minneapolis often, but I've only been to the Metrodome once.  I was there in January 2010 for the NFC Wildcard game.  Ironically, the weather was very mild compared to what the city had this weekend. 

As a building, compared to the other venues I've seen, the Metrodome is struggling.  It's visibly older and doesn't offer that much in terms of amenities to the fans.  Vikings fans are passionate about their team though, so I'm not sure that they care.

Usually, I can get a good look at roof of the Metrodome from my the office and/or my hotel.  You better believe I'll be looking out the window tomorrow! 

Metrodome, for the Cowboys v Vikings ~

NFC Wildcard game, Feb 2010

My friend sent me a video of the Metrodome roof collapse.  UNBELIEVABLE.  Ironically, the video looks like it was shot from near the same spot where I took the picture, that I included above. 



****  I'm not an  HTML expert, but the video is embedded.  If you click in this "blank area" the video will play.  Trust me.  Further, sometimes when I try to embed this video it kills my formatting and removes the text at the bottom so here's my last ditch effort to make this post complete...

It looks like Christmas has come early for football fans in Detroit, since the Minnesota Vikings will host the New York Giants at Ford Field at 7PM Eastern.  It's been reported that free tickets for general admission seats will be given out on a first come, first served basis.  If I was in Detroit, you better believe I'd be at the game!


THE WIRK

Packers crush the Cowboys ~ Things can't be fun in Dallas

I was in Dallas last weekend and I heard the radio guys' reactions to the Cowboys season.  I laughed out loud when I heard one of the men groan when Wade Phillips was at the mic talking.  He wasn't thrilled that Wade was at the mic talking, because obviously it meant that Wade was still the coach of the Dallas Cowboys.

I've heard Jerry Jones say that's he's "standing by his man" and that Philips will remain coach for the rest of the season.  With Romo out with a broken clavicle and Jon Kitna "playing" quarterback, things have got to be unbearable in the locker room, on the field, etc.  I can't fathom what it must feel like to be a part of the Dallas Cowboys organization, when the tean has a record of 1-7.  Further, it just can't be fun to be a Cowboys fan right now.  All my friends who are Cowboys fans are extremely frustrated.  It must be incredibly awkward to be Cowboys fan and know that in a few months that Super Bowl XLV is coming to town, especially since it was almost expected that after last year's performance, that the Cowboys would at least be in contention for a post-season...

I went to the new Cowboys Stadium in January to watch the Cowboys play the Philadelphia Eagles for the NFC Wildcard game.  I bought a hat at the game, and have no idea where that hat is now.  Needless to say, I won't be needing it this year so I have more than enough time to look for it.  The Cowboys won the game I attended and went on to play the Minnesota Vikings in Minneapolis.  Ultimately Brett Favre and the Vikings ended the Cowboys' season.  Incidentally, I was at that game also.  ****  Check my earlier posts from January, if you're curious.

I barely watched the game tonight.  I'm not a Green Bay Packers fan, and I knew that the Dallas Cowboys would lose.  I ran into my friend, Tommy, on my way home from the Washington Capitals game and he said he thought that the Cowboys would cover tonight's spread.  That made me laugh.  I have no idea what the spread was for tonight's game, but I would've spotted the Cowboys 10 points easily and still taken the Packers.  ****  The final score was 45-7, and the Packers won.  Tommy, I told you so!

I'm not saying that I think the Cowboys are quitting for the rest of the season.  I'm not going to pretend that I've been following them enough to care.  I'm just saying that after watching Green Bay play against the Redskins (i.e. even though the Packers lost) and the Vikings (i.e. even though the game went down to the wire), it was obvious to me that the Cowboys would get blown out tonight.

The only thing that really made an impression on me today was Clay Matthews Jr.  I really want him to shave his head.  His stringy hair drives me nuts.  That's my 2 cents.

Here's a picture of me at the new Cowboys Stadium.  If you haven't been there, you're missing out.  GO!!!! 

****  Hmmm, what a difference a week makes!  The irony.  I just checked ESPN.com and it looks like Jerry Jones MIGHT be changing his tune.  It wouldn't be the first time a man changed his mind after a week...  Here's a link to the article, if you want to cut and paste it into a new window:  http://sports.espn.go.com/dallas/nfl/news/story?id=5779311.  I wonder.  Can you hear me laughing over here?

THE WIRK

Brett Favre's voicemail or his 500th TD pass ~ What do you care about?

