Zip's `99 Tailgate Party!
Last Updated 12/22/99  

Disclaimer - my eyes took a late seson tumble which made updates and scoring inappropriately addressed.  There are final picture updates as I managed to attend the games - just not in typical fervor.

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 and a Tribute to those fine friends who make the experience so rich for me and a few generally entertaining tidbits.  This season my Sony Mavica (Digital Camera) should ensure that the updates are more regular.  I intend to feature this page more this season than in past seasons.
Directions to Join Us!

This Weeks Game Highlights of '99 Standings
  Cheerleader of the 'week'  
General Tailgate Details Patriot Songs '99 'Contest' Rules

New->

Stadium Map w/ Zipseats!

<-New

Pics O' the 'Week'

Troy Brown
In Honor of Jose
(9/19/99)


Directions to Our Tailgate Haven!

First and foremost let's give you the clear overview:  I park directly across Route 1 from the ProShop.  If you leave the Pro-Shop parking lot, a crosswalk takes you to the path that leads directly to my tailgate (the right fork is now closed, the left fork brings you right next to me).  You can see a picture of that path just below.

Back to the driving/parking approach:   Assuming that you are getting to the Stadium by Route 1, there are simply two choices:   Route 1 Heading North or Route 1 Heading South.  I recomend heading South (from 95) as I have pictures to make it clear but both are quite possible.

Heading North on Route 1: The last lot on your left before you pass the Stadium.   The "Beantown Sports Souvenir" store and sign should be your clue.   Enter the lot and head to the far back right as per below!

Heading South on Route 1:  You will pass the first entrance to the stadium and should get into the right lane.  You will proceed up the hill past Rodman Ford and actually pass the stadium.  You may notice the path on your right which is directly across from the ProShop parking enterance (this path is the route we walk to the game and the best access on foot to my tailgate - when the path forks you are sent left and I'll be directly beyond the dumpster which is just beyond the end of the path)

NOTE: changes in the lot may cause the tailgate to move to the back corner of the lot.   Thus pass the Dumpster and continue along that row all the way to the end and you'll find our tailgate.  They are selling pieces of the lot and the changes are causing us to move.  It should settle down and I'll provide new pictures soon!

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Ok - just after you pass that path and the stadium you will take your next right - the following two pictures should provide reasonable landmarks for you. 

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So after having gotten yourself into that lot from the ever closer pictures above - you now need to turn right at the back of the lot and proceed way up to the top of the hill in the right most corner of the lot.  This is the corner closest to the road and furthest from the entrance.  It is right here that the path goes directly to the stadium and provides easy enter and exit.  It's a quiet little corner until we arrive and spruce it up.  You'll notice that my tailgate can be distinguished by the white Canapy, the Patriots Flag and most significantly the Patriots Pendants strung to a nearby pole or tree.  The Tedy Brusch jersey should also be a clue.  Note the picture of the lot properly marked and then a picture of the tailgate set up from the final '98 preseason game in which we made the day for many a fine child that got a chance to join us before hard core tailgate parties resumed.  Remember - folks are always welcome to join us and a quick yell of "Zip" should get you a response.  Feel free to send me an email telling me you'll be joining us but stop by either way!

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We park just to the right of the mark above.
Sale of the lot moved us up a bit from last year!

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A motley crew of pleased youths - I AM young!

 


Zip's Tailgate

What is Zip's Tailgate?
Each and every home game, I have the fortune of joining/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!

Joining me as Foxboro Faithful are:

August 13 PRE -Washington Redskins Jim George
August 21 PRE -Dallas Cowboys Donna Coutu
September 19 Indianapolis Colts Jose Acevedo
September 26 NY Giants John Fallon
October 17 Miami Dolphins Dave Chartier
October 24 Denver Broncos Brian Poor
November 15 New York Jets Jack Colon
December 5 Dallas Cowboys Rob Webber
December 26 Buffalo Bills Bill French
January 2, 2000 Baltimore Ravens Paul Albino

 

This Week's Game

Playoff Pulse?  Web - the wily and Willy (don't ask) Vet took this game in blitzkrief fashion.  Yielding nothing to chance he filled the day with entertainment and convinced the Pats to join him.  Web's unique football game provided much lot challenge whiel the festive lights ensured Zip's gate was easily found - including the visitors from Iowa: Nancy and Michelle.  Bino and Richie also made their first journey as did James (the rectifier) and Tim.  Steady Chris Sheridan remains the most constant and dedicated guest at the tailgate!

 

 


Season's Game Highlights

P1: Redskins P2: Cowboys S1: Colts S2: Giants S3: Miami S4: Denver S5 Jets S6 Cowboys S7: Bills S8: Ravens

 

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!   More of a single photo sampling of the past games...if you want to catch the full splendor then you must visit after each game~!

