Game Journal: Cardinals at Redskins, 9/21/2008

Back in the preseason Mark Newgent of Redskins Examiner invited me to the Bills game, I was unable to attend and asked him to keep me in mind for future games, he is a second year season ticket holder. A week ago he gave me a heads up on extra tickets he had for the Cardinals game three, I said hell yes and dragged my Swarthmoron neighbors Bill and Paul and we made a day of it. Terrific weather, a great game, a great win and new friends, we had a hell of a time. Mark has already posted his gameday cycloramas here and here.

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Mark had the tickets and parking passes, our assignment was food and liquor, after making breakfast for my family I ran to Safeway to pick up four of those great big sub sandwiches that take so long to make, chips, some water and batteries for my camera.



Paul and Bill arriving around 10am, Paul has margaritas and ice, Bill has bourbon. Paul has a giant inflatable Redskin he used to put out on gameday and Bill's is the place we usually watch Redskins games on his fat media rig.


We caught Metro yellow line at Huntington, Bill and Paul do not often ride the Metro anymore, I use it at least three time a week. We were heading to New Carrolton on the orange line.


The random Redskins fans we sat with on the Metro, they were going to find a tailgate to crash. The Metro was packed with Redskins fans.


District of Columbia Department of Health public service announcement on the Metro, note the Redskins colors. Right click the image to open at full size, the cough into your elbow image is hilarious and that is mayor Adrian Fenty getting a pretend flu shot. Cough into your elbow lol.


Picture from the Metro car, Cheverly station on the orange line, the sign says in reverse no Redskins shuttle from this station, something they have to remind people of now since shuttle service was shitcanned.

We met Mark in the lot at New Carrolton, it was the first time Mark and I had met in person, he is a great guy. The fans were pouring into the parking lots and it took us 20 minutes to get deep enough to find a spot. I will digress for a moment here and say the team needs to do a better job of lot management. I love a tailgate as much as the next guy, as we sat there in intralot gridlock there were dozens of full spaces taken up by tailgaters. I love a tailgate as much as the next guy, the team should charge for that second tailgate space or else not let people take up two spaces at the edge of the lots.


View of Redskins Stadium from our spot. The weather was excellent, bordering on a tad too hot.


Paul, Mark & Bill, we arrived with about an hour to tailgate.


The writers themselves. Mark and I both wear Santana Moss, perhaps we are more alike than different.


When one goes to wait in line to get into a Redskins game one never knows if it will be two minutes or twenty so some people bring a drink for the line. This guy brought a box of wine, he was faced with chugging it before getting to security. Franzia Sunset fucking Blush. No wonder other fans think of Redskins fans as effete brie eaters. This wine chug is nicely paired with a wonderful Chris Cooley.


Section 444 row 28, 9:08 left first quarter, Redskins ball first and goal on the Cardinals five yard line. Two plays later it was Clinton Portis for a touchdown.


Bill and Mark both brought binoculars, at this altitude they very much enhance the game experience.


10:10 left second quarter, Redskins ball first and ten on the Washington 29.


Second quarter whiskey break. The Joe Theismann jerseys make me laugh.


Teh party tents. Very exclusive.


The random girl we talked to on the whiskey break.


The hats are legitimately on sideways against the sun to nonetheless hilarious effect. Pair it with the white jersey stretched over the knees on a hot day and you can see we do it differently in the upper decks.


A Pat Tillman jersey, one of literally five Cardinals jerseys I saw all day.


1:53 left third quarter, game tied 17 all, on the previous play Kurt Warner had hooked up with Larry Fitzgerald for 62 yards, strong safety Reed Doughty was badly beaten on the play and was benched for the rest of the game.


1:38 left third quarter, Devin Thomas catching a seven yard pass to the right from Jason Campbell. Devin did not even interfere with the defender, get Guinness.


A Bruce Smith jersey? Really?


This is as close to the action as my teeny tiny Nikon point and shoot gets to the action, third quarter.


Bill and Mark. Bill's binocs were truly awsum, marine grade, sealed lenses, they float and have a heads up compass projected into the view shot.

At this point the game is still tied 17 all, then Carlos Rogers:


Yes I happened to have the camera up and recording video on this play, I love it when that happens. YouTube here.



The game in hand for the Redskins, Cardinals fans leave the stadium to a cascade of good natured boos. YouTube here.


After the game, another look at how close Mark's seats are to the very top of the stadium. As I say though, any seat inside is the best seat in the house.


After the game, the Redskins four Super Bowl flags plus the team flag.


What are the chances I would see someone wearing a shirt with one of the political candidates for president at this game? Weerd.


Redskins fans leaving the stadium happy for a change.


We Want Dallas! YouTube here.


Napkin dispenser at a condiment station on the ground level. Note the second game on the home schedule, Phoenix Cardinals? An easy mistake, anyone could make it considering the team changed from the Phoenix Cardinals to the Arizona Cardinals only 15 years ago.


A couple of Matt Leinart fans trying to keep a low profile after the game.

Back out in the lot we took the long way back to Mark's car.


Suh weet Bentley dude, anyone know who ESB the fourth is?


Redskins tent top, Redskins camp chairs, everyone in a Redskins jersey, Redskins themed van at left, see next image.


Bill in front of the Redskins themed van.


The all Redskins interior of the Redskins themed van. Might even be too much Redskins for me.


These guys got the tailgate fired back up immediately, note the Redskins logo inside the back door of the van. Also smart on these guys, note the proximity to the porta potty.


Mark, Bill and Paul, we broke out cigars to celebrate the victory. And whiskey.


Paul and Bill, note Paul's true vintage 1987 Super Bowl 22 shirt, Doug Williams, the last Redskins number 17 and Timmy Smith, just out of jail for dealing totaine in March.


This guy had mouse pad sized Sean Taylor flat magnets, I bought one, it is currently on my refrigerator. As much as the wife loves Sean and the Redskins, my wife is making me move it elsewhere.


My Blogger Deathsport picks for the week. Not a great week for me.


Finishing the last round before heading home, our host Mark Newgent of Redskins Examiner. Thanks again Mark, I hope we can do this again.


Redskins fans leaving the stadium.


On the Metro orange line on the way home, Bill is checking scores in the other games of the day on his iPhone.

Taking the orange line home we had to switch at L'Enfant Plaza. There were at least two full bladders and we were not in a huge hurry so we got out to find a bathroom.


After relieving ourselves we took a moment to enjoy the view of the US Capitol.


Me and Bill, by Paul. We got back on the Metro and went home.

Not pictured: getting home to find out the wife had already put all three kids to bed thereby freeing me for evening football; rewatching the entire Redskins-Cardinals game at Bill's and writing the Curly R gamewrap half in the bag; watching the Cowboys-Packers game and being a little bummed about how good Dallas is; ending the night playing Rock Band 2 until waaay to late.

A great game, a great day, Hail to the Redskins. I leave you with the final seconds of the game, capturing the mood at the end of this big Redskins win. YouTube here.






All photos and video by me.