helmet. brain bucket. hard hat.
41 days until Week One
This season, 13 teams have unveiled new alternate or throwback uniforms for the 2022 season. The rash of new uniform sets comes after the NFL lifted its one-helmet rule, which prohibited teams from wearing different colored helmets.
You guys want to do a deep dive on helmets? There is actually a surprising amount of variety in the NFL:
Riddell Speedflex
Pros: Variety of facemasks available, revolutionary chinstrap design, and a sharp modern, yet not too futuristic look.
Cons: Heavier weight.
The Speedflex is used across every position. Notable NFL players that currently wear the Speedflex are Von Miller, Lamar Jackson, and Tom Brady. The Speedflex Precision Fit Diamond, the premier model, is the #4 ranked helmet with a score of 1.69.
2. Riddell Speed. Less and less of them are used every season.
Notable players that wear the Speed include Melvin Gordon, Devin Singletary, and Keenan Allen. Scored 6.67. Keenan Allen wearing a Riddell Speed.
3. Schutt F7. Debuted in the NFL in 2018 and quickly became a favorite among players.
Pros: Futuristic design not seen in any other helmet and a fairly light weight.
Cons: A lower safety rating than the Flex, less facemask options, and only an option for standard chinstrap buckles.
Notable plays currently wearing an F7 include Andy Dalton, Tyreek Hill, Ronald Darby, and Stephen Gilmore.
The highest rated F7 (although least used), the LTD ranks at #3 with a score of 0.75. Stephen Gilmore wearing an F7.
4. VICIS ZERO2. The ZERO2 comes in two models, the ZERO2 and the ZERO2 Trench, which is specifically designed for lineman.
VICIS is a new helmet company, who work with the Seahawks and the University of Washington to produce these revolutionary helmets.
Unlike most helmets, the VICIS models do not use air for cushioning, but instead a specially designed cone system and memory foam padding.
Pros: superior safety, a futuristic design, and comfort.
Cons: Larger sized shell than other helmets, and limited facemask options.
While the ZERO1 was a very well performing helmet, the new ZERO2 has blown all other helmet satefty ratings out of the water.
The Trench is the #1 rated helmet with a score of 0.52 and the standard ZERO2 is ranked at #2 with a score of 0.73.
All VICIS models are seen sparingly in the NFL, most popular among those who have concussion histories and QBs (made popular by Russell Wilson and Patrick Mahomes).
The Bosa brothers have been seen in ZERO2s as training camps begin.
5. Schutt Air XP Q11. The Q11 is the newest model of the Air XP line, which began sometime in the early 2000's.
The Q11 has the classic football helmet look, with more advanced padding.
Pros: A classic look and the most lightweight helmet available.
Cons: Less protection, unoriginal design, and limited facemask options.
The Air XP line was predominant among QBs for most of the 2000s and 2010s but has been replaced at the QB position almost completely by the Speedflex and the VICIS. Julio Jones in an Air XP Q11
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Numbers
711: Trey Lance pass attempts:
Marshall (Minn.) High School: 322
North Dakota State: 318
49ers: 71
Total: 711.
Tom Brady pass attempts in 2021: 719
2.2: Chicago Mayor, Lori Lightfoot, offered Monday to put a dome on Soldier Field, at a potential cost of $2.2 billion, in a desperate attempt to keep the Bears in Chicago or save face if they leave for Arlington Heights.
170,000: Bo Jackson donated $170,000 to pay for funerals of Uvalde victims
3 [TRIVIA]: If Aaron Rodgers wins the MVP this season, he'll be the second person to win the MVP three times consecutively. Who is the only other person to win it three times?
BONUS: How many MVPs would this be for Rodgers, and who would he be tying for the most?
Quotes
“I’m flattered that y’all think that at my size I can go out there and not prepare for the game and not take it serious."
Kyler Murray right before the Cardinals removed the controversial “independent study” clause from his $230.5M contract
"They were telling us they would prefer anyone over him,"
An NFL executive told Mike Sando of The Athletic how the Colts felt about Carson Wentz
“It’s a professional locker room. It’s a professional setting. He’s talking to us like grown men.”
Jaguars OLB Josh Allen laughs with a big ‘yeah’ when asked if there is a difference between Doug Pederson & last year with Urban Meyer
"I want a Super Bowl. That's all I care about and I want to beat the Green Bay Packers."
Chicago Bears QB Justin Fields said on the Bears All Access show that he feels lighter and that he lost 2% body fat in the offseason
Picks
See you in September!
Throwback Highlight
Tony Romo, Jerry Jones, and Bill Parcells tell the story of Romo's contract negotiation when he was the Cowboys backup QB.
This is from when Romo was the Cowboys backup QB. It’s an interesting look into the business side of the NFL.
Said contract was 1 year for 3 million. Romo would go on to get a 10 year $180 million deal with CBS.
Trivia Answer:
Brett Favre.
He’d tie Peyton Manning for most MVPS (Five.)