TK Posted October 29, 2003 Share Posted October 29, 2003 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A30990-2003Oct28.html 2008 Super Bowl Site Is Set for a Vote By Mark Maske Washington Post Staff Writer Wednesday, October 29, 2003; Page D06 The owners of the NFL's 32 teams are scheduled to vote to select a host city for the 2008 Super Bowl on Thursday. Phoenix is regarded by some league executives as a strong favorite, but the leaders of Washington's bid to host the event remain convinced that they have a good shot. Owners began gathering in Chicago yesterday for a set of meetings in which there are few other major issues on the agenda. The finalists, Washington, Phoenix and Tampa, are scheduled to give presentations to host the 2008 game, the next available Super Bowl. Commissioner Paul Tagliabue raised the possibility of awarding a Super Bowl to Washington or New York in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. New York, however, has dropped out of the running for the 2008 game. Many owners have remained resistant to putting the Super Bowl in a cold-weather city with an outdoor stadium. But Washington Redskins owner Daniel Snyder has continued to lobby hard for the 2008 game to be played at FedEx Field. People involved with Washington's bid say they believe the city is on nearly equal footing with Phoenix heading into the presentations, and a nudge of support from Tagliabue during these meetings perhaps could give D.C. the game. Tagliabue, though, has said he would not choose sides. Arizona Cardinals owner Bill Bidwill is not a favorite of the other owners, but his franchise does have a state-of-the-art stadium under construction. The next four Super Bowls will be played in Houston, Jacksonville, Detroit and Miami. New York removed itself from consideration for the 2008 game but intends to bid to host a future Super Bowl at a renovated Giants Stadium. Washington also would remain on the list of contenders for subsequent Super Bowls if it is not awarded the 2008 game. The owners plan to have their first formal discussion of the possibility of shortening the exhibition season, an issue that was raised this year after several key players -- including quarterbacks Michael Vick of the Atlanta Falcons and Chad Pennington of the New York Jets -- suffered serious injuries during preseason games. But no vote is scheduled on that matter. They also are slated to have further discussions on the prospects of placing one or more franchises in the Los Angeles area as soon as the 2006 season. Bengals' Lewis Makes Progress Marvin Lewis is making a difference with the Cincinnati Bengals. Lewis lost his first three games as a head coach after taking over the downtrodden franchise. But the Bengals have won three of their past four games -- including a 27-24 triumph over the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday -- and have a chance to move to 4-4 if they can beat Arizona on Sunday. It was a long road for Lewis, the league's highest-paid assistant coach last season while serving as the Redskins' defensive coordinator, to land his first head-coaching job after near-misses in Buffalo, Carolina and Tampa Bay. But he isn't gloating about a 3-4 record. And he isn't allowing his players to feel complacent about a game against the 2-5 Cardinals, especially with Arizona coming off a 16-13 overtime win over the San Francisco 49ers. "Both teams had each other circled when the schedule came out," Lewis said. "They circled us. There is no reason to be overconfident. They circled us and said, 'Oh, here come the Bengals. Circle that 'W.' " . . . Lewis immediately became the center of attention when the Bengals hired him. His picture was on billboards around town and on the cover of the media guide. He gave the franchise some credibility, as the coordinator of the defense that carried the Baltimore Ravens to a Super Bowl title in the 2000 season. But he also was set up to fail. The Bengals have been woefully undermanned in the front office and haven't had a winning record since 1990, going 2-14 last season under Dick LeBeau. Lewis took the approach that he would not try to fix everything at once but would seek some upgrades from team president Mike Brown, then try to win and gradually seek more improvements. He said he didn't want players who didn't want to be in Cincinnati, and backed that up in the offseason by allowing linebacker Takeo Spikes to depart for the Buffalo Bills as a free agent -- after the Bengals made him their transition player, giving them the right to keep Spikes by matching any offer -- when Spikes said he'd prefer to leave. That policy was tested last week when perpetually disgruntled tailback Corey Dillon said he wanted to be traded. But with the trade deadline passed, Lewis had little choice but to welcome Dillon back -- even after Rudi Johnson ran for 101 yards Sunday in place of Dillon, who was on the game-day inactive list after being involved in an auto accident on his way to the stadium. Lewis has left top draft choice Carson Palmer on the bench while starting quarterback Jon Kitna has played surprisingly well. The Bengals have a turnover margin of plus-four this season after being a combined minus-45 over the previous five seasons. Buccaneers Bounce Back The Buccaneers regained some of their swagger after beating Dallas, 16-0. After the defending Super Bowl champions improved their record to 4-3, defensive tackle Warren Sapp said: "When they dial up these playoffs, no one is going to want to be facing the world champs. Believe me." It has been a turbulent season for the Buccaneers, losing games while Sapp has battled the league office. Wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson's agent criticized Coach Jon Gruden last week over his client's lack of involvement in the offense, and Johnson called Cowboys Coach Bill Parcells the best coach for whom he has played. But Johnson caught a touchdown pass Sunday, and later called his level of involvement in the offense "fine'' because the Bucs won. The Tampa defense overcame a rash of injuries in its secondary to pitch its second shutout and Sapp even sacked Cowboys quarterback Quincy Carter after losing his helmet to Dallas guard Larry Allen on a play. "I told him he could have the helmet," Sapp said. "I wanted the sack." . . . The Miami Dolphins have a genuine quarterback controversy after Brian Griese, subbing for injured starter Jay Fiedler, completed 20 of 29 passes for 192 yards and three touchdowns in Monday night's 26-10 triumph over the San Diego Chargers. After the game, Coach Dave Wannstedt said he would name a starter for Sunday's game against the Indianapolis Colts later in the week. . . . Many league executives think this season will be the final go-around for coaches Marty Schottenheimer of the 1-6 Chargers and Dan Reeves of the 1-6 Atlanta Falcons. Schottenheimer reportedly could be heard through the locker room doors screaming, "This is embarrassing!" at his players at halftime Monday night. © 2003 The Washington Post Company Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAC Posted October 29, 2003 Share Posted October 29, 2003 So, is it too early to buy tickets? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gridironmike Posted October 29, 2003 Share Posted October 29, 2003 Season ticket holders get a small amount of tickets for the Super Bowl, don't they? That would be nice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heavy Jumbo Posted October 29, 2003 Share Posted October 29, 2003 As nice as it would be to have the Super Bowl in DC, I really don't think it would happen because of the weather. I don't think all of the owners would be in favor of playing in an outdoor stadium, in January, and in a cold part of the country. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red&BlueRivalry Posted October 29, 2003 Share Posted October 29, 2003 I hope DC gets the Super Bowl. It's bad enough how the Super Bowl is littered with corporate types and not much of a hardcore fan base for both teams. Add some excitement, play it in the snow. Bring back the days of the Ice Bowl. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SlobberknockerSkinsFan Posted October 29, 2003 Share Posted October 29, 2003 Originally posted by Red&BlueRivalry I hope DC gets the Super Bowl. It's bad enough how the Super Bowl is littered with corporate types and not much of a hardcore fan base for both teams. Add some excitement, play it in the snow. Bring back the days of the Ice Bowl. I must agree. Football is a game that is SUPPOSED to be played in inclement weather isn't it? Geez, what is this now a fairweather sport.... :doh: HAIL TO THE REDSKINS HAIL VICTORY :notworthy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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