THE Jeff … and his Helmet Concepts — AFC Version (or…’When the Inmate runs the Asylum’)

By Phil Hecken

I had really hoped to bring you the twice promised NCAA Bowl Pool contest (and in fact, this may still happen, but not today). For that I apologize. The UWer with whom I had planned on bringing you that contest had been working on the parameters of said contest for a year, and I know he’s devoted a lot of hours to it already. However, as of 1:30 am last night, when I put this post to bed, it wasn’t finished.

Therefore, we have today’s main article, which features one of UW’s most prolific posters. I had been holding this off for a quieter time, but it’s going to suffice for today. And I have to say, quite a bit of time and energy went into what you’re about to see.

It’s been a while since I allowed THE anywhere near the boards we had the strange, bizarre, and sometimes incredibly brilliant concepts from “The Jeff” Provo. However, I couldn’t delay running these any longer, so now he’s back with a boatload of new designs for the helmets of the NFL. Today, we’ll look at the AFC. There’s not much to say, and what there is to say…well, THE will say it below. So, without further ado, here’s THE:

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AFC Helmet Concepts
By Jeff Provo

Hey Phil. Remember when I said I was going to flood you with helmet images? Well, here’s the flood – there’s 81 helmets total. I split them up into AFC and NFC – my (brief) descriptions are below.

…and for the record, I don’t think all of these are improvements. For example I think the Bengals and Rams helmets are perfect as they are, but I felt that I had to do something for each team.

AFC North

Bengals
1 – Tiger head on orange helmet
2 – Full tiger body on white helmet
3 – The B logo on a black helmet

Browns (I really hate blank helmets)
1 – The Browns wordmark
2 – The Bulldog logo
3 – A CB in a brown oval – probably a bit too similar to the 49ers
4 – The Brownie logo on a white helmet
5 – The team is named after Paul Brown, right?
6 – A brown helmet with player numbers on the side

Steelers
1 – I decided to put just the hypocycloid things on the helmet instead of the entire Steelmark logo.
2 – This one is meant to immitate the way the steel logo is often stamped into many steel items.

Ravens
1 – I just took the B off of the bird, as many others have done before me.
2 – A Jaguars-style black-to-purple helmet and the front facing bird head.
3 – “Retro” helmet with the B logo and traditional striping.

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AFC East

Bills
1 – Slight modifications to their current helmet. If they’re going to use navy trim, then they should use it in a way that’s actually visable.
2 – …and what I wish they’d have switched to instead of the white helmet, again making the navy trim actually apparent.

Dolphins
1 – This was sorta inspired by the “bowling ball” UCLA helmet. No, it shouldn’t ever be worn.
2 – I simply took the helmet off of the dolphin.
3 – Since the dolphin doesn’t need the helmet, the team can use it instead.

Jets
1 – Green helmet with a white facemask. This is what they should be wearing when they use the green pants, if only NFL rules allowed it.
2 – Replaced the current logo with the alternate NY logo that never seems to actually get used anywhere.
3 – What if they never changed from their Titans colors?
4 – What if they never changed from their Titans colors, part 2.
5 – Imagine if they’d truly gone BFBS in 1990 instead of just adding trim.

Patriots
1 – I’ve always thought the original 1960 logo was the best thing they had before Elvis, so I thought I’d try it on a silver helmet.
2 – This is obviously based on the 1776 American flag. The B is for Boston, but you could also use player numbers or just remove it entirely.

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AFC West

Broncos
1 – What if the Broncos had never switched to blue helmets?
2 – Remember the interview on the XFL logos and subsequent argument about whether or not the Broncos’ D was poorly designed? I said then that they should have used just the D – here’s how that looks.

Chargers
1 – Added helmet numbers to the 1974 helmet.
2 – Powder blue helmets, because why not?
3 – Lightning bolt down the middle instead of on the sides, with the Charger Horse/shield logo. Probably too similar to the Raiders to try today, but it could have worked in 1960.

Chiefs
1 – I thought I’d try a Dallas Texans style logo – so it’s Missouri with a star on it.

