1. This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Learn More.

Dolphin Stadium Atmosphere?

Discussion in 'Miami Dolphins Forum' started by AquaBlitz, Dec 20, 2007.

  1. AquaBlitz

    AquaBlitz Active Member

    275
    117
    43
    Dec 20, 2007
    I've been to Dolphin Stadium 3 times(In the late 90's) and the atmosphere was great. Now a days though a lot of the rumblings I hear is that the atmosphere of Dolphin Stadium is average. It never is really a true sell-out anymore and a lot of the fans that are there and the so called "snow birds"

    I'd love to get the opinion of a Dolphin fan who's been to the games this year to let me know what the atmospheres been like. I know professional sports are a hard sell in Florida but Tampa Bay has a ridiculous atmosphere(I saw a game this year in RJS)

    Thanks a lot.
     
  2. Awsi Dooger

    Awsi Dooger New Member

    111
    1
    0
    Nov 26, 2007
    There's a reason it's ideal for neutral site games.

    Let's just put it this way, when I'm watching all the games simultaneously in Las Vegas, there literally isn't a week that goes by without a tourist commenting in amazement at how far away the stands are from the field. Then inevitably someone who has been to the stadium will chirp in regarding the lack of frenzied fan support, largely due to the ignorant design of the stadium.

    Admittedly, that someone is often me, but I'm not always alone. :)

    I despise the place. Nowadays stadiums are designed with crowd impact in mind, like UCF's stadium or what Paul Allen did with the Seahawk venue. Joe Robbie found a cheap track of land and built an outdated multipurpose facility in the late '80s, during a period multipurpose stadiums already were being phased out. They were in vogue during the early '70s. It may have so-called modern amenities but that is laughably irrelevant, IMO. Even the upgrades are designed to remove fans from their seats for significant stretches, which is the last thing a home team needs during heated battle.

    Every time we step on the field we're stuck with a stadium that doesn't allow us to maximize potential. Anyone who denies that hasn't spoken to oddsmakers, as I have for 2+ decades. They study home field advantage based on many categories and the Dolphins have declined dramatically in that regard since relocating from the Orange Bowl. Same thing to lesser degree with the Canes beginning in '08.
     
  3. Desides

    Desides Well-Known Member

    38,949
    20,033
    113
    Nov 28, 2007
    Pembroke Pines, FL
    It'll be interesting to see what happens with the crowd seating after the Marlins leave the stadium.
     
  4. Section126

    Section126 We are better than you. Luxury Box

    47,525
    72,483
    113
    Dec 20, 2007
    Miami, Florida

    Have you been to Dolphin Stadium?
     
  5. schmolioot

    schmolioot Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    26,254
    17,386
    113
    Dec 3, 2007
    Orlando
    Awsi,

    As a season ticket holder, I agree that I wish the seats were closer to the field. Joe Robbie built the stadium the way he did because he wanted to attract baseball/soccer, etc., to the So. Fla. area. I can't really blame him. He was a visionary who believed that Miami/Ft. Lauderdale could be a major league town.

    Anyway, as to the atmosphere...for big games, it rocks like anywhere else. The Monday nighter against Denver after they started 13-1, the playoff game against the Colts in 2000, Danny v. Montana in the playoffs were spectacular in terms of atmosphere.

    Also, I have travelled to away games in several venues, including Texas Stadium, Qualcomm, Giants Stadium, Alltell and Heinz field. They were all great but the fans were not as crazy as you would think. Heinz field was surprisingly not that loud, although the sight lines are fantastic and the downtown location is fantastic.
     
  6. dolfan561

    dolfan561 New Member

    8
    0
    0
    Nov 30, 2007
    Palm Beach
    I've been wondering the same thing...do you think they'll make and attempt to bring fans closer to the field? I'm am so jealous how close the fans are to the field in Buffalo and Dallas ect
     
  7. schmolioot

    schmolioot Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    26,254
    17,386
    113
    Dec 3, 2007
    Orlando
    I don't think it's possible without gutting the entire interior of the bowl. It may not even be feasible from an engineering standpoint.
     
