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View of the goaline defense from our seats...Miami Victory! |
Last Updated 4/28/98
Welcome to `97 Tailgate Archives!
Each week I make the most of the Patriots Game Experience. Attending each home game with a different guest we challenge ourselves to make the most of the experience. Over a decade of experience in attending games has cultivated this into a fine art. We feast resplendently, we play with fervor and most of all we attempt to make the entire day a great experience for ourselves and those around us. On this Page you will find the Weekly Highlights -Typically updated by Wednesday Evening, a Tribute to those fine friends who make the experience so rich for me and a few generally entertaining tidbits.
This is the archive of the '97 Season!
Pic O' the Final Home Week
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View of the goaline defense from our seats...Miami Victory! |
What is Zip's Tailgate?
Each and every home game, I have the fortune of joining a entreating a different
friend (yeah Everyone's your friend when YOU have the Pats tix!) to accompany me for the
journey. This long standing tradition has become somewhat of a competition to make our
trip together the best experience possible. Although the emphasis is completely on our
enjoyment, there is a rating system that I use to score the day and use this for
determining who picks their game first on the following year. I also use this to determine
who accompanies me to the home playoff games.
I almost always park in the same location and as we do place such significant emphasis on fun and enjoyment, I hope to encourage many of you to join me at least once throughout the season to fully appreciate Patriots Game Day entertainment! We park directly across Route 1 from the Stadium and Pro-Shop, in the lot behind the Souvenier stand. In the far back right corner of that lot atop the hill. You'll see my Pats Banner and Pendants flying. Stop by and say hello!
'Contest' Rules
Foxboro Map w/ Zipseats!
Joining me as Foxboro Faithful are:
*P August 8 vs. Dallas Cowboys - Keith Niskala
*P August 17 vs Denver Broncos - Jose Acevedo
*August 31 vs San Diego Chargers - Dave Chartier
September 14 vs NY Jets - Rob Webber
September 21 vs Chicago Bears - Jennifer Maliszewski
October 12 vs Buffalo Bills - Jack Colon
October 27 vs Green Bay Packers - Rob Ciccolini
November 23 vs Miami Dolphins - Brian Poor
November 30 vs Indianapolis Colts - John Fallon
December 13 vs Pittsburgh Steelers - Paul Albino
Coach is in the cue and last year's contest victory did not dissappoint as he once again topped the Charts - and everyone else! Despite the snowy start of the day...or perhaps because of it - I love Snow Football!
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Love the 1-800 GO-PATS This snowball is for you! |
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Coach and Zip in the cold of the first Miami game...Coach looks Toasty! |
The Patriot Guy leading the cheers. |
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| So if our upper left official signals TD, why didn't is count? |
See the section just above entitled 'This Week's Game?' Each time a new week usurps the previous week, I'll place the previous week highlights down here for archiving!
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To the left we have the consecutive numbers of Willie and Tedy With the slightly (ahem) smaller frames of Zip and Jon |
| Jon, Richie, Zip (& hanging Colt), Andy, Bino and the infamous Trout Magic gather around on the windy day to pose before the tailgate! |  |
Jon-guy Fallon joins me for the Colt game and was unintimidated by his rookie status.
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Zip Jose Charts & the Patriot Pumpkin |
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Zip and his 'evil' pumkin face join the Patriotic Charts at the Tailgate. |
Charts had the All Hallows Eve game against the despised Packers - the atmosphere was sky-high.
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Jack and I give Bruschi our support! Tedy did deliver a sack in honor of our sign... |
| The group poses by their tailgate: Jack, Troy, Bob, Ed, Zip, Mike and Bob (clockwise from Big Jack) |
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Jack and his infamous band of renown joined me for the Bills game...the rookie made his mark on one of the most impressive seasons of tailgating that has taken place for the Zipster.
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Mike, Zip, Jesse and Bob prepare for the Bears! |
Jesse King made his debut this year - the attire was light but the Bears game was top notch!
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Sure the flash is a a tad bright but the bow ties is certainly sharp! Web and I at the event: Tuna Bowl I. |
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| Our effigy of Tuna before... | and after.... |
Rob Webber's journey for Tuna Bowl I was an emotional hype filled game which provided full delivery on the Promise of Excitement. The Tuna left with a loss but not until a blocked chip shot brought overtime and victory for New England!
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Rob C and Zip celebrating Charger mugging! |
Modi shows off his Game Day colors! |
Rob Ciccolin helped me debut the 'canopy' and open the regular season in style as we grounded the Chargers. Rob made a late game trade which affected his opportunity but the day was no letdown. I will try to keep a shirt on that pale skinned lad next time!
Jose "Sam" Acevedo and Zip-showcasing Bruschi support (the shirt stays makeup
free at home)
Jose Acevedo Joined me to see the Denver curse abated - albeit in preseason as the 1st string went 24-7 while the team took a 31-21 victory. Accompanying Jose was Coach - the ultimate attender, my brother Rick in his debut of Pats football and the crowd from last years AFC Championship.
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Zip, Coach, Rick and Jose... Ready to head into the game! |
Highlights of the tailgate include the inflatable and very appreciated swimming pool on the steamy day. Add to that the inflatable football target, detail in selecting all Denver based beers (except for a needed Guiness :), the ever present Zip Patriots flag and banners and thusly is the tailgate well established.
Jose's setup of the tailgate, including the road which leads quietly to the Stadium...it
really is a beautiful location for football!
Keith Niskala joined me as the Pats dominated the Cowboys 16-10. The pregame was highlighted by resident tailgaters Bob and Mike's ten round verbal banter and 501 Barry Switzer gun toting jokes.
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| Keith even let me steal one of the two games... | Now these are real fans! |
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Vintage Keith Niskala Though it isn't pretty! Keith's post game hunger is alleviated in a single bit of the dog. Dog provided by Jersey Bob. |
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Jack and Karen As friendly and knowledgable as anyone at the game - and generally good for a few peanuts too! (shhh She's wearing a Bruschi Jersey too!) |
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Bill and Tom who sit directly in front of me and put up with my oversized knees AND my
excessive enthusiasm. (We'll have him work on that smile Tom!) |
Season Standings:
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