The following e mail came in from Stiener and it makes great points. Check it out
I love the Titan uniforms but this is one problem with them. The color of the numbers are not bright enough so is very hard to read them, especially at the game. I believe they need to be a little brighter. The jets have played 2 of their best games in the last 2 season, yesterday and last year in Dullfin land with them on. We are wearing them at least once more against the Bills. I wonder what the Titans road uniforms looked like? Back then, did they have home and away uniforms? Stien man
The number visibility issue is valid. Perhaps a number outline in lighter yellow... And if I wasn't about to get a massage from the little woman, I'd be all over checking out what the NY Titans away uniforms were. Will get right on that after she love me long time ; )
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Stream of consiousness fashion ramblings
First off, I love this pic. No Niners fan myself but the brightness of the gold is reminiscent of Notre Dame the high gloss red of the helmet stripe is a close to the color of fresh blood as I’ve ever seen and I am a fan of the three D effect of the font on the jersey numbering. I think them, the Dolphins and perhaps the Ravens are the only ones who use this effect. However the question this pic brings up in my mind is “Whats up with those knee pads?” They look like little circular pads with a nipple fer chrissake. Is it a kneepad or a post breast cancer prosthesis? Even the thigh pad looks like some kind of truncated sawed off version of a full pad. What’s going on there? Anyone know?
You have to look at the next two photos for my next point, specifically the socks. I love the three horizontal stripes, always have. I’m not sure if these pics are both from last season. I thought the Pats had gone away from the three horizontal stripes but maybe it’s just a home/away thing. Rich? Another burning question… the pant stripe. Is it wide blue middle stripe with red inner border and white outer border that you cant really see on the light pant or is the white outer border added on the blue pants to make the whole stripe configuration more visible?
The Raiders have perhaps the most classic uniform in all of football with Green Bay running a close second. The silver and black just work and never seem to loose ground. Just look at the beauty and simplicity of the parts and how they come together to make the whole shine. The most simple and basic pant stripe is a prime example of not having to fancy up every detail. Left alone to work in concert with the other elements make it a rare exception. The parts of this uniform exemplify the team concept of the sport applied to the uniform.
Let’s talk helmet stripes. Over the past decade or so the helmet stripe has come into its own and here are two great examples in one photo. The Titans are one of only two teams featuring the front to back fading double stripe and the Broncos are the only team with a back to front fading stripe. Whereas Carolina has a front to back fading double stripe but with an added twist… they curl out away from the center just
after passing the top of the helmet. Yeah baby!
The pic of the Falcon also shows a new level of detail and sophistication on the Jersey design especially around the shoulder. The pinstripe borders, the multi color insert panels, the collar detail…. That’s a sharp shirt. It’s a bit like the Cardinals new one in that way. On that subject I love the Cardinals pinstripe pant stripe that comes down and bell bottoms out around the knee, very unique. It’s not my favorite but I like this Denver pant stripe that curls forward and how it’s matched by the jersey gusset/stripe that curls in around the pec. It may not be everyones cup of tea but the logo and uniform redesign are, I think, an improvement over the old orange crush days. And hell, they won a super bowl in it so who can complain? Not big on the number font though. Above the Panther pantstripe is also kind of unique in starting out ultra fat at the top and narrowing to a point at the knee.
It’s a brave new world in NFL fashion these days but as we’ll see in future columns change has been constant over the football years, just not at this pace and level of innovation. Time for this columnist to go off and peruse some cheerleader photo galleries and maybe even get helmet drunk. See you next time football fashion fans and keep those comments and tips coming !
You have to look at the next two photos for my next point, specifically the socks. I love the three horizontal stripes, always have. I’m not sure if these pics are both from last season. I thought the Pats had gone away from the three horizontal stripes but maybe it’s just a home/away thing. Rich? Another burning question… the pant stripe. Is it wide blue middle stripe with red inner border and white outer border that you cant really see on the light pant or is the white outer border added on the blue pants to make the whole stripe configuration more visible?
The Raiders have perhaps the most classic uniform in all of football with Green Bay running a close second. The silver and black just work and never seem to loose ground. Just look at the beauty and simplicity of the parts and how they come together to make the whole shine. The most simple and basic pant stripe is a prime example of not having to fancy up every detail. Left alone to work in concert with the other elements make it a rare exception. The parts of this uniform exemplify the team concept of the sport applied to the uniform.
Let’s talk helmet stripes. Over the past decade or so the helmet stripe has come into its own and here are two great examples in one photo. The Titans are one of only two teams featuring the front to back fading double stripe and the Broncos are the only team with a back to front fading stripe. Whereas Carolina has a front to back fading double stripe but with an added twist… they curl out away from the center just
after passing the top of the helmet. Yeah baby!