I don't know about you, but I don't want to hear every professional football player's inappropriate voicemail message nor do I really care about any inappropriate text messages.  I heard Favre's voicemail on Friday on the radio.  I don't condone infidelity, but I do think it's a personal matter between him and his wife.  Further, as long as there are no charges/convictions against him, I think it's a dangerous precedent for the NFL to "set" (i.e. to punish these types of behaviors as an offense to the code of conduct).

That's my 2 cents.

Now back to the business of the New York Jets v Minnesota Vikings, MNF match-up...  Congratulations to Brett Favre on his 500th career touchdown pass (i.e. of which  Randy Moss was the recipient)!  The Vikings are still down 7-15 with the 3rd quarter coming to an end...

Now that this blog post is done, I can start leaving inappropriate voicemails!  HAHA.  Just kidding.  Obviously, I need to order a voice changer first... Duh...  :-P

THE WIRK

Saints defeat Vikings in Home Opener ~ Everyone wins in New Orleans

Thursday morning I woke up and drove to BWI so I could head to New Orleans for the New Orleans Saints home opener against the Minnesota Vikings.  It was the first game of the 2010-2011 NFL season, and you better believe that I wasn't going to miss watching the defending Super Bowl XLIV Champions at home.

During my layover in Charlotte, I received a text from The Rick telling me that there would be a huge craps session at 1 and that I was invited to a tailgate before the game.  Looks like The Rick was trying to play nice in order to make it into this blog, since he and I weren't getting along a few weeks prior.  Well, it worked.

I landed in New Orleans around 2 and hopped in a cab to head to Harrah's.  I shared the cab with some man, so already I caught my cost in 1/2.  Rather than $33, I paid $18 (i.e. you have to tip the driver).  Already I made money :)

As soon as I got to Harrah's I went straight to the craps table to find my friend.  He saw me walking towards him and the $15 craps table, so so much for surprising him.  He was wearing Deuce McAllister's jersey.  We played craps and then off to the tailgate with Bubba, Bubba's kids, The Rick's sister, and  The Rick's brother-in-law we went.  A few pieces of fried chicken and some beers later, I was ready to get into the New Orleans Superdome for my inaugural visit!

After the Super Bowl banner dropped (Picture courtesy of The Rick)

As soon as I sat in my seat, Eddie (i.e. the guy sitting next to me) introduced himself to me and asked if I was rooting for the Saints.  Yes, I was.  He then gave me the original ticket for my seat (i..e I only had the ticketmaster print out).  THANK YOU, EDDIE!  For someone (i.e. like me) who collects ticket stubs, I was thrilled!  Eddie, his sister, and his brother-in-law were a fun group to sit with and we had a fun time rooting for the Saints together.

Saints taking the field

Harry Connick Jr. on the float

Coin toss

Brett Favre and the Vikings offense at work

Action shot

Drew Brees and the Saints offense at work

Sit in these seats and you can plummet to your death - YIKES!!!

The Saints defeated the Vikings 14-9.  The should've defeated the Vikings 20-9, but the kicker missed to field goals left...  LACES OUT!

After the game, I walked in the heat with the masses towards the casino.  The Rick met me there and we played craps til about 3:30AM.  I won!!!!  ****  FYI - If you're not going to place odds behind your pass line bet, you shouldn't be playing craps.  After a quick burger at Fuddrucker's I was off to the airport to head back home. 

Fun little 14 hour New Orleans adventure:

1) Saints won 

2) I won

3) Happy birthday, Ricky!

THE WIRK

I'm ready for some regular season NFL action NOW!!!!

So I'm in Minneapolis and watching the Twins game from my room.  Actually, I really don't care about this game.  I'm sure it's a good one and I enjoy watching the Chicago White Sox and Minnesota Twins, but I feel like I've seen this match-up numerous times.  In fact, if I took the time to add up the posts, I'd be willing to bet that I've seen this match-up at least two times already.  Regardless, if there are fireworks, I'll look out the window...  The fans have been quiet, so I've been planning the next steps for this blog and my impending time off (i.e.  VACATION).  ****  Update:  Someone just hit a home run! There are fireworks!  ****  Another Update:  More fireworks!  Twins defeat the White Sox in extra innings, 7-6.

Since Brett Favre boarded a plane to come up North (i.e. coincidentally to Minneapolis, where I am) I've decided that I too should work on finding my "blog voice" again and start strategizing my own football schedule.  There are still some great stadiums that I need to hit before I die, so why not use my vacation to tackle Week 1 as thoroughly as only THE WIRK can?!?!

