Football Equipment Thread

celticdb15

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Col Reb w\the evidence to support my statement!!!
 
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Ohio state to wear "1954 tribute" uniforms from nike against Michigan on saturday. Any thoughts? I actually happen to like uniform changes like these, as I enjoy the various Oregon uni combos they have this season!

http://procombat.nikemedia.com/index.php?DB_OEM_ID=17300&team=ohio_state#/photos

osu%201m1.jpg
OSU%209M6.jpg
osu%2011M7.jpg


w84_10241.jpg
 

Colonel_Reb

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The problem with such throwbacks is that they don't look "vintage" when using today's equipment designs. If they used throwback designs to go with the retro styling, they would really have something. As it is, Nike's designs have made it almost impossible for any college team to stay 100% with its traditional look. I personally believe that college uniform design has evolved to such a point that it is a futile effort to try to pull off an authentic "throwback" or "tribute" look without screwing it up. This is a bit different with some NFL teams, but even then it is problematic.

Besides the obvious design changes (short sleeves, etc.) you can see that the 1954 helmets didn't have numbers, and much of the "tribute" uniform is different in its styling from 1954. Why do a tribute if it isn't accurate? I'm a stickler for historical accuracy when dealing with things like this. That's my $.02.

I'm not even sure if this mock up was ever used in 1954.
1954.jpg


Here's Howard (Hopalong) Cassady in 1954.

HowardCassady.jpg




Edited by: Colonel_Reb
 

FootballDad

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I agree with Col. Reb in regards to looks when doing a genuine "throwback" uni, and it can be done right, with the exception of the actual helmet design. The graphics and "look" of the helmet can be duplicated, just a modern helmet. Of course, if we could get Terrelle Pryor to wear a genuine throwback helmet, I'd be okay with that
smiley2.gif

What Nike is doing here is a "Tribute" uniform, which is different than a "throwback". It allows them to integrate certain qualities of the old uniform, while takinglicense with other styling details.
 

Colonel_Reb

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That's Nike, always taking license. I'm not against tributes or throwbacks, but I don't like the idea of a team having several uniforms during the same season, like Oregon. My wife loves ducks and even she thinks their unis are over the top. I do personally prefer throwbacks over tributes though, as tributes like this one seem to muddle things up. I really like watching football teams that still use very traditional unis, although none of them will ever be as cool as they were in the 80s and 90s, imho.

Although I'd love to see it, I doubt we'll ever see any durene or cotton jersey throwbacks. Now that would be something!
Edited by: Colonel_Reb
 

FootballDad

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Well, on the throwback front, you certainly have to give the Denver Broncos credit for their unis, right down to the ridiculous socks. They had to have those specially made, in two colors, for the two weeks they wore them!
 

Colonel_Reb

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Yep, Denver did a great job with those blinding things. They were ugly as home made sin. As I said before, NFL throwbacks are more often accurate than college attempts. Colleges and the companies they work with tend to want to "screw" with things too much. I really enjoyed the Patriots throwbacks, along with the Bucs. Those are both really nice unis. I almost bought a deadstock Sand Knit Patriots jersey a couple of years back. It had no numbers or logos on it.
 

foreverfree

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One NFL team that takes a bit of license with throwbacks is the Pittsburgh Steelers. Even in throwbacks, their facemasks are still painted black like their contemporary helmets are.

Speaking of helmets, one time a bunch of us were watching a game involving Michigan (not against OSU) in the TV room of my college dorm (this was in the early '80s). One dude said (paraphrasing) "I never liked Michigan's helmets. I never understood the meaning of their logo." Neither did I understand, though I can't say I disliked it, but then came the response from a bysitter, who said "Well, I think, the design goes back to the days of leather helmets and it was simply transferred when Michigan went to plastic helmets." I learned something that day.
smiley1.gif


John

EDIT: P.S. Football Dad, that can't be FSU's helmet in your avatar. The spear's right, but FSU's helmets are gold, not black.
smiley1.gif
Edited by: foreverfree
 

FootballDad

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foreverfree said:
EDIT: P.S. Football Dad, that can't be FSU's helmet in your avatar. The spear's right, but FSU's helmets are gold, not black.
smiley1.gif
No way I would have Caste King Bowden's team logo as my avatar!! That is the helmet of my son's Pop Warner football team, and also of the local high school, who's helmet he will be wearing in a couple of years
smiley1.gif
 

foreverfree

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foreverfree said:
One NFL team that takes a bit of license with throwbacks is the Pittsburgh Steelers. Even in throwbacks, their facemasks are still painted black like their contemporary helmets are.

