OT: NFL's shrinking pads (NYT)
If you're a longtime Michigan football fan, you can probably remember how enormous the shoulder pads of Jamie Morris were back in the '80s. Here's some discussion on why they've shrunk. Presumably the thinking is the same in college football:
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/26/sports/football/nfl-pads-michael-bennett.html
September 27th, 2018 at 7:19 AM ^
I’ve always wondered if the lack of padding on Rashan Gary’s shoulders contribute to his shoulder problems.
September 27th, 2018 at 2:01 PM ^
I think our equipment manager would be on that if it were the case.
September 27th, 2018 at 8:25 AM ^
*linked
September 27th, 2018 at 7:34 AM ^
Thanks for posting.... always wondered about that. +1
September 27th, 2018 at 7:35 AM ^
The game is increasingly about speed...and pads impede. It will be interesting to see how the relationship to injury is determined...it may be counter-intuitive.
September 27th, 2018 at 7:52 AM ^
My sons (13 & 9) and I saw Stevie Scott warming up before the MSU game and even they commented on how small his pads were.
September 27th, 2018 at 7:57 AM ^
The only "impact" injuries that put people out are usually head injuries. Padding doesn't stop knee injuries. You don't see many broken shoulders. Arms and legs being stretched or extended to far or the wrong way are the majority of injuries.
September 27th, 2018 at 8:07 AM ^
Nut cup alone takes a full half second off your forty. My senior year I hurt my knee and had to wear one of those lineman knee braces (I was a guard and nose guard). It significantly slowed me down.
September 27th, 2018 at 8:15 AM ^
Not a former player at any level so my question here might be able to be answered by those of you who did play in high school or beyond: I get the less padding = more mobility/agility idea. But does the wear and tear of repeated hits add up more with less padding? I realize that many players don't take big hits game in and game out, but for a featured RB for example: is it harder to stay at 100% if you've taken more hits with less padding as the season wears on?
Maybe I'm just old and out of shape but seems like that could really wear on the ol' bones after weeks of practice and games.
September 27th, 2018 at 9:51 AM ^
I played WR on a division 3 team. I'm not very quick but am tall and have good hands, so I would catch an 8 yard pass on 3rd and 7 and immediately get blasted by a linebacker or a safety. I wouldn't have made it through the season without the regular amount of pads along with a flak jacket on underneath for extra protection.
September 27th, 2018 at 10:18 AM ^
Do you think that's different for crazy elusive guys or D1 guys have D1 defenders on them so its probably the same?
September 27th, 2018 at 10:22 AM ^
I think it's probably different for a guy that the offense purposefully makes an effort to get him the ball in space so he can make a move and get yards after the catch. Because of my (relative lack of) athleticism I was more of a 'run a 10 yard curl route while defenders close in for kill shots and have about 40 YAC total all season'.
September 27th, 2018 at 8:18 AM ^
Seems like the game is getting closer to rugby style as the years go by with more and more tackling rules becoming enacted. Helmets remain the primary "weaponized component" that provide a false sense of security and clear the way for dangerous, head-to-head tackles. Of course, helmets carry the brands, and will never leave the game (at least as long as I'm alive). It's ironic that as helmets become safer with more concussion-reducing technology, they could become even more dangerous giving players a devil-may-care attitude regarding helmet-to-helmet contact.
September 27th, 2018 at 9:21 AM ^
well looks like i've reached my monthly limit for free articles.
can someone kindly please remind me next week to read this article.
September 27th, 2018 at 10:45 AM ^
Open it in an incognito window. No cookies.
September 27th, 2018 at 1:38 PM ^
tried it with google chrome. doesn't seem to work for me but thanks for the suggestion.
September 28th, 2018 at 1:31 AM ^
I was a Otackle and Dtackle, I hated big shoulder pads and leg pads. 90% of the time you're using your hands and quickness to beat people, especially in a pulling offense or gap shooting defense. Mobility was key.