Currently looking at the following:
September 9, 2010 - New Orleans Saints home opener v the Minnesota Vikings
September 12, 2010 - Philadelphia Eagles home opener v the Green Bay Packers
September 13, 2010 - New York Jets home opener v the Baltimore Ravens

The schedule is aggressive, just like me, and hopefully (i.e. with a little help from my friends) things will all fall into place.  If it all works out, I can knock off three new venues easily. 

In addition, I have a some trips, concerts, comedy shows, and some other stuff coming up so dont' worry - this blog should pick up soon!  I don't like to telegraph all my plays on here for obvious reasons - but good things are on the way.


THE WIRK

Brett Favre and the "This is it" Text Message

All anyone can talk about today is Brett Favre and his "This is it" text.  BFD. 

According to an ESPN article, Favre has sent text messages to teammates saying, "This is it," league sources told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.

So what? He didn't text "I'm retiring." Maybe he meant, "This is it (i.e. the last year)."  Maybe he was recommending the Michael Jackson movie to his teammates.  Who knows.  Why are people are so jumpy?!?!  Until the man says he's retiring and actually misses a game, who cares?

Incidentally, I'm currently in Minneapolis and people are awfully quiet around here.  I did notice that Macy's moved the Favre Minnesota Vikings jersey's closer to the front of its fan memorabilia section (i.e. to the point where it looks strange, surrounded by the Twins gear).

With The Rick in Minneapolis

Regardless, I got a call from my friend, The Rick, today who said we may have witnessed Favre's last victory in the NFL.  Oh well.  Guess we'll find out for sure...  Eventually.

Start of the AFC Divisional Game: Dallas Cowboys v Minnesota Vikings

Favre walks off the field, Vikings won!

Get your jersey while you can.


THE WIRK

Cold Weather Super Bowl XLVIII - No, Thank You

So I'm in Minneapolis and I was looking at the Vikings website.  I realize that I'm late to the game on this, but here goes...  I saw a quick poll about whether or not visitors to the site "Like the idea of a 'cold weather' Super Bowl".  After attending my first Super Bowl in Miami this year, I figured I'd vote.  I voted "No".  I was surprised at the results of the poll.

 The results of the poll were as follows, with a total of 281 votes:

• 
  
  Yes ~ 58%
• 
  
  No ~ 37%
• 
  
  Not Sure ~ 5%

What I want to know is of the people who voted, how many of them have actually gone to the big game?  We all know that the Super Bowl is primarily a corporate event, unless you're lucky enough to have the disposable income to get yourself a seat.  Tickets to the Super Bowl aren't cheap.  Trust me.  Back when I was looking for a ticket, I couldn't get myself to cough up the hundreds if not thousands of dollars it would've taken me to get a seat worth sitting in.  Thank goodness the ticket fairy landed in my lap!

Maybe it's because I'm admittedly not a fan of cold weather.  My favorite team is the Indianapolis Colts (i.e. before when I lived in Atlanta, I was an Atlanta Falcons fan).  I'll confess - I like domes and being safe from the elements.  Don't get me wrong, I can be tough when I need to be.  In 2004, when the Indianapolis Colts played the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship game, I was right there at Gillette Stadium, with my boyfriend at the time and his friend to cheer Peyton Manning on, in a losing effort.

According to Wikipedia: 
Traditionally, the NFL does not award Super Bowls to stadiums that are located in climates less than 50°F (10°C) unless the field is completely covered by a fixed or retractable roof. Only three Super Bowls have been played in northern cities; two in the Detroit area (Super Bowl XVI at Pontiac Silverdome in Pontiac, and Super Bowl XL at Ford Field in Detroit), and one in Minneapolis (Super Bowl XXVI). However, all three were played inside domed stadiums. There had never been a Super Bowl scheduled to be played outside in cold temperatures, until May 25th, 2010, when it was announced that the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, home to the New York Giants and New York Jets would play host to Super Bowl XLVIII, marking the first time that a Super Bowl will be played outside in a northern city. Super Bowl XLVI will also be played in a northern city, Indianapolis. The new Lucas Oil Stadium has a retractable roof, which presumably will be closed when the game is played in February 2012.

The Vince Lombardi trophy on display at the NFL Commissioner's Party

I can only imagine how cold the conditions will be for the Super Bowl in 2014.  After experiencing a beautiful Super Bowl in Miami (i.e. there wasn't the same tsunami-like rain conditions, like the year Prince performed) ~ blog or no blog, I don't think I'll be there, UNLESS of course, the ticket fairy decides to come back for another visit AND brings hand warmers, a scarf, warm socks, and a down coat.


THE WIRK