OTOH the Vikings looked rather cool last Sun. with their '70s retros (gray facemasks and all), which they should've stuck with.

Getting back to Michigan's headgear, the reason the Delaware Blue Hens' helmets are very very similar is because Dave Nelson (Tubby Raymond's predecessor as UD coach) played for UM.

John
 

Colonel_Reb

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Both Michigan and Delaware owe their helmet design to Princeton, who was the first to use it back in 1935.
 

PhillyBirds

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I was flipping through some games the other day, when I noticed defensive lineman Chris Canty's facemask:

PicImg_Dallas_Cowboys_v_8452.jpg


Seems highly impractical. I mean, there's pretty much no chance of people getting fingers or hands to your face, but that's an awful lot going on in front of you. Perhaps he wears it because of an injury? I don't know, but I'm pretty sure he's the only one in the league with a mask like this.

Edited by: PhillyBirds
 

Colonel_Reb

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Good post, Philly! I've been thinking of reviving this thread lately as well. I saw that setup last season. I can't remember who was using it, probably him though. I've been looking for 2 point chin straps but haven't seen any yet. Seems like more and more uniform conformity these days. I do enjoy seeing Brett Fov-uh-ruh's "long sleeved" Vikings jersey. It is quite different from his teammates, at least to me.

Favrejersey.jpg
 

PhillyBirds

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Yeah Col., I think the "big" sleeves are mostly a kicker/punter thing now. Favre may be the only QB with that jersey style.

Here's recently re-signed New Orleans kicker John Carney:

p1_carney_ap.jpg


EDIT: Hey, also with a two-point strap. Didn't notice that. 2/2!

Edited by: PhillyBirds
 

Colonel_Reb

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Carney's helmet set up is my favorite among NFL kickers/punters. The "mini-OPO" style mask and 2 point strap is about as minimalistic as it can get for an NFL player these days. Of course the Revo kicker's mask is small too, but I don't remember anyone using one with a 2 pointer.
 

Colonel_Reb

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I've mentioned the use of "overkill" 6 point chin straps before and have seen the Rodgers brothers using them in past seasons at Oregon State. They aren't using them this year, but I have noticed several black UCLA players sporting them. I also noticed that Oregon State players evidently have their choice of white or black chin straps, an option not usually given in today's conformist game.

Here are a couple of pics of the 6 pointers.
6point.jpg


6pointers.jpg


Here's the white and black OSU straps.
straps.jpg


blackandwhitestraps.jpg
 

Colonel_Reb

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Just saw this and thought I'd post it here. Looks like the usage of really old high school helmets is still as common as it was a long time ago. The Texas House of Reps passed legislation that deals with concussions. Now the bill is being discussed by a State Senate committee.

http://amarillo.com/news/local-news/2011-05-06/house-tackles-concussions-head

Starting next academic year, Texas schools will have to pay more attention to student athletes who suffer possible concussions.
The
House on Thursday passed a bill by Rep. Four Price, R-Amarillo, that
would spell out new district requirements that cover student-athletes
and concussions.
House Bill 2038, which passed 129-5 with no debate,
would require Texas' more than 1,000 school districts to develop
standards for dealing with students who suffer concussions while
practicing or playing in a competitive event sanctioned by the
University Interscholastic League, which oversees all athletic programs
in public schools.
Schools would be required to appoint or approve a
head injury oversight team consisting of at least a doctor and an
athletic trainer, a nurse, a neuropsychologist or a doctor's assistant.
The
bill also would prohibit an injured student from getting back on the
field or a court until they are cleared by the oversight team or the
student and his or her parents or guardians signed a form acknowledging
receiving and reading information about concussions and safety
procedures.
The bill, named in honor of Natasha Helmick â€" a soccer
player at Texas State University in San Marcos forced to stop playing
because of five concussions in five years â€" now goes to the Senate,
where it is expected to pass.
Price's bill, which he and Sen. Robert
Deuell, R-Greenville, worked on, is one of several high school
sports-related proposals the Legislature is considering this session.
Rep.
Eddie Lucio, D-Brownsville, authored a bill that would require any
students signing up for a UIL-sanctioned sporting event to undergo a
physical examination that would include a cognitive assessment.
Lucio
also filed another bill that would require districts to recondition
football helmets 10 years or older and get rid of helmets older than 16.
"We don't drive a car that long,"Â￾ Lucio said. "Why use a helmet on a kid that would last that much longer?"Â￾
The
first bill is still in the House Public Education Committee, but the
helmet bill has already passed in the House and is awaiting a hearing in
the Senate Education Committee.
Price, Lucio and Deuell have said
the legislation they have proposed is necessary because concussions have
not received enough attention.
Every year, about 140,000 high school
students suffer concussions, according to the National Federation of
State High School Associations.
And because of their age, high school
athletes are the most vulnerable to brain damage if their head injuries
are not treated properly, Deuell, the only physician in the Texas
Senate, said when he filed his bill.
Although the bills Price, Lucio
and Deuell filed would increase awareness and public education on
concussions, the lawmakers said they are not passing unfunded mandates
to the schools, particularly at a time when the Legislature is cutting
its budgets because of a revenue shortfall of up to $27 billion for the
next two fiscal years.
"They don't have to hire new personnel because of this,"Â￾ Price said.
 