The pic of the Falcon also shows a new level of detail and sophistication on the Jersey design especially around the shoulder. The pinstripe borders, the multi color insert panels, the collar detail…. That’s a sharp shirt. It’s a bit like the Cardinals new one in that way. On that subject I love the Cardinals pinstripe pant stripe that comes down and bell bottoms out around the knee, very unique. It’s not my favorite but I like this Denver pant stripe that curls forward and how it’s matched by the jersey gusset/stripe that curls in around the pec. It may not be everyones cup of tea but the logo and uniform redesign are, I think, an improvement over the old orange crush days. And hell, they won a super bowl in it so who can complain? Not big on the number font though. Above the Panther pantstripe is also kind of unique in starting out ultra fat at the top and narrowing to a point at the knee.
It’s a brave new world in NFL fashion these days but as we’ll see in future columns change has been constant over the football years, just not at this pace and level of innovation. Time for this columnist to go off and peruse some cheerleader photo galleries and maybe even get helmet drunk. See you next time football fashion fans and keep those comments and tips coming !
Monday, September 29, 2008
Stand on the issues
Platform 2008
1. Solid dark pants with Dark jersey. Thumbs down... too college looking. Look at the Saints with Black pants and jersey... does that look right to you?
2. Captains patch. Thumbs down... too many freakin' patches as it is. Too many patches plus logo creep (hat tip to Uniwatch) and the jerseys become a big mess. Is this the NFL or some cheesy european soccer league?
3. Sock striping. Thumbs up. Horizontal striping ala the Bears, Pats, etc with the triple and the Jets with the double. It just says football. There should be more of it.
4. The Chargers re-design. Big thumbs down. Turning the shoulder bolt from vertical to horizontal was bad enough. Putting the white curved backdrop patch behind it just makes me want to puke.
5. The Bills playing in Canada. Thumbs down. London is one thing, but Canada has the CFL. If Ralph Wilson can't make money in Buffalo, move the team to Los Angeles.
6. Most recent ball re-design. Big thumbs down. Calling it the Duke again is a welcome and fitting tribute but the big gaudy NFL shield is just over the top. Is there anyone in the NFL design world that appreciates the beauty in simplicity, subtlety. Anyone grasp the idea that sometimes less is more?
7. A little wish list here... Wouldn't it be great if games in which the teams wore throwback uniforms they wore those old fashioned spikes with the white belt around the opening of the shoe? And how about using an era accurate ball, as in a Rozelle model game ball or an original design duke for uniforms from that time?...
1. Solid dark pants with Dark jersey. Thumbs down... too college looking. Look at the Saints with Black pants and jersey... does that look right to you?
2. Captains patch. Thumbs down... too many freakin' patches as it is. Too many patches plus logo creep (hat tip to Uniwatch) and the jerseys become a big mess. Is this the NFL or some cheesy european soccer league?
3. Sock striping. Thumbs up. Horizontal striping ala the Bears, Pats, etc with the triple and the Jets with the double. It just says football. There should be more of it.
4. The Chargers re-design. Big thumbs down. Turning the shoulder bolt from vertical to horizontal was bad enough. Putting the white curved backdrop patch behind it just makes me want to puke.
5. The Bills playing in Canada. Thumbs down. London is one thing, but Canada has the CFL. If Ralph Wilson can't make money in Buffalo, move the team to Los Angeles.
6. Most recent ball re-design. Big thumbs down. Calling it the Duke again is a welcome and fitting tribute but the big gaudy NFL shield is just over the top. Is there anyone in the NFL design world that appreciates the beauty in simplicity, subtlety. Anyone grasp the idea that sometimes less is more?
7. A little wish list here... Wouldn't it be great if games in which the teams wore throwback uniforms they wore those old fashioned spikes with the white belt around the opening of the shoe? And how about using an era accurate ball, as in a Rozelle model game ball or an original design duke for uniforms from that time?...
He didn't look old to me...neither did the uniform
Last week all the NY papers were on about how Farve looked old. Never mind that our man Brett has been having several multiple pick games every season since he was playing in diapers. Still somehow he manages to forge a hall of fame career. That stat isn't a sign of age you freakin' ninnies, its just part and parcel of his style of play.
So if we wanna go with the ridiculous trend from last week and put a positive spin on it, lets focus this week on his career stats while playing in the Titan throwback uni. Start with the six touchdown passes in one game.
Hey theres an idea... stats while in a certain uniform. I know theres a team version somewhere. (anyone know where?) but I bet individual hasn't been done.
Extra note on the Cards uni's. I love how they took what was originally the Denver curling pant stripe and let the pinstripe borders come down and then curl around and diving straight down in the middle of the front of the leg. The curling stripe was cool, this little addition puts a high gloss chrome finish on the idea. Well played ; )
So if we wanna go with the ridiculous trend from last week and put a positive spin on it, lets focus this week on his career stats while playing in the Titan throwback uni. Start with the six touchdown passes in one game.
