NFL stars frustrated by turf delay

• Pro Bowl facts
• Pro Bowl Week schedule

By Brandon Masuoka
Advertiser Staff Writer

New England kicker Adam Vinatieri signs a helmet owned by Bryson Segundo, 13, of Kalihi. The Pro Bowl, featuring all-stars from the NFC and AFC, will be held Sunday at Aloha Stadium. Deborah Booker • The Honolulu Advertiser

Many of the players who arrived yesterday at Honolulu International Airport grudgingly accepted having to play one more game on the AstroTurf field instead of the new FieldTurf surface, an artificial grass product that uses layers of sand and rubber infill.

"I read that it was going to be ready," New York Jets center Kevin Mawae said. "So yeah, I'm kind of disappointed that it's not going to be ready. But, whatever, you still have to play."

Initially, the new surface was scheduled to be completed before Sunday's Pro Bowl, but concerns about rushed construction, an unfinished contract and unpredictable weather, prompted Gov. Linda Lingle and the NFL to delay the installation to between April 1 and May 23. Prior stadium events will prevent the turf from being installed sooner.

The NFL prefers natural grass or FieldTurf because its players have complained about injuries suffered on AstroTurf. University of Hawai'i football coach June Jones has also advocated for a new playing surface.

Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Troy Vincent said he had hopes of playing on the new surface Sunday.

"I'm very disappointed," Vincent said. "Last year, we were told that FieldTurf would be here. But hey, you've got to play the game."

This season, Vincent and the Eagles played at Veterans Stadium, ranked the worst playing surface in the league by the NFL Players Association. The Vet will be demolished after the baseball season and replaced with a new stadium in nearby South Philadelphia.

Vincent said there's no comparison between the artificial turf at Veterans Stadium and FieldTurf.

"You're talking about concrete, stuff you buy at Home Depot, to something that's specifically made for performance," he said.

Vincent called FieldTurf the "closest thing to grass" and the "best surface that's out on the market right now."

"It changes the complexion of the game," he said. "We love it. It's a fast, wonderful surface."

New England Patriots strong safety Lawyer Milloy called Aloha Stadium's change to FieldTurf, "a good move in the right direction."

Milloy said he grew up in the rainy Seattle area and played the majority of his high school and college games on AstroTurf because the surface was easier to maintain than grass. However, he said FieldTurf is much better.

"I love FieldTurf over (AstroTurf) because, first and foremost, it gives a little more like natural grass," Milloy said. "I'm definitely for the evolution towards FieldTurf if a team feels like natural grass is hard to maintain in their climate."

The $1.3 million turf replacement was seen as one of the key issues on keeping the Pro Bowl in Hawai'i. The turf has also been the focus of more than six months of talks between the NFL and the state, and was part of a contract in 2000 between the Hawai'i Tourism Authority and the Pro Bowl.

Notes: Devoted Pro Bowl fan Roger Leake camped out at Honolulu International Airport at 4 a.m. yesterday to be the first in line for autographs. The early-bird start paid off for the 35-year-old Army contractor, who got several players to sign his souvenir helmet, including one of his favorite players, Chicago middle linebacker Brian Urlacher. "There's no trick," Leake said of getting autographs. "Just wake up early and be patient. You're going to win some and lose some." ... Most of the Pro Bowl players stopped to sign autographs yesterday. Some players such as Philadelphia cornerback Troy Vincent and offensive line teammate Jon Runyan signed for the entire 100-plus autograph seekers.

Pro Bowl facts

What: AFC Stars vs. NFC Stars

When: Sunday, 12:30 p.m.

Where: Aloha Stadium.

Tickets: Prices range from $25 to $85. May be purchased at Ticket Plus locations, or by calling Ticket Plus at 526-4400.

Radio/TV: Live on KKEA (1420 AM) and KITV (Channel 4).

Pro Bowl Week schedule

Note: Practices at Ko Olina are closed to the public.

Today

• 10 a.m.—AFC Practice, Aloha Stadium (Admission free)
• 3-5:30 p.m.—Pro Bowl Youth Clinic, Kea'au High School Football Stadium (Hilo)

Tomorrow

• 9 a.m.—NFC Practice, Aloha Stadium (Admission free)
• 3-5:30 p.m.—Pro Bowl Youth Clinic, Kailua Park Complex (Kona)

Thursday

• 10 a.m.—AFC Practice, Aloha Stadium (Admission free)
• Noon-8 p.m.—Topps NFL Experience, Fort DeRussy
• 1 p.m.—NFL Charities Beach Bowling Bash, Hilton Hawaiian Village Lagoon (Admission free)
• 3-5:30 p.m.—Pro Bowl Youth Clinic, War Memorial Sports Complex, Keopuolani Regional Park Field 4 and 5 (Maui)

Friday

• 10 a.m.—NFC Practice, Aloha Stadium (Admission free)
• Noon-10 p.m.—Topps NFL Experience, Fort DeRussy
• 3-5:30 p.m.—Military Day and NFL Military Challenge Topps NFL Experience, Fort DeRussy (Includes special price for military, and competition between the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard)
• 3-5:30 p.m.—Pro Bowl Youth Clinic, Vidinha Stadium (Kaua'i)
• 5:30 p.m.-midnight—Pro Bowl Block Party, Aloha Tower Marketplace (Admission free)
• 7-10 p.m.—Friday Night at the Experience. Topps NFL Experience, Fort DeRussy (Free with Topps NFL Experience ticket)

Saturday

• 7:45-10:45 a.m.—Pro Bowl Youth Clinic, Waipi'o Soccer Facility (O'ahu)
• 9 a.m.—NFC Practice, Aloha Stadium (Admission free)
• 10 a.m.—AFC Practice, Aloha Stadium (Admission free)
• 10 a.m.-10 p.m.—Youth Day Topps NFL Experience, Fort DeRussy
• 7:45-10:45 a.m.—Pro Bowl Youth Clinic, Mililani High School.
• 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.—Pro Bowl Youth Clinic, Waipi'o Soccer Facility (O'ahu)
• 7-10 p.m.—Pro Bowl Pre game Jam Topps NFL Experience, Fort DeRussy ($5 at the door).

Sunday

• 9:30-noon —NFL Tailgate Party, Richardson Field (Tickets available at the door).
• 10 a.m.-6 p.m.—Topps NFL Experience, Fort DeRussy
• 11:40 a.m.—Pro Bowl Pregame Festivities Begin
• 12:30 p.m.—Kickoff 2003 NFL Pro Bowl Game AFC All-Stars vs. NFC All-Stars, Aloha Stadium

Monday

• 12:30 p.m.—NFL Charities Golf Tournament, Waialae Golf Course.

Tickets for Topps NFL Experience are $5 at the door. Tickets for most of the Pro Bowl events also may be purchased through Ticket Plus (526-4400), via online at www.ticketplushawaii.com, at any of the 40 Ticket Plus locations or at Aloha Stadium's box office.

NFL calendar

• Feb. 28 — Trading period begins.
• March 23-26 — NFL annual meeting, Phoenix.
• April 26-27 — NFL draft, New York.
• Aug. 4 — Pro Football Hall of Fame Game, Canton, Ohio.