Colonel_Reb

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<h1 ="article_line entry-title">
</h1>This is the first time I remember reading about this helmet or the company that makes it. We'll see if it catches on.

<h1 ="article_line entry-title">X-Generation of football helmets has arrived</h1>

<div ="entry-">






<div ="inline_wrapper inline-left photothumb_inline">

<div ="inline_bucket">







X1 Helmet




</div>
</div>





<div ="inline_wrapper inline-left photothumb_inline">

<div ="inline_bucket">







X1 Helmet




</div>
</div>





J.D. McGee cut back to catch a screen pass, turned to head down field
and immediately crashed â€" helmet to helmet â€" into the cornerback
covering him during a St. Edward's football game last spring.



The hit remains clear in his mind because it sent him to the ground,
rolling in pain. But to his surprise, his head wasn't hurting â€" instead
he was clutching his stomach and struggling to catch his breath.



Ever since that play, McGee has become an unofficial spokesperson for the new Xenith helmet.



Instead of traditional foam padding, the helmet features 18
shock-absorbing, air-filled disks designed to adapt to the hit, minimize
sudden movement of the head and prevent concussions.



"When I used to get hit head-to-head, you would just feel it in your
head, like a headache," said McGee, a St. Edward's senior. "When I got
hit (that game), it wasn't a concern. It was more my stomach, because I
got the wind knocked out of me. I didn't feel a thing in my head. I
would have had my bell rung with any other helmet.



"I think the helmet definitely helped me not get a concussion."



St. Edward's is one of a handful of area schools to recently purchase
the $350 Xenith helmet, buying 26 for the entire varsity squad last
year through parent contributions and donations to the football budget.
The helmets were bought instead of new uniforms.



Most area teams still use the latest products from Riddell and
Schutt; however, Sebastian River, Martin County, Okeechobee and Vero
Beach also have some Xenith helmets.



Fort Pierce Westwood coach Gene Clemons and Fort Pierce Central
interim coach Josh Shaffer both said their programs hope to look into
the Xenith in the future.



"I have seen the Xenith helmet in action, and I think it firmly sits
as the top-of-the-line helmet and has the greatest opportunity to reduce
concussions across the board," Clemons said. "I've had discussions and
eventually I will begin to phase in the Xenith."



Sebastian River offered parents the opportunity to go in 50-50 on the
cost of the helmet last year, with the stipulation the helmet would
stay with the program â€" with 21 athletes fitted for a Xenith.



A total of 14 parents and players at Vero Beach also decided to
purchase the product after a regional sales representative conducted a
presentation at a recent team meeting.



Martin County coach Chuck Kenyon said he has started phasing Xenith
helmets into his collection that also includes the Riddell, Schutt and
Bike brands, and Okeechobee coach Myron Jackson said a few of his
players decided to get Xeniths themselves.



Xenith baseball and softball helmets are also finding their way into area dugouts.



Michael Stutzke, athletic director at Sebastian River, said what
piqued his interest in the Xenith helmet was that the military uses the
same technology in combat helmets.



"If what is being used there (in the military) is being transferred
to football and baseball and softball, it's foolish not to look into
that," Stutzke said.



"You can see the pockets the way the cushioning is positioned
throughout the helmet, it's designed to collapse and inflate itself on
impact. You look at it and the explanation makes sense. Because it fits
so snuggly around the head, you can see where it is fully encasing the
head, you couldn't help but benefit from how it's structured."



Stutzke said from a liability standpoint, it makes sense to at least
educate parents about the Xenith helmet, as studies show 10 to 50
percent of high school players each season sustain concussions.