Hey theres an idea... stats while in a certain uniform. I know theres a team version somewhere. (anyone know where?) but I bet individual hasn't been done.
Extra note on the Cards uni's. I love how they took what was originally the Denver curling pant stripe and let the pinstripe borders come down and then curl around and diving straight down in the middle of the front of the leg. The curling stripe was cool, this little addition puts a high gloss chrome finish on the idea. Well played ; )
Sunday, September 28, 2008
New podcast and Titan uni!
Check out the site for a new podcast! It's a little throwback discussion. The panel discusses the shoe on Joe Thiesmans broken leg!
In other fashion news the Jets will be wearing their throwback Titan uni's against the Cardinals today. This is a great matchup. I love the Titan uniform and I love what the Cardinals have done with their uniform in the past few years.The Titan helmet, devoid of logo, to me is like Mike Tyson in his heydey coming out with no sock. It just says "warrior". No frills smash mouth uniform baby! (I'm really out of hand with the exclamation points today eh?. What can I say I'm excited)
The thin horizontal striping on the sox is a perfect accent and the single helmet stripe goes together with the classic triple band over sholder striping like a zztop, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Cream caliber power trio. Yeah its elements are few in number but it roars down the field (visually) like a fucking Mack Truck. Bring it on Brenda Warners husband, WE'RE READY FOR YA!
But giving credit where it's due the Card uni is no slouch either. The innovation and creativity with the upper shoulder panels and the bold fading stripe in the pant legs goes where few football uni's have gone but still doesn't step over the line into "Fabulouuus" The gusset piping works... the collar piping, not so much. Overall it does a great job of looking totally new but still recogognizeable as the Cardinals of era's past. Kudo's to whoever oversaw this re-design.
Gentlemen, don your uni's. (pardon me while I channel Mills Lane here) LET'S GET IT ON !The Steelers will be wearing their throwbacks on the National stage on MNF tomorrow. More on that later ...
Friday, September 26, 2008
The fighting Gonads of Ball State
As you may have noticed we're freaks for details around here. One logo change that has developed into a trend over the past few years is making your teams mascot slightly meaner, slightly angrier looking. My first real notice of it years ago was the Bills changing from the static cud chewing, standing Buffalo to the streaking ton of buffalo meat horn bone and sinew that we know and love today. The Falcon is now more swept wing than just a few years ago, the Eagle more threatening etc, etc. My personal favorite is the redesign that consists of little more than changing the angle of attack on the eyebrow of the mascot to indicate more anger or determination.
First it was the slightly angrier Cardinal and now its the slightly angrier Dolphin. Unfortunately in their first year of switching from the happy flipper/Snowflake model to the angry attack mode aquatic mammal, they proceeded to go out and have one of the most horrific seasons in franchise history. Apparently their opponents were less than intimidated by flipper having a bad day and threatening to take it out on someone. The Cardinals? Well God bless 'em, I wish 'em well but they've always just been the Cardinals and even though they often look like they're on the verge of doing something, their bird in a snit also failed to intimidate.
Still I just love the idea that by increasing the angle of attack on the eyebrow of the animal, one increases ones chance of winning. Someone should send a memo to the association of league logo designers reminding them that the Browns had an ungodly decade long streak of dominating the leaugue somewhere in or around the 50's and did it with no mascot or logo at all. And while they're at it they could point out the Steelers dominance of the 70' was accomplished with one side of their helmet blank and the other sporting a non angry eyed semi corpoate logo on the other and no mascot at all. I'm just saying. Detroit should perhaps consider some change of their Lion logo. Perhaps the addition of an angry eye might help them... or maybe a streaking lion. How about a streaking Lion about to sink its teeth into the ass of a Gazelle? God knows the pose that's somewhere between the one on the Lowenbrau label and the "just escaped from the enclosure and about to disembowel a zookeeper" pose, hasn't done anything for them... ever. The Chargers have never won a Super Bowl but they won AFC championships and have a winning tradition and they're named after electricity. You don't argue with it. It works. I'm not a fan of they're recent redesign but their uniforms used to rock. Thankfully I think we don't ever have to worry about them trying to add an angry eye to the bolt.
Seahawks, Ravens, angry eye. Panthers, Broncos, Jaguars, angry eyes. Raiders... one eye and an eye patch. Bucs... empty eye socket. I love the Redskins uniform but if you look real close at the Redskin of the logo he has the sad eye of that crying roadside litter lamenting Indian from the old commercial. Him, I would actually recommend some kind of update for. They should go with Geronimo or Crazy horse or some Redskin who actually did instil some fear in opponents. Now there's a group of guys who had a reason to have an angry eye! Ram, Viking, Panther, all angry eyes. The Patriot is something of an exception looking more stoic than angry. I salute their refusing to jump on the irritated ocular bandwagon.
