DMN Blog: Cowboys expecting horrible conditions at Heinz Field

by Tim MacMahon

Heinz Field had a new grass surface put in before last week's West Virginia-Pitt game, but the Cowboys are still expecting the worst when they play is what is forecasted to be a wintry mix Sunday. A late-season grass installation last year was a complete disaster.

"It's the worst field in the league," backup NT Tank Johnson said. "At some point in the next few years, I think they're going to have to go to something different. It's a homefield advantage for them. It's slippery, it's sloppy."

Tank made it clear that the Cowboys weren't making excuses. They're just getting themselves mentally prepared for poor conditions, although today's practice was indoors.

TE Jason Witten mentioned how important the running game would be on a bad field. He's optimistic that Marion Barber would be available to bang away despite a bum toe.

"Marion's one of the toughest guys I've seen or I've played with," Witten said. "I would be surprised if he doesn't go. That's not to put pressure on him. I just know his mentality."