Raiders
1 – I wanted to eliminate the white from the Raiders helmets. The text is silver, the swords have bronze handles and silver blades, and the pirate’s face is a flesh tone. I’m not really sure if I like it or not.
2 – Inspired by the AL sticker – I replaced AL with player numbers, and again no white on the helmet.
3 – What if Oakland had never changed their colors? (Well, I probably wouldn’t be a Raiders fan, ick.)

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AFC South

Colts
1 – Blue facemask, a double stripe to match the rest of the uniform, and player numbers inside the horseshoe.
2 – The old kicking colt logo, minus the helmet.

Jaguars
1 – The Jags original prototype uniforms had silver helmets, so why not try the current logo on a silver helmet?

Texans
1 – Red helmet.
2 – Another Dallas Texans style helmet, with the star moved appropriately.
3 – Oilers colors

Titans
1 – A lot of people seem to hate the “flying thumbtack” and the short stripes… so here’s the T/Sword logo and traditional striping.
2 – Light blue helmet and the flames have been extinguished.
3 – A white version of helmet 2.

Oilers (why not?)
1 – Titans colors
2 – Texans colors

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Thanks, THE. Like a lot of your concepts, I find you to be a blind squirrel — every so often you’ll find a nut. And I mean that as a compliment — there were really a couple of very, very good ideas in this batch. Interestingly enough, more than two years ago, I embarked on a similar helmet concept design spree. I see we have some similar ideas (and mine are really crappy quailty-wise). But there are definitely some where we are thinking alike. Just having fun, though. Of course, all of mine would have gray facemasks, and I don’t mind a blank helmet (although none of the concepts were blanks).

I especially liked your adding TV numbers to a couple of the concepts. This is an idea that needs to return to the NFL. Stat.

Readers? Let him have it…

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Colorize This!

Occasionally, I will be featuring wonderful, high-quality black and white photographs that are just begging to be colorized.

Back with a full slate of colorizations today, after a week hiatus. Let’s get right to it.

First up is Gary Chanko:

We all remember Vince Banonis, University of Detroit two time All American, eleven year NFL veteran, member College Football HOF. Well, I’m pretty certain most of you probably don’t!

I discovered Vince while searching the Library of Congress photo collection for vintage football images. In this 1941 photo, the helmet with the “D” logo is what caught my eye.

The University of Detroit abandoned collegiate football in the Sixties. Basketball fans will recall Dickie V as the Titans head coach in the mid Seventies.

University of Detroit school colors are red, white and blue, but I was unable to find information about the unis fielded back in the day. So I had to guess the color scheme depicted in the colorization.

More about Vince’s career here.

Gary

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If you recall, a couple of weeks ago, during the last “Colorize This!” segment, Gary took on the BYU team who wore orange(!). There was still some question as to the correctness of the uniform, however (Gary had thought the pants may have been blue), so, like any good Uni Watcher, he did his due diligence:

Phil:

Here’s the revised version the 1941 BYU team based on new research information. Somehow the pants and helmet colors just don’t seem correct but that’s what the research shows.

Hopefully we’ll get further feedback to determine if the new colorization hits the target.

Gary

Thanks Gary. Your work and dedication to the cause are always deeply appreciated!

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Next up is Louis J. Chirillo, who is new to UW colorizations, and who wanted to start off with a “bang.” As he himself will acknowledge, I’m not sure whether these are just “wrong” or “awesome.” Maybe a little of both:

Hi Phil,

I’m a Uni Watch fan, and seeing all these great colorizations made me want to give it a try. I used Photoshop Elements 7.

Not only did I want to try my hand at colorizing, but I thought it would be fun to create a “sacrilege” series.

1) Babe Ruth in 1977 Seattle Mariners colors.

2) Maurice Rocket Richard. If he had been on the team, the Thrashers never would have left Atlanta.

3) Bill Russell. What would Red Auerbach say about his star playing jumping to the Vancouver Grizzlies?

Cheers,
Louis Chirillo

Um…wow? No seriously, great job, I just don’t know whether seeing any of those players on those teams (and in those colors) is wonderful…or horrible. Keep them coming though.

