Position Specific Helmets?

[ill]

Vicis launches the first position-specific helmet

Vicis is back, and it could be on track to being better than ever.

profootballtalk.nbcsports.com

The helmet manufacturer faced hard financial times in late 2019. The company has since rallied, and it announced today the introduction of the Vicis Zero2 Trench. It’s the first helmet developed specifically for offensive and defensive linemen.

The Trench received the highest possible grade from the Virginia Tech Helmet Lab’s Star Helmet Rating System. It received five stars, and it earned the highest rating of all 26 helmets tested.

Video

 

[ill]

 

[DraftNerd]

Interesting. Designed more for the lower velocity, more frequent (every snap) contact of linemen.

Not that 300+ lb men launching into each other like mountain goats 70-90 times a game is minimal.

 

[ill]

Interesting. Designed more for the lower velocity, more frequent (every snap) contact of linemen.

Not that 300+ lb men launching into each other like mountain goats 70-90 times a game is minimal.

it makes sense to me. Their impacts are certainly different than others.

I could see TE's using these as well since they block so much.

 

[Cobrabit]

Certainly a common sense idea to provide specific equipment depending upon position, just like shoulder pads and flak jackets for QBs. The question will be whether the NFL players would be willing to make a switch considering their resistance to change. For example, Antonio Brown amongst others that are used to a particular style either for their actual performance or superstition.

I could see this starting in the college ranks, and below, first for a few years before NFL players make a switch unless mandated by the NFL.

 

[Rex Racer]

Certainly a common sense idea to provide specific equipment depending upon position, just like shoulder pads and flak jackets for QBs. The question will be whether the NFL players would be willing to make a switch considering their resistance to change. For example, Antonio Brown amongst others that are used to a particular style either for their actual performance or superstition.

I could see this starting in the college ranks, and below, first for a few years before NFL players make a switch unless mandated by the NFL.

Another question is whether the NFL poobahs in NYC will approve it for use. Roger Goodell and his minions control everything the players use and wear so it will be interesting to see if they let some players wear it while allowing others to stick with the status quo.

 

[ill]

Another question is whether the NFL poobahs in NYC will approve it for use. Roger Goodell and his minions control everything the players use and wear so it will be interesting to see if they let some players wear it while allowing others to stick with the status quo.

I don't think that will be the case.

if anything it will come down to brand loyalty and contracts with the NFL. If they don't allow the use of a certain brand for whatever, reason, you won't see it on the field, despite how safe the helmet is

 

[Cobrabit]

Another question is whether the NFL poobahs in NYC will approve it for use. Roger Goodell and his minions control everything the players use and wear so it will be interesting to see if they let some players wear it while allowing others to stick with the status quo.

They're all about PR and would receive backlash if a safer alternative is available and they don't let it go be available. This of course ties into marketing with their current brands as well.

Also why I think it'll start in college for a year or two to see results, but if an NFL lineman wants to wear it, hard to deny it without the PR hit.

 

[Rex Racer]

I don't think that will be the case.

if anything it will come down to brand loyalty and contracts with the NFL. If they don't allow the use of a certain brand for whatever, reason, you won't see it on the field, despite how safe the helmet is

It's the contracts that drive all of their decisions.

 

[Rex Racer]

They're all about PR and would receive backlash if a safer alternative is available and they don't let it go be available. This of course ties into marketing with their current brands as well.

Also why I think it'll start in college for a year or two to see results, but if an NFL lineman wants to wear it, hard to deny it without the PR hit.

I'm not a fan of the league offices signing exclusive contracts with equipment and uniform suppliers and that is what will likely keep these helmets on the outside looking in for a few more years at least. I hope I'm wrong if these helmets are better than what is in use right now, but..............................................

