University of Washington - Husky Stadium

The Broncos and Seahawks praised FieldTurf, a grasslike artificial surface, for how well it held up during a gamelong rain at Husky Stadium. "That grass was incredible--the best field I ever played on. It's better than grass. No ruts. They ought to install that field at every stadium.

Review: turf's up They played two exhibition games on the new turf at Husky Stadium, but still the Seahawks were unsure about the synthetic playing surface that supposedly looks and feels like natural grass. But yesterday was the litmus test for the players, and the Seahawks gave the turf positive reviews. "It's better than grass," guard Pete Kendall said. "I was very skeptical at first. But after playing in Miami (a week ago), I feel better now than I do after playing on the grass down there. For me, this seals the deal. It's a godsend.

Denver Broncos players will notice two major differences Sunday when they play on the road against the Seattle Seahawks: the decibel level and the artificial surface. While the Seahawks are awaiting construction of their new stadium, they are playing this season and next at Husky Stadium where Field Turf is used. "It's not quite as loud as the Kingdome, but I know it can be, having played there in college," Broncos defensive end Harald Hasselbach said. "I'm looking forward to playing on that revolutionary turf." Field Turf is used at the Family Fun Center down the street from where the Broncos train. "I really like it in there," Hasselbach said. "It's a pretty good surface, a far cry better than the regular (artificial) turf."

TURF TALK While the rains fell, and fell, and fell on Sunday, one thing never changed: The condition of the field. The Seahawks are playing in the University of Washington's Husky Stadium for two seasons until their new outdoor stadium is completed in 2002. The latest in artificial turf, something called Field Turf, was installed at Husky Stadium before this season. The turf, actually the color of real grass, uses longer synthetic blades of grass and silica sand and ground rubber as a base to give it a more natural feel. Not a single play seemed affected by the condition of the field. "The Field Turf was great," said Denver receiver Rod Smith. "That stuff should be in every stadium - indoor or outdoor."