 


Big Jack makes every Tuna Bowl

Big Jack always gets the Jets - and he braves the Tuna Bowl in style.  The fresh off surgery fingers of Zip didn't aid the cause but we survived the coldest game of the season.  Fine fare on all fronts before the game and the master chef's food wasn't so bad either.  Unfortunately the cold (or Tuna?) took the team and after three quarters it was 21-3
Pats lose 24-17
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Big Kat tribute!
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Bruce, Keith, Big Jack and Zip inside the Fox
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How does he do it?

Coach says: Reverse the Curse - and he does!

Moving day yielded another Ryder (1800GOPATS) van for the trip.  Bronco shoes was a smash - literally as the Pinata learned.  Never beat Denver?  Bring it on says the daring two time victor of the tailgate event!  Zip even caught a ball today - truly remarkable!  The cool start turned warm - the large crowd stayed riled!   Not a bad "Pats Shirt" after the game either - though Jim missed that portion.   Bruschi Banner unveiled for Tedy's surprise as well.  Curse beat w/ Win 24-23!
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Jim's Dad a Bruschi fan - Jim w/ new Law jersery - even little Jack joins the throng!
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Zip, Jim & Coach celebratin' the win! Zip and coach with victory ceeegars!

Returning Champion Dave 'the Big Kat' Chartier

Previous champion, Dave Chartier joins the group complete with his own jersey for the first time.  Married to a Kat and supporting the Big Kat - coincidence?  Big Kat played well in response... Dave has the tailgate setup down to an art - warm weather and excellent company don't provide much injustice either.  Pats take a 14-0 lead and Dan Marino is done...
Pats Lose 30-31
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The 'Curse' group - Phil and Monty meet - pats lose...hmmm
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Zip and Charts had their game face on!
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Katz  with an interception TD

John "They might be Giants" Makes it 3-0

Happy Birthday John! - the sign making frenzy with Donna and Modi's 'help.'  John Hannah is the honorary captain and they might be Giants was the honorary theme song.  A few forgotten items and wrong turns on the way but Chris nails the propane save and we survive a tough tailgate as well as a tough Giant defense.  Pats win 16-14!

 

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John and I at halftime of a defensive tilt
The Greatest Offensive Lineman
in the history of the game -
John 'Hog' Hannah

 


Jose Opens the Regular Season at the Fox

The mega-van certainly gives us the trip in comfort as well as the bonus ability to watch TV enroute.  Colt-45 makes a painful but needed sacrifice to begin the conquest of the opposition.  A gorgeous autumn morning made for an auspicious start - made all the more impressive when the startling 21-0 lead of the Colts began to falter to the prowess of Drew Bledsoe and the dramatic Patriot rally.  The comeback party in the stadium - in the lot and even back at the hot tub made for a fantastic opening to the Tailgate Season - Patriots 31-28!! 

 

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You'd look cranky too if he painted your eye silver!! (above)

A rowdy crowd for opening day at the Fox!

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Donna joined me for a tough day: Wedding then rainy Cowboys (Preseason)

Donna made her debut under the roughest of conditions.  Preseason lacks the intensity of regular season games without question - rainy preseason is thus even more difficult.  Add a required wedding attendance prior to the cold, soggy preseason game and it sounds rough.  She handled the inaugral pressure with assistance from the ever dependable Chris Sheridan. A unique tailgate retreat along with the Patriot victory helped us find a fair bit of fun in the day!  Pats win 34-14.
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The Little Lady Beamin'
in Patriotic Pride!

Running late and slightly soggy, the committed pose.
(Zip, Donna & Chris)


Jim joined me for the first test of the year: Redskins in Preseason

Jim took the hit for Keith's emergency retreat from the games.  He made his rookie debut in fine fashion with a day of Volleyball at Hampton beach.  Took to the Framingham trail to savor *Red Skins!* before reaching the parking lot.  Shirt making expeditions and a gorgeous August day gave us a fine opening to the Football Tailgate.   Pats don't give Jim much help in losing: 20-14 with only Michael Bishop and Sean Morey for highlights. Now Blood Bowl?  That's another tale...
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A Fine Start with some Beach Volleyball at Hampton!
Preseason Woes?  Do this in January!

To the new group at the Tailgate
(Jose, Jim, Zip, Chris and Tina)


Season Standings:

Who? Score Rank Game
Jim 69 8 Washington Preseason
Donna 79 6 Dallas Preseason
Jose 72 8 Indianapolis Colts
John 76 7 NY Giants
Charts 82 4 Miami Dolphins
Coach 94 1 Denver Broncos
Jack 82 3 New York Jets
Web 90 2 Dallas Cowboys
Bill 72 9 Buffalo Bills
Bino 80 5 Baltimore Ravens

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