(08-09-2015, 10:49 AM)Wyche Wrote: The main problem is that, under the current circumstances, UC holds precedence over the Bengals regarding the facility.  Isn't that correct?

You could potentially miss a practice due to inclement weather because of this.

That's a much bigger issue than pampered players.....although players want pampered too.  Same as employees want benefits and bonuses when a company really prospers.....

(08-09-2015, 09:54 AM)Luvnit2 Wrote: My bad if the Steelers share facilities and they don't have to bus to the indoor practice area.

I thought differently.

So, is the Steelers every day practice field also in walking distance to Heinz field so they are close by weight rooms, meeting rooms, break areas and so on?

(08-09-2015, 12:08 PM)Wes Mantooth Wrote: I don't think you understand.  Everything is in house.  There is no need to "walk back and forth".  Everything, and I mean everything is on site.

The UPMC Sports Performance Complex is a multipurpose, multisport training, sports science, and sports medical complex of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.


It is also unique in that it combines these training facilities in one location with an academically based sports science and medicine program.[2] The complex consists of four centers which include the Center for Sports Medicine, Sports Training Center, Indoor Training Center, and the Fitness and Conditioning Center located in three buildings along with four outdoor practice fields all situated on 40 acres (16 ha) of land. The UPMC Center for Sports Medicine located in the complex is an international destination for amateur and professional athletes alike for its training, medical, and rehabilitation studies and services

The 100,000-square-foot (9,300 m2) Panthers/Steelers indoor training, coaching and management building is split evenly in half, with both organizations having two floors. On the building’s first floor are the teams’ weight training and athletic training rooms; locker rooms; and a cafeteria-style kitchen and dining room. On the second floor are team meeting and film viewing rooms, coaching and administrative offices; and working media rooms.

The 40,000-square-foot (3,700 m2) UPMC Center for Sports Medicine, part of UPMC system flagship UPMC Presbyterian Shadyside, is one of the leading sports medicine centers in the United States[9] and is home for the University of Pittsburgh's and UPMC's Sports Medicine program whose medical faculty is ranked 9th among the top orthopaedic programs in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.[10] The Center is overseen by renowned orthopedic surgeon Freddie Fu, which has led to it often being referred to as "Freddie's building".[6][7] In the Center for Sports Medicine building, both the Panthers and Steelers have on-site access to advanced comprehensive sports medicine care provided a team of sports medicine physicians, orthopaedic surgeons, athletic trainers and physical therapists all who specialize in all types of specific sport-related injuries. The full-time sports medicine team also includes sub-specialists in, sport psychology,[11] sports nutrition, sports massage therapy, sports concussion and sports performance enhancement. The Center also conducts major injury prevention studies involving, for example, female knee ligament, shoulders, golf and cycling. It also serves as a research center for such areas as robotic surgery, stem cell tissue regeneration, concussion prevention and human motion.[7]

The center’s Sports Concussion Program is directed by some of the country’s leading researchers in sports concussion management, including Mark Lovell, Ph.D., director of the NFL and NHL’s neuro-cognitive testing program.[12] The program’s goals involve developing methods of evaluating the short- and long-term effects of concussion so that a better determination can be made as to when it is safe for an athlete to return to active sports following a concussion.[13][14]

The center has private examination rooms, and on-site digital x-ray units, and an open magnetic resonance imaging unit designed specifically for the types of musculoskeletal conditions and injuries commonly seen at the center. The diagnostic imaging equipment is highlighted by UPMC-developed filmless digital radiology workstations that provide high-precision x-ray and MRI displays in each of the 34 exam rooms that is instantly accessible on-site via computerized web-based images that can be stored as well as clearly transmitted for consultation anywhere in the world.[15]

The center’s 6,000-square-foot (560 m2) physical therapy and rehabilitation area is fully equipped for physical therapists and athletic trainers to direct specific types of injury rehabilitation. The physical therapy and rehab area also has a 25-by-30-foot (7.6 by 9.1 m) therapeutic pool and a functional gym providing athletes with functional assessment of their rehabilitation progress with their therapist on site. The training and rehabilitation gym is equipped with extensive circuit machines, free weights, and isokinetic and aerobic equipment, a plyometric training floor to help recovering athletes regain power and restore quick movement capabilities, and specialized equipment and training area to simulate an athlete’s performance requirements.[15]

