Tag: throwbacks

NFL to relax alternate helmet restrictions in 2022, here’s what the Saints’ could look like

NFL to relax alternate helmet restrictions in 2022, here’s what the Saints’ could look like

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Good news, everyone! ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the NFL will allow teams to introduce alternate helmets for the 2022 season, with league spokesman Brian McCarthy clarifying that franchises must notify the NFL office of their plans for the new gear “by no later than July 31.” So while this change won’t come into effect this season, we could see a new look for the New Orleans Saints in 2022.

But there’s a catch, unfortunately. Chris Creamer of SportsLogos.Net adds that alternate helmets are only available for era-accurate throwback uniforms, or designs already in use for existing alternates or “Color Rush” variants. That means the popular Saints “Color Rush” uniforms could qualify for a matching white helmet, though there isn’t an official design in circulation just yet. New Orleans has worn those alternates as often as the league allows, and even petitioned for special permission in the playoffs, so they have time to figure out a plan.

It’s a blessing and a curse that the Saints got their look right the first time. They’ve tweaked the striping, fonts, and occasionally color saturation over the decades, but today’s uniforms aren’t that different from what New Orleans rolled out back in the day. That leaves just one possible alternate helmet for the Saints to dust off: their black helmets worn during the 1969 preseason, which made an immediate hit with players and fans but were banned by the NFL following a marketing dispute. Have a look for yourself:

These black helmets would look terrific with the “Black and Gold” throwbacks the Saints have used sparingly, most recently in 2016’s game with the Detroit Lions (and before that, in 2011 against the Houston Texans). Maybe pairing those throwbacks with alternate helmets would encourage the Saints to bring them back out into the light.

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Are you feeling this Dolphins’ orange throwback uniform concept?

Are you feeling this Dolphins’ orange throwback uniform concept?

Death. Taxes. Dolphins fans pining for the full-time return of the throwback style as the team’s primary uniform look. These are your certainties in life. And understandably so. The Dolphins’ modern uniform style is, well, perfectly fine. They’re a clean fit and nothing like some of the other abominations that teams across the NFL are wearing these days. But the recent return of the classic fit as Miami’s alternative uniform has recaptured the hearts of Dolphins fans everywhere as the team’s best look.

That argument is pretty convincing. Miami’s look from the 1970s & 1980s isn’t just a commemorative nod to the glory days of the franchise, the uniforms as is are especially clean and look great both on the television and in person. Miami adding a white uniform to complement the existing aqua version only added more fuel to the fire.

But what would the Dolphins do if they did indeed turned to those uniforms as the full-time look? Miami would suddenly have an unused “alternative” kit; as Miami only has white and aqua uniforms for the throwbacks. One bit of concept art may (or may not) be the ticket: an orange uniform in the same style as the current throwbacks.

We’ll let you be the judge:

The Dolphins have dabbled with orange looks in the past before — with mixed results. The Color Rush uniforms of the 2010s were about as big of a flop as you can draw up, the Dolphins looked like creamsicle popsicles running around on the field.

But the look of the 2000s in orange (think the 2004 Monday Night Football win over the Patriots with AJ Feeley at the helm) was a pretty promising alternative look that gave Miami’s uniforms a fresh look.

So what do you think, Dolphins fans? Most would agree a return to the throwbacks is the best decision that could be made. But would bringing this orange alternative look to life along with them be something you’d like to see, too?

When will Dolphins wear each of their uniform combinations in 2020?

When will Dolphins wear each of their uniform combinations in 2020?

The saying goes that you “must look good to play good” in sports. And while there is no scientific proof that this is actually fact, we’d like to believe that it is — especially given the Dolphins’ success in recent years when sporting the throwback uniforms. The Miami Miracle? Aqua throwbacks. The ‘Mountaineer Shot’ win over the Eagles in 2019? Aqua throwbacks. Miami has one of the most unique color pallets in the league and their ability to blend their modern look with the throwbacks gives the Dolphins a chance to uniquely showcase their wardrobe on any given Sunday.

They’ll do exactly that this season, too — as the team has released their 2020 uniform schedule. We hope you’ve got your jersey on tap, Dolphins fans. You’re going to need all of them.

Dec 29, 2019; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Miami Dolphins cornerback Eric Rowe (21) returns an interception for a touchdown past New England Patriots running back Sony Michel (26) during the first half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

White On Aqua

  • Week 1: @ New England Patriots (9/13/2020)
  • Week 5: @ San Francisco 49ers (10/11/2020)
  • Week 6: @ Denver Broncos (10/18/2020)
  • Week 9: @ Arizona Cardinals (11/8/2020)
  • Week 12: @ New York Jets (9/29/2020)
  • Week 16: @ Las Vegas Raiders (12/26 or 27/2020)
  • Week 17: @ Buffalo Bills (1/3/2021)
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