New Helmet?
 

From Espn

[url=http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=lukas/110113_bulwark_football_helmets]Bulwark football helmets aim to improve concussion safety without compromising style - ESPN[/url]

Not sure about you guys but I think it looks pretty cool. Not sure about the face mask but if it helps protect these guys brains than I am all for it. Certainly better looking than the other two options the article mentions.

Re: New Helmet?
 

After seeing the helmet industry not make any real improvements to their design in 30 years or more (70's-90's), it is good to see some work is going into making a better helmet. I also like that there are small companies out there trying to make a difference.
Now the NFL has to mandate the use of some of the new technology.
Last night the NFL TV booth official mentioned that the NFL may demand all players have to use some type of knee, elbow, thigh and hip pads. I always wondered about why they did not do this years ago? It should not be up to the player.

Re: New Helmet?
 

Doesn't look as ugly as some of the safety concepts I've seen. It still looks like a football helmet, so if it's really safer, use it.

Here's another article and other ideas: [URL="http://www.wired.com/playbook/2010/08/better-football-helmet/"]Building a Better Helmet for a Dangerous Game | Playbook[/URL]
[URL="http://www.xenith.com/"]Home | Xenith[/URL]



Definitely beats Mark Kelso's look.
[IMG]http://www.msm.edu/Libraries/Images_other_programs/Kelso.sflb.ashx[/IMG][IMG]http://www.helmethut.com/DrDelrye/Dr102808a.jpg[/IMG]




Some less-than-great ideas:

[URL="http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/10_51/b4208044572350.htm"]Tech Innovator: A Soft-Sided Football Helmet - BusinessWeek[/URL]
[IMG]http://www.helmethut.com/DrDelrye/Dr102808b.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5287/5327532723_2e6623a79e_o.png[/IMG]

Re: New Helmet?
 

What the hell is that thing that the 49er guy is wearing?? It looks like an old rusted out helmet sitting on top of another helmet. Did the league actually use that thing??

Re: New Helmet?
 

[quote=Defensewins;778425]After seeing the helmet industry not make any real improvements to their design in 30 years or more (70's-90's), it is good to see some work is going into making a better helmet. I also like that there are small companies out there trying to make a difference.
Now the NFL has to mandate the use of some of the new technology.
Last night the NFL TV booth official mentioned that the NFL may demand all players have to use some type of knee, elbow, thigh and hip pads. I always wondered about why they did not do this years ago? It should not be up to the player.[/quote]

I was listening to the Ravens-Steelers on the radio and they mentioned that owners where upset about players missing games that could be avoidable due to mild knee, thigh etc injuries and having to pay the players for not playing. I'd be curious if the owners have a monetary figure that they feel they are loosing due to players not using pads. I agree though you can't let players decide on the amount of protection.

Re: New Helmet?
 

Looks good, whatever works

Re: New Helmet?
 

Lol, no wonder the Gladiator never caught on. They choose some random engineer that was an undersized CB in high school to model for the cover. Get a bad ass Linebacker and maybe your product will have a chance.

Re: New Helmet?
 

He's got a long way to go before that helmet makes it to the NFL, but if this is the design that will help reduce concussions I'm rooting for him.

Re: New Helmet?
 

The NFL should consider the ultimate Concussion Proof Helment.
[IMG]http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSGf0pX0-j2rWBrWRuwuBE5F8MRNeh_QprWgYqPoqxycdszsdNg[/IMG]

I guarantee you no one will lead with their head if they have to wear this.

Re: New Helmet?
 

[quote=SolidSnake84;778455]What the hell is that thing that the 49er guy is wearing?? It looks like an old rusted out helmet sitting on top of another helmet. Did the league actually use that thing??[/quote]Yep, think the Great Kazoo from the Flintstones.

Re: New Helmet?
 

Has any of the helmets stopped concussions? God I've seen so many changes since the 70's, yet as the helmets change and the promise of less concussions are made, have we really seen a decline in it?

It almost seems like becaues the helmet is supposed to be better, and stronger, the players feel they should be able to hit harder and the players continue to get concussions due to the lack of properly rapping up opponants and tackling them. It seems it's all about just throwing your body at the opponanat and trying to knock them the "F" out.