South Fork coach Dennis Lavelle wants to see more proof the helmet is
actually as safe as it sounds before he would suggest it as an option
to parents. He doesn't think it has been on the market long enough to
see the impact.



For now, he is satisfied with the Riddell Revolutions, which make up almost his entire inventory and cost almost half the price.



"Like everyone else, I got caught by a (Xenith) salesman, and it
sounded reasonable to a layman, but it really hasn't been on anyone's
head long enough and it is very expensive," Lavelle said. "There's
nothing else on the market other than (the Xenith) that claimed to have
better success than what's out there now."



POPULAR HELMETS ON THE TREASURE COAST



RIDDELL REVOLUTION



Introduced in 2002, the Riddell Revolution features a polycarbonate
shell, inflatable back/neck/side liner and crown liner, standard or
inflatable Z-Pads (jaw pads which use engineered energy management
materials to manage impacts to the side of the head and face), six vent
holes, "no rust" stainless steel hardware, soft cup chin strap and
push-in valve retainers and plugs



SCHUTT DNA'S



First introduced in 2003, this helmet uses Thermoplastic Urethane
(TPU) Cushioning, which was designed to provide better heat management,
better hygienics and better impact absorption by not taking a
compression set like traditional foam padding. It offers a two-piece air
liner with inflation ports, a hook-and-loop attachment system to lock
the inflation valves into place, titanium faceguards and oversized
ventilation holes in the crown.



XENITH X1



Introduced in 2007, this helmet features 18 shock-absorbing,
air-filled disks designed to adapt to the hit and minimize sudden
movement of the head. It uses a "shock bonnet" that pulls tight to the
head and the shell is polycarbonate with vents to facilitate air flow
from front to back to cool players as they move. The chin cup features a
protective polycarbonate shell with vents to provide breathability and
made of slip-resistant antibacterial silicone with insert molded
moisture-wicking fabric.



</div>http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2011/may/06/no-headline---tc_spt_helmets_c1/

Here is the Xenith website.
 

Colonel_Reb

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A new post in this thread is long overdue. We've seen some changes over the last couple of seasons in regard to unis. There are now several teams playing each other in home colors, which is a good thing as far as I'm concerned. It helps bring back the look of some classic rivalry games from the pre-caste era. If only they'd bring back the look of the players from those days, then we'd really have something. I've been looking in vain for a player with a 2 pointer this season. If one of you has seen one and has a pic, please post one here.

I think the biggest story that relates to unis is the increase in the number of concussions, despite the majority of players wearing a new high-tech "injury reducing" helmet such as those that have been mentioned here before. I don't understand how these Revo etc. helmets can be worth anything when they are constantly flying off player's heads and are not protecting them from concussions when players are wearing them. I'm beginning to think all the "newer, safer, better" talk was all marketing hype and no substance. I don't see any evidence to the contrary.

Here are some worthwhile articles dealing with the concussion issue.

This one looks at a lawsuit that includes some White former NFL players.
http://www.huliq.com/10282/nfl-concussion-cover-hurts-football-puts-youth-risk-brain-damage

This Concussion Blog article looks at the number of concussions during the first few weeks of this college football season.
http://theconcussionblog.com/2011/10/04/ncaa-reported-concussion-study-entering-week-6/#more-4797

This one is from the CDC, and even though I don't agree with a lot of what they put out, a 60% increase in the number of concussions reported in 10 years is a pretty significant increase. The numbers are of kids who are 19 or younger.
http://theconcussionblog.com/2011/10/06/cdc-new-estimates-what-it-may-mean/#more-4819

Here's a story from last year about the number of concussions during the first half of the 2010 season. http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d81cdf2d6/article/concussions-reported-in-nfl-up-21-percent-from-last-season

This last story is from Northern Idaho and all the subjects in the video are White. 9 of them have had concussions this season and they are out indefinitely as a result. I already knew most high schools (especially the poor ones) use older helmets, but I don't think that is the reason this is happening. These kids are using up to date helmets, nearly every one of them a Riddell Revolution. I believe more and more that those helmets are just junk. They don't do what they claim and I believe they do a worse job protecting the head than the older helmet designs. I still believe we should go back to a suspension helmet design, either plastic or leather. The number of concussions would go way down as a result.
http://www.kxly.com/news/29401298/detail.html
 
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Bronk

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Thanks for resurrecting this thread, Reb, I had forgotten all about it.

The concussion issue is very serious. One of my nephews suffered two in one season at Arlington Heights HS in Fort Worth and it took him litterally two years to fully come back from them, i.e. recover his old personality.