In addition to sports injury management, the center also provides a comprehensive Sports Performance Program that is individualized to each athlete, concentrating on achieving optimal athletic performance while preventing injury. The program usually begins with advanced neuro-musculoskeletal assessment in the center’s Neuromuscular Research Laboratory.[16] Specific components of the program may include strengthening and conditioning, improving speed, agility and joint stability, identifying and managing any potential areas of weakness, injury prevention, sports massage therapy and nutrition counseling as well as sport-specific skills training. The Sports Performance Program serves a daily clientele with individualized goals for personal fitness and athletic performance ranging from world-famous elite and professional athletes to nationally known college athletes to local high school and recreational athletes. The Center also provides all of its services to many non-athletes with other types of musculoskeletal injuries related to physical activity.[17]

Hundreds of elite athletes and famous individuals have been served at the UPMC Sport Performance Complex including, to name a few, golfer Greg Norman, Tour de France winners Miguel Indurain and Greg LeMond, wrestler Kurt Angle, hockey star Mario Lemieux, hurdler Roger Kingdom, football stars Dan Marino and Jerome Bettis, ballet star Mikhail Baryshnikov, actress Kathleen Turner, along with other athletes from the Panthers, Steelers, Duquesne Dukes, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Pittsburgh Penguins.

Outdoors, there are four side-by-side 80-yard-long football practice fields which are ideally situated for private practices and have viewing towers and lighting for evening sessions. Three of the fields are natural turf and one was outfitted with Sportexe synthetic turf in June 2007.[26][27]

In addition to being a major corporate sponsor of the teams, UPMC is the teams’ preferred health care and sports medicine provider. Injury evaluation, treatment and rehabilitation as well as UPMC’s Sports Performance Program all are available to the athletes on-site year round.

(08-09-2015, 12:03 PM)Luvnit2 Wrote: I can't recall one time practice weather has cost us a playoff or regular season win.

That is why I think it is a very weak argument. I get a sense our players want to be here. I did not feel that way 7 or 8 years ago (long time ago) when JJ left.

Takeo Spikes walked into the new facilities Thursday. A lady greeted him and asked him if she could help him navigate the facility. His response was a big yes as he stated this place has totally changed since he was last here as a Bengal player. Progress has been made and this year it appears major changes were made for the players to better weight facilities, to better break areas to a great indoor place to do a few drills and use for rehab.

They are going to use the practice fields 90 to 95% due to we don't play in a dome stadium so outside weather conditions have to be the norm for practice. The idea to spend 20 million to build and then a million a year to maintain a practice facility to me is a nice to have versus a must to have as they do have alternatives for the rare cases they can't go outdoors.

(08-09-2015, 12:19 PM)Wes Mantooth Wrote: CINCINNATI—Quarterback Andy Dalton did not practice Wednesday due to a bout with the flu.

Head coach Marvin Lewis said after practice that Dalton was sent home and it wasn’t a big deal.
The only other practice Dalton has missed this season was Sept. 14, which was three days after he hurt his wrist during the first half of the season opener at Cleveland. Dalton did practice though the following day and then threw for 332 yards and two touchdowns in a loss at Denver.


Notes: Considering the cold temperatures, many thought the Bengals might practice at the University of Cincinnati's indoor facility, especially with the roof expected to be closed at Reliant Stadium. Instead, they stayed outdoors at Paul Brown Stadium, where the wind chill on Wednesday was a balmy 22 degrees. Two years ago, when the team was preparing for its playoff game against the Jets, they practiced for two days at Wall to Wall in Mason. Temperatures were a bit colder then. Still, the cold temps of the past couple days did elicit some reactions from players. Wide receiver A.J. Green said this was the coldest weather he has practiced in by far

-------------

I know when I have the flu I love being out in 22 degree weather for extended periods of times. I think everybody does.  I know when I had a 102 fever and was puking all the time I just went outside on my deck for a couple hours and felt so much better.

Definitely a good idea to have your starting QB out in the cold getting over an illness.  And always nice to hear your marquee name, one of the games elite, commenting on how it's coldest weather he's ever played in.  I'm sure he just mentioned that cuz he really liked it.  Yeah, that's it.  No way was he uncomfortable, and if he wasn't, who cares?  Eff him, am I right?  What a baby.

(08-09-2015, 12:27 PM)Luvnit2 Wrote: LOL

The flu that has been proven to not have any bearing to temperature exposure

The flu that we all get normally once a year or 2

Come on, you can better than that. I could care less about the environment I am in when I get the floor bad enough. If I am that sick, I am smart enough to control exposure to others and stay away from people.

Ben R. also has had some flu issues, but it was a game outside and guess what he played. It was against us.
http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/156511/ben-roethlisberger-impresses-teammates-with-gritty-effort-in-critical-win

(08-09-2015, 12:47 PM)Wes Mantooth Wrote: I didn't say the cold caused it, did I?  I said it's probably not ideal for someone who has it, or is getting over it, to be outside for extended periods.  At the very least, it would be very uncomfortable.

