Yesterday, we took a look at Miami Dolphins' Head Coach Tony Sparano's comments about building a home field advantage with a large crowd, one part of his statements jumped out. Not because Sparano was wrong, or because he blamed the lack of large crowds on anything except the team's lack of winning. The problem, however, is Sparano's statement completely contradicts the Dolphins' owner, Stephen Ross.
On Wednesday, Sparano said:
"Yeah, there should be an advantage. It probably is more at one o'clock in the afternoon, but should be an advantage. We've playing a game at whatever time, seven o'clock at night. It'll be hot for both teams, but it won't be one o'clock hot, so that's part of [it], I think, that should be an advantage too."
So, according to Sparano, the fact that Miami only has one 1pm home game in September or October (Week 7, October 23, against the Denver Broncos) does not help establish the home field advantage he wants.
But, why do the Dolphins have so few early games at the start of the season?
Because Ross requested the NFL give the Dolphins fewer early games at the start of the season:
"Our goal is to have as few games at 1pm in the early part of the season as possible. We've let the league know that. Last year [2009] was a great schedule. If I can duplicate that schedule we've done a great job...
"The fact is when you see you're winning, but still see empty orange seats, and they [the fans] really want to be there, which would you choose? I like night games, four o'clock games, that kind of stuff earlier in the year...We've let the league know we'd prefer not to have one o'clock game early in September...it makes for better football fans when you're there and watching the game."
As Matty I pointed out in his article about the Dolphins wanting more 4pm games, back in March 2010:
"Playing in the heat and humidity of 1 pm games is an advantage the Dolphins have enjoyed in September and October for years. And I do think it benefits the Dolphins. But now Ross wants to remove that natural home-field advantage. And for what? Ticket sales? Money? Really?
"Here's the bottom line. When this franchise was a contender year after year, they didn't have any problems selling out home games - even those early season 1 pm games out in the hot South Florida sun. This decision, in my opinion, is not in the best interest of the team."
And, now, it appears Sparano agrees with the need for 1pm games in Miami. Will the Dolphins revoke the request to the NFL, and essentially ask for more 1pm games? Will this cause a problem, having the coach appear to openly disagree with the owner's policy?
Finally, does the time of game really affect your decision to go or not? Would you decide to stay home because you think the game at 1pm is too hot? Vote in the poll to let us know.