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Next up is Ryan Dowgin, who burst onto the Colorize This! scene last time with some great first efforts for Colgate. He’s back with some more, and he’s been studying under the tutelage of Gary Chanko — so feast your eyes on this:

Hey Phil,

I have been in contact with Gary Chanko since Sunday and he has been helping (read: holding my hand) with my latest project. His tips and guidance have been invaluable. That said, this photo is of Andy Kerr observing practice at Colgate. The player (he may have been coach at this point since I am not sure of the exact year of the photo) with the maroon shoulders is John Orsi. Both Kerr and Orsi are College Football Hall of Famers. I will have to start hunting around for my next project, but do not expect that one until next week.

Here’s the colorized photo.

Ryan

Of course, this stuff is addictive (as long as you have the time), so Ryan was able to complete another and even has a colorization candidate for the next round of Colorize This!:

Hey Phil,

Here is the pic I have been working on this week. It is another one of Andy Kerr and John Orsi on the Colgate practice field, and my best guess on the year is 1931.

I also included a picture that was able to give me some perspective on the structure behind them (the caption on the pic says “Colgate Scrimmage Machine”). That might be my next pic to colorize but I haven’t decided yet.

Ryan

Thanks Ryan! Keep it up (and it’s great you’re able to work with Gary on these).

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Our penultimate colorization today comes from John Turney, who actually sent what follows to Paul without a writeup. The subject needs no introduction, but I immediately recognize this as Tom Terrific from 1966, who spent one season with the Jacksonville Suns of the International League, before joining the Mets in 1967.:

Tom Seaver

Thanks, John.

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We conclude the actual colorizations with, who else, George Chilvers, the other half of the “G&G Boys,” who is back from holiday with a picture, and a history lesson:

Hi Phil

Well I’m back from the sunny climes of Arabia, but still haven’t really got back into gear colourising. I’ve a couple on the go at the moment but incomplete so I’ll just send you this to be going on with from the stocks. I don’t think I’ve sent it to you before :)

Must tell you though that I went to a couple of football games when I was out there. Best thing? Entry to games is free :) Anyway on to the colourisation:

The English Football League consists of 92 clubs in 4 divisions, clubs outside the 92 are called “non-League”. Nowadays the bottom two League clubs drop out and are automatically replaced by the two top non-League teams. But back in 1971 when this picture comes from, things were different. “The 92” was a closed-shop, and only if they elected to boot out an existing member and allow in an outsider could entry be gained.

In 1971 Wigan Athletic were a top non-League club, and in the FA Cup they were drawn away to First Division Manchester City, winners of the FA Cup in 1969 and the European Cup-Winners Cup in 1970. Wigan were deemed to have no chance, but played a magnificent game only losing 1-0 to an unlucky goal. This picture shows the striped shirted City’s Francis Lee heading goalwards during the game. Plaudits were heaped on the team, and it was considered by many that they would stand a good chance of getting elected to the League. But they didn’t. And the tale is that they didn’t because the club Chairman gave each of the voting clubs a Parker pen – and they viewed this as an attempt at bribery!

Wigan however were elected in 1979, and 40 years later from 1971 are in their 7th season in the top division, now called the Premier League. Forty years ago if you had said that to anyone in the world of football, including the most die-hard Latics fan, you would have been roundly ridiculed and sent off to see a psychiatrist. Strange how things work out.

Best wishes,

George

Thanks George. Great to have you back.

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As far as future colorization suggestions, I received the following e-mails from Chris Bisbee, the first one was the 1937 Rose Bowl:

Phil,

A colorizing candidate maybe?

R/
Chris Bisbee

Many of us remember Jackie Robinson for a certain achievement on April 15, 1947, but we often forget he was a multi-sport star at UCLA:

Phil,

J Robinson UCLA

And finally, who can forget how great those LA Rams looked with in their gold jerseys?

Phil,

LA Rams 1955

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I also heard from UW’s Pacific Rim correspondent, Jeremy Brahm, who sent this one in:

Phil,

Check out this shot of the New Haven Eagles. May want to contact the site before using it though.

From here.

Jeremy

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And there you have it. A FINE week of colorizations from everyone! Thanks to all who contributed, and to our newest colorizers, keep it up! If you want to send in a colorization, or have a great B&W photo you think would make for a good color photo, drop me a line.

Back next time with more!

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Uni Tweaks Concepts

We have another new set of tweaks, er…concepts today. After discussion with a number of readers, it’s probably more apropos to call most of the reader submissions “concepts” rather than tweaks. So that’s that.