But thats why I and millions of people tune in to watch football. Otherwise we might as well watch flag football.

Re: New Helmet?
 

[quote=SolidSnake84;778455]What the hell is that thing that the 49er guy is wearing?? It looks like an old rusted out helmet sitting on top of another helmet. Did the league actually use that thing??[/quote]

It's a foam shell

Re: New Helmet?
 

[quote=SolidSnake84;778455]What the hell is that thing that the 49er guy is wearing?? It looks like an old rusted out helmet sitting on top of another helmet. Did the league actually use that thing??[/quote]
Steve Wallace is the guy in that picture. He used that helmet and it probably extended his playing days at the end of his career. Here's a brief article about him using it: [url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/426722-steve-wallace-and-nfl-concussions-the-solution-was-found-years-ago]Steve Wallace and NFL Concussions: The Solution Was Found Years Ago | Bleacher Report[/url]

Re: New Helmet?
 

[quote=Mattyk;778497]It's a foam shell[/quote]

Yep, Kelso made it famous first.

Re: New Helmet?
 

[quote=Buster;778438]Doesn't look as ugly as some of the safety concepts I've seen. It still looks like a football helmet, so if it's really safer, use it.

Here's another article and other ideas: [URL="http://www.wired.com/playbook/2010/08/better-football-helmet/"]Building a Better Helmet for a Dangerous Game | Playbook[/URL]
[URL="http://www.xenith.com/"]Home | Xenith[/URL]



Definitely beats Mark Kelso's look.
[IMG]http://www.msm.edu/Libraries/Images_other_programs/Kelso.sflb.ashx[/IMG][IMG]http://www.helmethut.com/DrDelrye/Dr102808a.jpg[/IMG]




Some less-than-great ideas:

[URL="http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/10_51/b4208044572350.htm"]Tech Innovator: A Soft-Sided Football Helmet - BusinessWeek[/URL]
[IMG]http://www.helmethut.com/DrDelrye/Dr102808b.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5287/5327532723_2e6623a79e_o.png[/IMG][/quote]

They both look like the Gazzooo offf the old Flintstone shows.

Re: New Helmet?
 

The thing that looks the "best" is the fact we are finding ways to eliminate concussions. I really could care less how a helmet looks, as long as it increases safety without impacting the game.

Re: New Helmet?
 

[quote=hooskins;778667]The thing that looks the "best" is the fact we are finding ways to eliminate concussions. I really could care less how a helmet looks, as long as it increases safety without impacting the game.[/quote]

I agree. No matter how they look (unless it was really crazy) everyone would eventually become used to it anyway and it would look fine.

Re: New Helmet?
 

[quote=hooskins;778667]The thing that looks the "best" is the fact we are finding ways to eliminate concussions. I really could care less how a helmet looks, as long as it increases safety without impacting the game.[/quote]

I agree to a certain extent. That Gladiator helmet looks like a toy helmet.

Re: New Helmet?
 

The guy's face isn't helping the Gladiator helmet either because it's tiny. In the end it boils down to conditioning. If we show some of the helmets, fashion accessories, etc. to someone from the 1800's they would think it is odd because they are not use to that type of style.

Re: New Helmet?
 

Our military has been using reactive armor for decades, and if I'm not mistaken the former USSR pioneered the use of it for armored vehicles. Recently the use of non- explosive panels have been used. Two metal plates sandwich an inert liner, such as rubber. When struck by a shaped charge's metal jet, some of the impact energy is dissipated into the inert liner layer, and the resulting high pressure causes a localized bending or bulging of the plates in the area of the impact. As the plates bulge, the point of jet impact shifts with the plate bulging, increasing the effective thickness of the armor. I guess my point is, has this technology been used or investigated for players of all levels?

Re: New Helmet?
 

Buck that sounds pretty expensive too. Possibly another factor.

Re: New Helmet?
 

If the helmets could potentially cost a few thousand or so a piece I would still think that it is worth it. I have no clue as to how many helmets the average player goes through in a season, it would not surprise me to learn that its 1 or 16.