  8. djphinfan

    djphinfan Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    111,648
    67,540
    113
    Dec 20, 2007
    what a phenominal post awsi dooger, all incredibly valid points, if i may take it even to another level, is that our stadium configuration is as much responsible for our demise then anything.
    players need different elements to perform at their highest level, if their not excited and getting energy from our fans which the stadium prohibits from happening they are not going to be able to play at the level that a team can play with when they DO have that type of energy.

    IT was a collassal mistake by the suits, and it should be talked about RIGHT NOW on how to rectify the situation.

    I consider myself a great dolfan and this bothers me more then anything, i wish someone was smart enough to identify the problem without trivializing it
     
  9. Desides

    Desides Well-Known Member

    38,949
    20,033
    113
    Nov 28, 2007
    Pembroke Pines, FL
    I hope so. There's no reason not to: they won't have to worry about reconfiguring the field for baseball and football any longer.

    They also need to install FieldTurf immediately. Having the Dolphins, Marlins, and Hurricanes sharing the same field is going to wear down the grass pretty quickly.
     
  10. djphinfan

    djphinfan Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    111,648
    67,540
    113
    Dec 20, 2007
    I also truly believe that we need to update our uniforms, i know alot of you disagree but the time has come, i watched the tape of the bills game and just kept thinking to myself how weak and ridiculous we looked in all off white, in the snow, if you where weak colors you will play as such, I really like that new navy blue stuff that we have been seeing alot
     
  11. fins1

    fins1 Sect 145 Row 20

    1,419
    220
    63
    Nov 25, 2007
    Port Orange, Fl
    The atmosphere was rocking at the end of the ravens game.
     
  12. Section126

    Section126 We are better than you. Luxury Box

    47,525
    72,483
    113
    Dec 20, 2007
    Miami, Florida
    yeah...they looked weak all those years they were winning championships and posting winning season after winning season with the same colored uniforms.:001_rolleyes:
     
  13. djphinfan

    djphinfan Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    111,648
    67,540
    113
    Dec 20, 2007
    thats your opinion, in my opinion your just another that just does'nt get it. no use trying to debate it.
     
  14. joker2thief

    joker2thief New Member

    121
    10
    0
    Nov 24, 2007
    Along the Watchtower
    for the couple thousands of us who stayed.
     
  15. djphinfan

    djphinfan Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    111,648
    67,540
    113
    Dec 20, 2007
    also remember my friend the meaning of this thread, those winning years that you are reffering to took place in a very special stadium, THE ORANGE BOWL..... I REST MY CASE!!!
     
  16. Coral Reefer

    Coral Reefer Premium Member

    10,281
    5,232
    113
    Nov 25, 2007
    Back in Miami
    No you're not alone in that and I agree completely with everything you've said.

    I've always despised the stadium as well.
    The Seahawks stadium is my favorite and one aspect that did in fact factor into the finished product was maximizing the home crowd.
     
  17. Coral Reefer

    Coral Reefer Premium Member

    10,281
    5,232
    113
    Nov 25, 2007
    Back in Miami
    Yep.

    I love when the "we need scary colors and a mean dolphin" to win threads come up. Silly.
     
  18. djphinfan

    djphinfan Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    111,648
    67,540
    113
    Dec 20, 2007
    its not about that man, your insulting my intelligence, i could say the same for someone who does'nt understand the importance of a new beginning, let me guess, you were a fan when we won it all
     
  19. fins1

    fins1 Sect 145 Row 20

    1,419
    220
    63
    Nov 25, 2007
    Port Orange, Fl
    Hey we are the ones who make it loud anyways. DIEHARD BABY:ffic:
     
  20. PhinFantic

    PhinFantic New Member

    277
    7
    0
    Dec 12, 2007
    New Jersey
    AMEN to that ! I grew up in Miami and lived there about half my life. I've been living in New Jersey now for about 20 years. THE ORANGE BOWL is just a once in a lifetime experience, and only the people that went to the games know what the experience is like. I went to many Phins and Hurricane games too many to detail. I miss that stadium so much !
     
