In Massachusetts, Kevin Duffy noted the Patriots' FieldTurf at Gillette Stadium once again has "caused some concern." The team replaced the old turf after its Week 1 game, but members of the Panthers now are "voicing their displeasure" with the surface after Sunday's game. The NFLPA also "sent a field expert to evaluate the new turf prior to the team's Week 3 game versus the Texans." The expert "reportedly found that the new turf was very soft and posed a possible safety risk" (MASSLIVE.com, 10/4). In Charlotte, Joseph Person notes Panthers S Demetrious Cox "blamed the artificial surface" after he "sprained his ankle" Sunday. Cox: "My foot just got caught in the turf funny and then it twisted. It was really soft. Guys kept saying that their feet were getting caught” (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 10/5).
BAYOU MAKEOVER: In Baton Rouge, Ross Dellenger reported more details emerged Thursday "regarding the sweeping renovations and additions coming to LSU's football operations building." The school is "extensively sprucing up the 12-year-old center" and renovations "could span more than a year," starting Jan. 1 and ending by June 30, 2019. The renovations will "cost no more" than $23M, and "must be approved" by the LSU Board of Supervisors at its meeting next Friday (Baton Rouge ADVOCATE, 10/5).
DOLLAR GENERAL: In Georgia, Jon Gargis reports Cobb County Chair Mike Boyce has asked the Braves to "increase their parking fees by up to $1 per car to offset the county’s cost to manage traffic around the ballpark." Boyce said that he "proposed the fee to cover the salaries of police officers who staff key intersections around the stadium and The Battery Atlanta on game days, as well as traffic control crews who set up cones and barricades" (MARIETTA DAILY JOURNAL, 10/5).