Frankly, I hate the look of uniforms these days. Players no longer wear sleeves and the facemasks look like lacrosse masks.

When I played, I always tried to wear a very tight jersey so that it could not be grabbed. To keep from having dangling, loose sleeves or flapping tails, I used two-sided tape to adhere the jersey to the pads. I also slit the sleeve under my arm, tucked one half into the other and rebinded it with tape to pull the sleeve taut to the pads and against my arm.

What I would have liked to wear was one of these old "button fly jerseys:

tulsa like.jpg
 

Colonel_Reb

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Thanks to Riddlewire's post about UCLA QB Kevin Prince, I decided to check and see if any of their current kickers/punters were wearing 2 pointers like Forbath did. Turns out 3 of them have worn 2 point chin straps over the last 2 seasons!

Their current punter, Jeff Locke, has worn one on and off the past 2 years.

JeffLocke.jpg

JeffLocke2.jpg

Here he is against Texas earlier this season.

JeffLocke2011.jpg


Kicker Tyler Gonzalez is also wearing one right now, shown below.

TylerGonzalez.jpg


This last pic shows former players Forbath and holder Danny Rees with their illegal equipment last year.

2pointers2010.jpg

I'm glad to see that the old 2 pointers haven't totally gone away. I was beginning to think I'd seen the last of them.
 
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backrow

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did you guys see this one? it's pretty unusual! I think it was made specifically for Tuck

shredder-tuck.jpeg


on another note, it looks like Hillis is no longer using his pitbull facemask! i hope it's not the case, that thing was awesome and made him look fierce.

images
 

Colonel_Reb

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Thanks for resurrecting this thread, backrow! I hadn't yet seen Tuck's 2012 "grille" but it is a one-off unit. His teammate Chris Canty wears a funky looking one too.

http://content.usatoday.com/communi...n-tuck-leading-wave-of-new-facemask-designs/1

Black offensive lineman Harry Swayne wore this monstrosity in 1994 and 1995.
f9f19d2e-f476-4033-99e7-78e0719191d5.jpg


Peyton Hillis did look extra tough with the bulldog mask, but hopefully his running will be even tougher, whenever he gets the opportunity.
 

Colonel_Reb

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Punter Jeff Locke is still wearing a 2 pointer. I thought I saw a glimpse of a FG kicker wearing one during the first week of the season, but I have forgotten. It could have been Locke.
 

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dwid

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I've never been big on equipment, just used hand me downs from my older cousin and brother growing up and then whatever was issued.


Whatever happened to the loose cut off jerseys? I mean yeah they are lose but they are shorter so its harder to grab on to, personally I remember liking them.

Heres a video of SMU with Craig James using them.

[video=youtube;3VicB1buRHE]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VicB1buRHE[/video]

I've been playing in a semi pro league which is more lax and have been wearing some old school equipment found from older relatives and some on ebay. Bought my 3 year old some 1940's-1950's extra small youth shoulder pads because he has been bugging me about them. It was pretty cheap and its very light. Of course he won't use them in a real game except with friends (I have several of them) (more of a costume right now for him), but not in a league, I don't plan on getting him into a league until he is at least 8 or 9, maybe jr high. I remember the Mannings did this. And I know tons of people that started off early that got a little burnt out by the time high school hit. The problem is no one is playing backyard football anymore. I find the older ones can either be light and help mobility or restrict it with the shape.

I don't really find myself at a disadvantage getting hit (none are as old as the pics I am posting, I just find them cool). I just feel lighter. I think it would be really cool to see a smaller league adopt old school technology, players would adapt. We practice full contact no pads the first couple of practices and we adjust so I don't think it would be any different. I mean it would be cool to see the NFL use older stuff but I don't think its gonna happen. Although I would love to use the older leather shoulder pads and the leather helmet with the first facemask (ive actually heard that these are heavier but I dunno, never gotten a hold of any), it wouldn't work unless everyone else was doing it, but I find stuff from when they first perfected the plastic to where it wasn't cracking to be great, even though they use a new type of plastic now.
These
are the type of shoulder pads I would love to have ,although it wouldn't make sense to buy them except just for fun, my wife says maybe she can make them, shouldn't be too hard
678405335_tp.jpg


the first leather helmet with facemask
63640a_med.jpeg



8812b.jpg

anyway, anybody remember what happened to these shorter throwaway jerseys? are they banned? I thought they were cool. You could see part of the stomach, so maybe sumos wouldn't like the idea of this.


THe video is poor quality so maybe a picture would do better
th
 
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