Well, here we are in the doldrums before the draft and the subjects of discussion have been cussed and discussed more than should be allowed by law. Thank goodness the schedule has been released for that gives us something new to ponder while waiting to see if Trent is traded or Larry gets his new contract or if any offensive linemen are still around or…….You get the point.

Anyway, I have already been giving some serious thought to that other aspect of game day–TAILGATING!!!! I make at least six or so games a year so I like to think that I have some experience in this area. Include the fact that I (and fellow fan, usually my dad) drive 600 miles round trip, which leads me to believe that I have a little knowledge in what and how to pack an Explorer for the day.

A friend who made his first trip to Arrowhead a couple of years ago expressed surprise that I kept pulling stuff out of the ice chest. I didn’t realize that at least two types of meat, coleslaw, beans, tater salad, not to mention the appetizers and nibbles, wasn’t par for the course. I simply told him that tailgating is more than just throwing a burger or a steak on the grill but is instead a complete, all-around experience and that part of the fun is seeing what others are cooking as well. My dad, a grill master himself, enjoys wandering around and seeing what others are cooking–of course, bringing back ideas and suggestions for us to use the next game. There’s no place like Arrowhead to get some excellent varieties of grill ideas.

Besides staples such as sweet/sour pork chops and honey/mustard chicken (home-made sauce with cayenne and tabasco added for fun), sometimes doing Italian chicken for fun, and simmered teriyaki mushrooms (with bell peppers) or baked beans–with jalapenos and onions thrown in–and my wife’s spinach dip, and her home-made tater salad and……..

Anyway, at the Seattle game last year the tailgate novice with me got me into a discussion about the proper music to be blaring in the parking lot while doing what all good and proper fans do before a game. I made the argument for something good for any situation, like Steely Dan. He opined for something a tad more rocking. We did agree that Joe Walsh was pretty good as well as something like Creedence Clearwater. I also think that some old Warren Zevon is acceptable as well as the good old standbys like Skynyrd and Bob Seger.

All in all, I think that we can dispose of the boring discussions like our offensive line or who is our quarterback or who wants a new contract and that we should focus on the REALLY important stuff–like do I try a new sauce on my pork chops and do I bring deviled eggs.