NFL gives players the option to wear guardian shells during games.

[Mango]

3 minutes ago, Jerome007 said:

With this, the major kickoff changes, going to 17 and probably 18 games... it's like a new game. Most of the previous records will be meaningless. No one comes close to popularity of the NFL in the US. Why trying to fix something that isn't broken?

 

Though I liked the padded helmets for practices, the limitation of practices overall and of padded contact practices, making players come off for a concussion tests, and many other changes. This seems overkill.

I think they’re trying to fix the broken brains.

 

Guardian helmets in Pop Warner and HS are starting to become a lot more popular. This is likely just sort of getting ahead of it. I suspect NCAA programs will also start soon 

[Mailman]

18 hours ago, RiotAct said:

Mark Kelso has (re-)entered the chat!!!

A true pioneer! lol

[Einstein]

The game is rapidly changing. I fear it will be unrecognizable in a decade.

[Nextmanup]

21 hours ago, Beast said:

https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/nfl-gives-players-option-to-wear-guardian-caps-during-games?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3sqgbZfzhd-y1KTLK-y7aAYxUmWRoSRzitAGOu9Z6xDHZ50ZhR_ijKC84_aem_AZlzJe1vi3GaXTj6hoBV3SyqiZ2kfiKgqgTHpKyLIkQVQi-hz7-dUwSWERmHTl_aQWEfZ1HGXiZ9bn-GcQd4qHYP#lvgxdiczo7o7redqx18
 

I wonder if Tua will wear one?

He would be stupid not to.  He will forever be at risk of head injury due to his history now, most of the time the cap thing won't really bother him as a QB, and they do help (a little) at energy reduction in a hit/collision.

 

At first it might a taboo thing around the league but you watch....in time tons of guys (the smart ones) will be wearing these things, unless they really bother the players when playing, which is something I know nothing about.

 

 

[Beast]

1 hour ago, Nextmanup said:

He would be stupid not to.  He will forever be at risk of head injury due to his history now, most of the time the cap thing won't really bother him as a QB, and they do help (a little) at energy reduction in a hit/collision.

 

At first it might a taboo thing around the league but you watch....in time tons of guys (the smart ones) will be wearing these things, unless they really bother the players when playing, which is something I know nothing about.

 

 

I don’t disagree and I’m sure the look of them will evolve when the product starts to be seen on television. If they look more stylish the stigma of wearing one will go away. Sounds stupid but it’s reality. Players want to look cool.

Edited April 27 by Beast

[boyst]

18 hours ago, Don Otreply said:

Yup, this right here, players also use substantially smaller pads than was common some years ago, are the pads better nowadays, or is it driven by fashion?

Driven by competitive edge. The pads are smaller but more protective. Players over the last 10 years have been indoctrinated with mobility and calisthenic fitness over shear power and dynamic strength. 

 

It never made sense for a defender to wear large pads to allow more surface area.  Offensive skill positions which must move through tackles and breaks also value this. 

 

Some NT's and OL still have big wide pads but the large pads block movement and were always a hindrance 

[boater]

Is there research behind these helmets, or just a seems right?

 

It seems the extra padding would exaggerate head movement on impact--maybe leading to neck injuries. My memory of Physics is 40 years old--does this helmet change the moment.

[mikemac2001]

They need to update the look and make it look better 

 

also I would have my entire d line wearing them just for chance of a deflection 

[Big Turk]

I see why most players opt not to use them...they look RIDICULOUS...

A Patriot player was wearing one Thursday night and he looked like Toad from Mario Bros. 🤣🤣

[BADOLBILZ]

On 4/27/2024 at 10:13 AM, Nextmanup said:

He would be stupid not to.  He will forever be at risk of head injury due to his history now, most of the time the cap thing won't really bother him as a QB, and they do help (a little) at energy reduction in a hit/collision.

 

At first it might a taboo thing around the league but you watch....in time tons of guys (the smart ones) will be wearing these things, unless they really bother the players when playing, which is something I know nothing about.

 

 

 

 

There are new helmet designs that are proven to work better than the guardian cap.   It will be something we see in games for a season or 2 but I doubt we will see "tons" of guys wearing them.   Just those who don't want to upgrade their actual helmets to the better tech.

[Scraps]

On 4/26/2024 at 4:26 PM, VaMilBill said:

If the guardian caps protect heads and it is proven, why the heck doesn’t the helmet making companies just make soft shell helmets essentially with more padding instead of the hard plastic or carbon fiber material it uses now?

The hard material distributes the force to a larger area of the impact absorbing padding.  This decreases peak g force and extends it over a longer period of time, which is better on the brain.  Having more padding on top will add some absorption but the hard surface is critically important.  That is why virtually every sports helmet has a hard shell, football, hockey, baseball for the batters, climbers, kayakers and canoeists ...

[Ridgewaycynic2013]

57 minutes ago, Big Turk said:

A Patriot player was wearing one Thursday night and he looked like Toad from Mario Bros. 🤣🤣

NE played like it, too.

[Drew21PA]

Hear me out

 

 ignorant - but wouldn’t this permit more guys to lower their heads becuase they “have protection “ and may get away with a little bit - potentially risking worse injuries like broken necks ?

[Scraps]

3 hours ago, Drew21PA said:

Hear me out

 

 ignorant - but wouldn’t this permit more guys to lower their heads becuase they “have protection “ and may get away with a little bit - potentially risking worse injuries like broken necks ?

Defenders aren't lowering their heads now to avoid penalties.  I doubt your fears would come to fruition.

[jcamm1966]

LB from Browns had  one on, just orange so looked all right