ESPN analyst Barry Melrose said today he is looking forward to seeing Prudential Center for the first time when he attends Friday's Devils' game against Washington on Scott Stevens Hall of Fame Night.
“I want to make my own judgments of Newark,” he said. “That is first-hand knowledge, so that’s better for me and the city of Newark. And I’m looking forward to watching the Devils play. Zach Parise is turning into one of my favorite players and it’s always fun watching Marty (Brodeur) play. When they’re 8-0 and playing so well, it’s always fun to watch a team.”
Of course, Melrose riled up some bad feelings in Newark for criticizing the area around the arena last month without actually seeing it, saying, "It's looks great on the inside, but don't go outside, especially if you have a wallet or anything else because the area around the building is awful." He later apologized and said he wanted to see the place for himself to make his own judgment. That prompted Newark Mayor Cory Booker to extend an invitation for a tour of the area on Friday.
Melrose said he is scheduled to arrive at City Hall at 4:30 p.m. Afterward, he'll get a tour of the arena from team chairman and managing partner Jeff Vanderbeek and watch the game from Vanderbeek's luxury suite.
“I wanted to come and they wanted me to come,” Melrose said. “They’ve been great about it, setting it up so I’ll get the grand tour of everything.”
Melrose said that New Jersey fans he's met since his original comments have been kind. “I do a lot of traveling and speaking and I’ve met a lot people from Jersey and no one has been tough on me, so, hopefully, that will continue tomorrow,” he said.
Someone please start a MULLET! chant tomorrow night.
Posted by: Pat | December 06, 2007 at 11:06 PM
How about a MELROSE SUCKS chant.
Posted by: jdr30 | December 06, 2007 at 11:17 PM
I like how he sounds like he insulted a whole country or group of people.
Posted by: Pat D'Amico | December 07, 2007 at 02:42 AM
it would be horrible, yet so ironic if Melrose got mugged as hes touring the area..
Posted by: matt | December 07, 2007 at 05:41 AM
"Melrose said that New Jersey fans he's met since his original comments have been kind. “I do a lot of traveling and speaking and I’ve met a lot people from Jersey and no one has been tough on me, so, hopefully, that will continue tomorrow,” he said."
I DOUBT IT. MELROSE IS AN IDIOT.
Posted by: DEVILS95 | December 07, 2007 at 07:22 AM
I'm not really that bothered by it, so he's one of millions who made a stupid judgment about Newark. The biggest problem is the only things you hear about Newark ever is who got shot, who got robbed and what building burned. Should he have said what he said? No, but it seems to just have uncovered what a lot of people already think. Hopefully this trip will help turn that around so that people will see that the arena area is nice.
Posted by: Danofan355 | December 07, 2007 at 08:22 AM
The man made a mistake, everyone screws up. Lets face it the bottom line is the arena and the area right outside it are fine... but if you go a few blocks away in the wrong direction its NOT a nice area.
Posted by: Chris | December 07, 2007 at 08:33 AM
A lot of the visiting fans I have talked to have only had positive things to say about the arena AND the area, and they felt stupid for listening to all the negativity from idiots like Melrose.
Be kind of Melrose? Unlikely. He should be ready for some booing and "Where's your wallet?" chants.
Posted by: jules | December 07, 2007 at 08:34 AM
I agree Melrose shouldn't have made those comments...ESPECIALLY since he has never been to Newark. That would be like me making a comment about the area around Joe Louis Arena in Detroit based solely on my knowledge of the crime in Detroit. Does it seem to anyone else that the Devils are super touchy about people having negative perceptions about the city of Newark and the arena itself? Why hasn't anyone addressed publicly the stupidity of the entrance situation and the size of the seats? Every new arena/stadium I've been to in the last 10 years has been an upgrade in terms of seat comfort. This is even a step backwards from CAA.
Posted by: Mike | December 07, 2007 at 11:14 AM
I give him credit for making a visit, and doing it so publicly.
The fact he hadn't visited at the time of the comments is plenty of reason to get touchy. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, so long as its an eductated one.
As for the seats, I have only sat in the light blue so far. I was comortable with them.
Posted by: Mike M | December 07, 2007 at 11:27 AM
@Mike: I think in this case the Devils should be “super-touchy.” It’s our new arena. We’re already contending with the negative perception of Newark (even though the arena is in the CBD and not a craphole like some people are making it out to me), and the Devils need to reverse the negative perception in order to get more people to come. This problem is compounded when you think of the oversights in terms of the scheduling and pricing and marketing gaffs. If someone in the Canadian media makes a crack about Newark, it’s not as big of a deal because who around here listens to them anyway? However, ESPN, unfortunately, is considered an “authority” on sports for the casual fan.
Also, I’ll have to disagree and say that the Rock is an upgrade over the CAA in every way possible, except for (for now) the heat and the ice. As far as the entrances go, I’ve had an easier and easier time getting into the arena each time I’ve been there, and I’ve been to almost every home game. As for the size of the seats, they seem about standard based on the other arenas I’ve been to, and the Devils have already removed the cupholders in the upper levels to make the seats roomier because some people complained about them. How else do you think they could reasonably address this?
Posted by: jules | December 07, 2007 at 11:31 AM
If I meet Barry Melrose, I'll shake his hand and welcome him to Newark and to NJ, and tell him he should feel free to come visit any time.
He just can't stay in NJ, as traffic is already a nightmare of epic proportions.
Posted by: wkmaier | December 07, 2007 at 11:37 AM
The seats are terribly tight, but removing the cup holders (or elbow holders as my uncle had labeled them)will be a plus. The heat in the place is incredible, I have never been to an arena where I felt warm in a jersey with a tee shirt underneath! The ice will be fixed when they find the computer glitch. (hopefully sooner rather than later).
I want Melrose there to see what it is really like so he can go on ESPN and report to the few people who watch him that the arena and the area is terrific and that there is no need to fear losing your wallet. From there it will be reported in the Hockey News etc, and maybe we can start filling the building.
Cheers to all who are going to the game tonight, I'll be enjoying my seat in 233.
Posted by: Danofan355 | December 07, 2007 at 11:54 AM
Im in 233 as well. What row are you in Dan?
Posted by: jdr30 | December 07, 2007 at 12:29 PM
The seats in the 0's and the 100's are the same size as the seats in CAA.
I haven't sat in a 200 before the game yet, but they can't be worse than Giants
Stadium. The last two games there I got leg cramps so bad that the first time my calf looked like it exploded and the last time I got a double hammy like 10 minutes into the game.
Some of the problem (not all) is that some people are of such a girth that they need one of those oversized recliners from Bob's to be comfortable. CAA wasn't comfortable either, when the rows were full.
Posted by: Arrrgh | December 07, 2007 at 02:54 PM
Ha, I correct myself..I'll be in 211. GO DEVILS!!!
Posted by: Danofan355 | December 07, 2007 at 04:34 PM