  21. sabanhater

    sabanhater New Member

    327
    12
    0
    Nov 27, 2007
    Philadelphia
    I come down to Miami every year to watch a game, and noticed that everyone wears orange.
    it's never a packed house.
     
  22. Awsi Dooger

    Awsi Dooger New Member

    111
    1
    0
    Nov 26, 2007
    Here's a thing I forgot to mention about Dolphin Stadium. An opposing team flies into Miami International. The heart of the major city is right there, and also to the south and east. But to get to the stadium you head north and west, smack towards the Everglades. No one can tell me that's not somewhat less influential. I've been to dozens of venues and the ones that jump out as intimidating are in the middle of college campuses, or NFL venues in the city proper. You feel like the entire school or entire city is against you.

    At Dolphin Stadium it's a leisurely drive to nowhere. What is the opponent terrified of, runaway horses from nearby Calder? It's a farce of a location and the bland design and concrete foundation only makes it worse.
     
  23. MelbournePhin

    MelbournePhin New Member

    3,253
    419
    0
    Nov 30, 2007
    melbourne,fl
    correct me if im wrong, but didnt we have some darn good home records in the 10-6 days. We were locks to win at home those days.
     
  24. dolfan561

    dolfan561 New Member

    8
    0
    0
    Nov 30, 2007
    Palm Beach
    :no::no:
    Remember when September home games were automatic wins
     
  25. shouright

    shouright Banned

    22,845
    8,861
    0
    Dec 13, 2007
    Actually they probably fly into Ft. Lauderdale, but that only supports your point. ;)
     
  26. dolfan_uk

    dolfan_uk Member

    87
    1
    0
    Dec 2, 2007
    London UK
    i traveled fromt he Uk to Miami vs Buffalo, The attendance was pretty good considering a lot of games over the last few years have been a little quiet.

    I was pleased with the turnout, but there were a lot of bills fans in there
    [​IMG]
     
  27. FinsNCanes

    FinsNCanes New Member

    13
    0
    0
    Dec 12, 2007
    What always makes me laugh at the TV is the fact that they say these stadiums are always packed (for certain teams they are) but alot of these stadiums can probably only hold 65k. I know everytime that stupid questionare on the board comes across at the games it's always hovering around 70k..atleast the few handful of times I've been there. Do we have actually one of the larger (seating wise) stadiums in the NFL?

    It's not like we've done anything in nearly 10 years anyways. Can't really expect people to show...and who cares what the "Scary scenario" looks like on the way to the stadium? How about just moving it out of the ghetto so it's more presentable?
     
  28. Believerinteal

    Believerinteal New Member

    47
    2
    0
    Dec 4, 2007
    Toronto, Canada
    I think so.

    I know this might sound confusing but the size of the stands are pretty much the same as most other stadiums, correct? Well if you move the sideline seating back like 60 ft. from the field, you’d get the shape of Dolphins Stadium. If you do that, the perimeter of the stadium will also increase, therefore if you moved those exact same seats back, you’d have empty space leftover which would have to be filled with even more seats.
     
  29. black_child

    black_child Banned

    23
    0
    0
    Dec 21, 2007
    then finally it'll be a football stadium... I think we just need a completely new stadium all together
     
  30. dolfan_uk

    dolfan_uk Member

    87
    1
    0
    Dec 2, 2007
    London UK
    theres not much wrong with the stadium. Its World Class. Its Held Mroe Superbowls than any other, Thats for a reason.

    Philly stadium sux. they also have standing sections lol.

    If our stadium was to the brim every game, and therre were more trying to get in, then yes put in extra seats, make it bigger. or whatever. Not Until.

    Thats from a business standpoint too.

    Heres philly stadium when I saw the Fins - Eagles this year too.

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
  31. dolfan32323

    dolfan32323 ty xphinfanx

    12,587
    1,574
    113
    Nov 27, 2007
    Washington DC
    love the flag
     
  32. Dtronic

    Dtronic Season Tickets Sec. 150

    431
    63
    0
    Dec 7, 2007
    Cape Coral FL
    I'll let you know how the stadium is. I just put my deposit down for season tickets for 2008 :thumbup:
     
    Last edited: Dec 22, 2007

Share This Page