Which brings me back to my title. One day while vegging on the couch watching TV with Johnny O we heard a college score from a game involving Ball State. Doing our usual Beavis and Butthead riffing we began to wonder what kind of mascot ball state might have. We eventually settled on the Fighting Gonads. Not satisfied with the excellent name we began to envision the helmet side logo and it seemed perfect that the gonad is shaped just like a prolate spheroid... or football. So we sketched out a helmet complete with side logo gonad and trailing squiggly vas deferens tube. Then we modified the vas deferens stretching it out a bit and adding motion lines to make it a streaking gonad.
It still seemed to be missing something so we gave it an eye to add some personality. Of course we laughed like hyenas throughout the whole process but still it didn't feel finished. After the latest round of laughter subsided we sighed and sat back. Then in a moment of inspired genius that presaged the helmet designers of today John leaned forward without a word and with one stroke of his pencil added ... yep, you guessed it... the angry eyebrow. We exploded in laughter, tears rolling down our cheeks till our faces hurt and till the day I die I'll never hear a score involving that college without seeing the image of the Fighting Gonad of Ball state.... and his angry eyebrow.
Uniform designers around the league take note. Johnny O and I are available for free lance work.
First it was the slightly angrier Cardinal and now its the slightly angrier Dolphin. Unfortunately in their first year of switching from the happy flipper/Snowflake model to the angry attack mode aquatic mammal, they proceeded to go out and have one of the most horrific seasons in franchise history. Apparently their opponents were less than intimidated by flipper having a bad day and threatening to take it out on someone. The Cardinals? Well God bless 'em, I wish 'em well but they've always just been the Cardinals and even though they often look like they're on the verge of doing something, their bird in a snit also failed to intimidate.
Still I just love the idea that by increasing the angle of attack on the eyebrow of the animal, one increases ones chance of winning. Someone should send a memo to the association of league logo designers reminding them that the Browns had an ungodly decade long streak of dominating the leaugue somewhere in or around the 50's and did it with no mascot or logo at all. And while they're at it they could point out the Steelers dominance of the 70' was accomplished with one side of their helmet blank and the other sporting a non angry eyed semi corpoate logo on the other and no mascot at all. I'm just saying. Detroit should perhaps consider some change of their Lion logo. Perhaps the addition of an angry eye might help them... or maybe a streaking lion. How about a streaking Lion about to sink its teeth into the ass of a Gazelle? God knows the pose that's somewhere between the one on the Lowenbrau label and the "just escaped from the enclosure and about to disembowel a zookeeper" pose, hasn't done anything for them... ever. The Chargers have never won a Super Bowl but they won AFC championships and have a winning tradition and they're named after electricity. You don't argue with it. It works. I'm not a fan of they're recent redesign but their uniforms used to rock. Thankfully I think we don't ever have to worry about them trying to add an angry eye to the bolt.
Seahawks, Ravens, angry eye. Panthers, Broncos, Jaguars, angry eyes. Raiders... one eye and an eye patch. Bucs... empty eye socket. I love the Redskins uniform but if you look real close at the Redskin of the logo he has the sad eye of that crying roadside litter lamenting Indian from the old commercial. Him, I would actually recommend some kind of update for. They should go with Geronimo or Crazy horse or some Redskin who actually did instil some fear in opponents. Now there's a group of guys who had a reason to have an angry eye! Ram, Viking, Panther, all angry eyes. The Patriot is something of an exception looking more stoic than angry. I salute their refusing to jump on the irritated ocular bandwagon.
Which brings me back to my title. One day while vegging on the couch watching TV with Johnny O we heard a college score from a game involving Ball State. Doing our usual Beavis and Butthead riffing we began to wonder what kind of mascot ball state might have. We eventually settled on the Fighting Gonads. Not satisfied with the excellent name we began to envision the helmet side logo and it seemed perfect that the gonad is shaped just like a prolate spheroid... or football. So we sketched out a helmet complete with side logo gonad and trailing squiggly vas deferens tube. Then we modified the vas deferens stretching it out a bit and adding motion lines to make it a streaking gonad.
It still seemed to be missing something so we gave it an eye to add some personality. Of course we laughed like hyenas throughout the whole process but still it didn't feel finished. After the latest round of laughter subsided we sighed and sat back. Then in a moment of inspired genius that presaged the helmet designers of today John leaned forward without a word and with one stroke of his pencil added ... yep, you guessed it... the angry eyebrow. We exploded in laughter, tears rolling down our cheeks till our faces hurt and till the day I die I'll never hear a score involving that college without seeing the image of the Fighting Gonad of Ball state.... and his angry eyebrow.
Uniform designers around the league take note. Johnny O and I are available for free lance work.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Duke 2008
Too gaudy, don't you think? Give me the one with the Wilson gold lettering and the tastefull NFL on the other panel anyday.
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