The Baltimore Ravens have been practicing at Tulane University this week, but they have had enough of the school's hard artificial turf. They will be moving locations to the Saints' practice facility on Thursday, which promises to be much higher quality than what the Conference USA Green Wave use. The move means both Super Bowl teams will be practicing in the same place, according to Sports Illustrated.
Super Bowl 2013: Ravens switch practice fields
The Ravens were displeased with their practice location, so they changed it. Practice-gate?
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The turf at Tulane's practice field apparently is causing some extra aches and pains for the Ravens, and some are worried about serious injury. The facility isn't the size that the Ravens are accustomed to either, limiting what they can do to prepare for the 49ers. Ray Lewis was asked for comment on the field, and he said he is glad to be moving:
“It’s a baseball field, it’s really tight, and when you stop and start, you feel it,” Lewis said. “It’s especially tough for the older guys. I know the other players, on that hard surface, they feel it.
“I don’t think (the NFL) thought it would be a problem. The last thing you want is anything that makes your players ache. You want to do the opposite.”
As Sports Illustrated detailed, the NFL made sure to test the turf at the facility, and they found it to be within the league’s standards. The Ravens didn’t agree, and they won’t have to use the field again.
The turf wasn’t the only issue, as the Ravens also had to deal with weather. The 49ers have had no such problem. Dealing with wind won’t do much good, as the game will be played in the Superdome.
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