If the Detroit Lions are going to win back-to-back games for the first time in 23 months on Sunday, they’ll need kicker Jason Hanson to block out his distrust for the turf at Chicago’s Soldier Field.
Hanson, one of the league’s best kickers, missed a PAT in Chicago last year. In 2007, he doinked a 29-yard field goal off an upright.
“Stupid field,” Hanson moaned, according to Tom Kowalski of MLive.com. ““It was a strange deal last year. The field wasn’t muddy, but the grass was real soggy and soft. There were spots that were just mush. Soldier Field is always an adventure.’'
Kowalski notes that a recent U2 concert and a game in the rain last week against Pittsburgh likely left the field in sad shape. But the grass was actually replaced after Paul Hewson and the boys from Dublin came through.
Still, Hanson’s not expecting tip-top turf. “I assume it’ll be cruddy. (Bears kicker) Robbie Gould kicks fine there. You just have to adapt. I could be OK, but it’s my least favorite surface. It can be windy but, for me, it’s more field conditions.’'
Spoken like a true dome kicker.