Being cold sucks balls.  Being cold getting over an illness sucks bigger balls.  Whether you're being paid 10 bucks an hour or making 10 mil a year this doesn't change for most people.

I, for one, want my players to both comfortable and happy.  I want them to feel like they're given every reasonable resource and luxury.   Call me crazy for wanting this, and call me crazier for thinking it's reasonable.

(08-09-2015, 12:55 PM)Luvnit2 Wrote: We have been through many times and it is a huge stretch to say having a facility will help us win a Super Bowl.

(08-09-2015, 01:05 PM)Wes Mantooth Wrote: I didn't say that.  I don't recall anyone, ever saying that.

My position is simply that it would help us.  Nothing more, nothing less.  Like I said, we can debate how much help that means forever.  We can debate if it's more for morale, or appearances, or for getting consistent reps.  I'm not sure there is anyway to quantify many of those things, or prove their worth.

All I know is it would be helpful to have one.  Even if only from a time-saving perspective.  And for a team worth over a billion dollars, a facility that costs somewhere around what you paid Antonio Bryant, Lavernous Coles and James Harrison (total = roughly 20 mil), each for one year, seems like an absolutely no brainer.

Hell, Carson offered to pay for it himself.  A player.  It's not a huge expense, especially since Hamilton County footed your entire stadium cost, and just threw in another 80% of the upgrades so many of you applaud.

(08-09-2015, 01:19 PM)McC Wrote: Who knows?  Maybe the all hallowed practice bubble will be next.  They have crossed a lot of stuff off the list of things for fans to complain about.  There is still a list, yes.  But it has gotten and continues to get smaller. 

The title of the thread is our way's not good enough.  This is a significant acknowledgement.  There is work being done.

One can focus on how small the list has gotten or the things still on it.  It's all in the point of view.

(08-09-2015, 11:41 AM)Shake n Blake Wrote: Some people get their panties in a bunch when people complain about legitimate issues. Your post is proof of that.

A thread talking about Marv admitting that the team needs to do better is obviously going to draw positive AND negative comments.

Why do you have such a huge problem with that? 

(08-09-2015, 03:30 PM)Beaker Wrote: Because up to my post, the negatives far outweigh the positives. Negativity stinks. It is a useless outlook on life and is energy draining.You certainly dont have to be a cheerleader about everything, but to be constantly negative is just tiring and helps nothing. ML recognizing (and verbalizing) that things need changing is a good thing.

(08-09-2015, 03:30 PM)Beaker Wrote: Because up to my post, the negatives far outweigh the positives. Negativity stinks. It is a useless outlook on life and is energy draining.You certainly dont have to be a cheerleader about everything, but to be constantly negative is just tiring and helps nothing. ML recognizing (and verbalizing) that things need changing is a good thing.

(08-09-2015, 11:37 AM)treee Wrote: I really don't care about anything anyone says in this organization anymore. It's the same talk year in and year out. I just don't care. Get some damn results or shut up until you do.

(08-08-2015, 12:31 PM)Bengalholic Wrote: Marvin Lewis leading shakeup

The players here are sporting "Bengals Revival" T-shirts, and as head coach Marvin Lewis explained to me, it's the outgrowth of an effort he started with his staff at the end of the 2014 season. He wanted them to evaluate everything -- similar to the way he did in 2011 -- and shake things up. As part of that, the Bengals doubled the size of their weight room, added a dining area and redid the players' lounge. "We kinda restarted things," Lewis explained. "And I told the coaches after last season, 'We gotta find a different way.' Our way's not good enough. We gotta find a different way. And we gotta push all the time. I think the guys have done a good job, the players have done a nice job of responding to that. They know that. They know that here is not where we want to be. We want to end up at the top." The obvious inference that can be drawn, of course, is that it'll take a little more to get out of the first round of the playoffs, where the team's past four seasons have ended. Lewis continued, "Every step, the organization has done a great job in putting the guys in position to do these things. Now we've gotta capitalize on it and get it done."

Full article @ NFL.Com

(08-09-2015, 09:54 AM)Luvnit2 Wrote: My bad if the Steelers share facilities and they don't have to bus to the indoor practice area.

I thought differently.

So, is the Steelers every day practice field also in walking distance to Heinz field so they are close by weight rooms, meeting rooms, break areas and so on?

(08-10-2015, 12:48 AM)J24 Wrote: They spend the entire practice week at the facilities where they have weight rooms, break areas, meeting rooms, and so on.