 

[ill]

I'm not a fan of the league offices signing exclusive contracts with equipment and uniform suppliers and that is what will likely keep thesee helmets on the outside looking in for a few more years at least. I hope I'm wrong if these helmets are better than what is in use right now, but..............................................

uniform suppliers I don't give a shit about. I'd rather see that be "uniform"

I don't want to see one team wearing Under Armour and another wearing Nike...this isn't college.

there shouldn't be contracts with equipment. There should be regulations saying what is and isn't approved, but it shouldn't be based on contracts

 

[Rex Racer]

uniform suppliers I don't give a shit about. I'd rather see that be "uniform"

I don't want to see one team wearing Under Armour and another wearing Nike...this isn't college.

there shouldn't be contracts with equipment. There should be regulations saying what is and isn't approved, but it shouldn't be based on contracts

As long as everyone on one team is wearing the same colors, patterns/schemes etc I couldn't care less who made the jersey or pants. I know that the NFL makes big $$$ off of these exclusive contracts, but they are blocking the players from making a little side dough with deals of their own.

 

[ill]

As long as everyone on one team is wearing the same colors, patterns/schemes etc I couldn't care less who made the jersey or pants. I know that the NFL makes big $$$ off of these exclusive contracts, but they are blocking the players from making a little side dough with deals of their own.

God forbid, not their side dough!

I don't give a shit that Tom Brady can't wear Under Armour and make a couple more million.

 

[DraftNerd]

it makes sense to me. Their impacts are certainly different than others.

I could see TE's using these as well since they block so much.

Interesting point on TEs. Though I would almost expect it to be specific to each TE. Some are traditional blocking TEs. Some are glorified big WRs.

Some can do both. Which helmet would be best for them? It’s a good question to be asking....because it means there are options tailored to roles available. And that’s not a net negative thing, regardless of how much safer these options could truly make playing the game.

This is a perfect example of how the game needs to try to evolve before the damage of playing the game just really starts to seriously erode the enthusiasm to play/watch the game.

Football is still my favorite sport. But, I admit it’s getting tougher to watch than it was 10-20 years ago. That’s the big long term threat to the game.

 

[ill]

Interesting point on TEs. Though I would almost expect it to be specific to each TE. Some are traditional blocking TEs. Some are glorified big WRs.

Some can do both. Which helmet would be best for them? It’s a good question to be asking....because it means there are options tailored to roles available. And that’s not a net negative thing, regardless of how much safer these options could truly make playing the game.

This is a perfect example of how the game needs to try to evolve before the damage of playing the game just really starts to seriously erode the enthusiasm to play/watch the game.

Football is still my favorite sport. But, I admit it’s getting tougher to watch than it was 10-20 years ago. That’s the big long term threat to the game.

But you don't want to give the role of the TE away by what their helmet is.

 

[Rex Racer]

God forbid, not their side dough!

I don't give a shit that Tom Brady can't wear Under Armour and make a couple more million.

The average NFL career lasts how long? 3 years? Why use an outlier like Brady to make a point when hundreds of guys that make a few hundred grand a year for a few years at most could benefit from a little side money getting banked?

 

[SlinkyRedfoot]

I just stopped in to let you all know that I don't give a fuck about this.

 

[Cobrabit]

But you don't want to give the role of the TE away by what their helmet is.

Game tape gives that away. Do they catch or block 95% of the time. I get that a lineman with a number between 60-80 needs to report as eligible, but that situation is also game planned for on goal line situations.

 

[DraftNerd]

But you don't want to give the role of the TE away by what their helmet is.

Had this thought too. But, if your defense scouts another offense based on what hat the TE is wearing you have bigger issues at scouting that offense than you should.

Teams know who is a threat to do what. I guess I could see where you have a TE like Gronk, who has been one of the most dominant pass catching TEs ever, but also a REALLY good blocking TE. Conceivably you glean how they plan to use such a player in that game based on the helmet.

But, merely diagnosing what they plan to do is only part. You still have to stop it. I thought about a TE specific helmet that maybe bridges the gap between catching and blocking.....I’m just not sure if that’s a solution seeking a problem though.

 

[ill]

The average NFL career lasts how long? 3 years? Why use an outlier like Brady to make a point when hundreds of guys that make a few hundred grand a year for a few years at most could benefit from a little side money getting banked?

Give me an example. Who isn't getting endorsements?