Saintswrath

By CHIP SCOGGINS, Star Tribune
Last update: January 21, 2010 - 12:52 AM





The Saints' vocal fans in the Superdome can be disruptive to the visiting team, but Sidney Rice knows the antidote: Make plays.

Vikings players were fitted for custom-made ear plugs last summer to help them better cope with blistering crowd noise.
Many of them tested their ear plugs in practice Wednesday as they began preparing for the raucous atmosphere awaiting them at the Superdome for Sunday's NFC Championship Game against the New Orleans Saints.
The Superdome is one of the NFL's loudest venues under normal circumstances, but the decibels could reach ear-splitting levels given the magnitude of this game.
"Playing there [last year] it was definitely the loudest stadium I've played in," running back Adrian Peterson said.
The Vikings won that Monday night game 30-27, but even some of their veterans described the atmosphere as the loudest they have ever experienced.
"That place was rocking," offensive lineman Artis Hicks said. "When Reggie Bush returned that second punt [for a touchdown], you couldn't hear yourself think. For some guys, that might not be a bad thing."
That comment drew a laugh, but his point was unmistakable. The Vikings have to manage the noise and minimize its effects, particularly when they are on offense.
"We already know how we can take them out of it: Go out there and make plays," wide receiver Sidney Rice said. "That's the only way and that's the only thing we're going to have to do to keep them quiet. If we're making plays, I'm sure it's not going to be as loud in there. We know it's a real noisy environment. It can get like the Metrodome this past week. We have to be on point."
The Vikings are taking different measures to prepare for the noise. Many players tried out ear plugs that were designed by Eden Prairie-based Starkey Laboratories. Starkey president Jerry Ruzicka described them as "passive ear plugs" that are "designed to dramatically reduce noise."
Tight end Visanthe Shiancoe showed his ear plugs to reporters in the locker room before practice.



Sound of silence is Vikings' goal | StarTribune.com