So if you’ve concept for any sport, or just a tweak or wholesale revision, send them my way.

Please do try to keep your descriptions to ~50 words (give or take) per image — if you have three uniform concepts in one image, then obviously, you can go a little over, but no novels, OK? OK!. You guys have usually been good with keeping the descriptions pretty short, and I thank you for that.

And so, lets begin:

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We start with Bruce Genther, with a bunch of NFL concepts:

Phil,

Attached are uniform changes/tweaks for the Redskins, Lions and Chargers for all to enjoy and comment on.

Redskins new home and road (2 illustrations)

Lions new home and road (1 illustration)

Chargers new home and road multiple uniform options (3 illustrations)

Titans new home and road multiple uniform options (5 illustrations)

Enjoy!

Bruce Genther

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Next up is Ronnie Poore, who had a different tweak on the Titans:

Hey Phil,

I’ve got a Tennessee Titans tweak. I took the Oilers throwback they wore a couple of years back and just changed the helmet logo. This would be a cool uniform (attached)

Ronnie Poore

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And our final concepter today is my old buddy, and one of UW’s finest graphic artists, “Pretty Boy Paulie” Paul Soto, with some Marlins concepts — you may recall, Paul was all over the “Miami” Marlins in a bunch of concepts he did for us way back in March of 2009. Here’s his latest:

Good day Phil!

I haven’t whipped up one of these in a while but after the Marlins unveiled their new threads I was compelled to tweak them. I loved the vision they had for their unis but I felt the execution was a little off. I actually like the black at home and orange on the road. Plus a more traditional looking number typeface.

Home
Home Alt
Road

Home Wordmark
Road Wordmark

Home Numbers
Road Numbers

— Paul Soto

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Great job all. Back with more next time.

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Benchies

by Rick Pearson

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Seemed like a good time to ask…

And, of course, your full-size.

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Trackin’ The Terps…

Our multitalented Jim Vilk doesn’t just compile a few “bonus” 5 & 1 selections after the conclusion of the regular season in the NCAA, he was also fascinated by the Maryland Terrapins and their attempt to become the Oregon of College Park. He added it as a weekly addition to the normal 5 & 1, and just for today, Jim has taken the time to compile a “Terrapin Tracker” for the entire season — which will be followed by a new special, one-time-only post-season feature, the “all Maryland 5 & 1”.

Only a mothervilker could care this much…

Here’s Jim’s tracker:

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vs. Miami

vs. WVU

vs. Temple

vs. Towson

at Georgia Tech

vs. Clemson

at Florida State

vs. Boston College

vs. Virginia

vs. Notre Dame

at Wake Forest

at NC State

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Thanks Jim. Now. Let’s see how they ranked.

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Jim Vilk’s 5 & 1
Terrapin Edition

Not content to give us *just* an entire season of Maryland Terrapin uniforms, via the now patented “Mothervilker Terp Tracker,” Jim just had to rank them too.

Ah, I can’t wait to see the Oregon 5 and 1…none. Here’s Jimmer:

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Followers of the 5&1 noticed something different this year – the addition of the Terp Tracker. I started doing it just for kicks, but as the season ended I thought about making a 5&1 similar to what I do for Phil’s Ducks.

5. vs. Temple – The Owls really carried this matchup, though.

4. vs. Clemson – So did the Tigers, but the Terps look pretty good here.

3. at NC State – My favorite pants of the whole set.

2. at Florida State – My least favorite pants…but oh, those shelmets!

1. vs. Virginia – From the waist up, this could have been a regular Top Fiver.

And the bad one: vs. Miami – Actually, I liked the gradient-number uni even less, but Towson looks better than Miami.

Hmm…I should have done a Hokie Tracker instead…

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Thanks J. You can still do a Hokie Tracker (or a Cowboy Tracker, or a Sparky Tracker or a…)

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And that will do it for today. Enjoy your Sunday and the pro game. I still hope to have a UW Bowl Pool up and running and it’s possible that it will be ready today — if so, I’ll add it to the post. So check back a couple of times during the day to see if it’s ready. If not…well, I don’t know when we’ll have it.

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“Would you honestly take any uniform advice from that slob Prince Fielder, or these clowns who wear their pants past their heels or a superstitious starting pitcher? About 97% of MLBers don’t even know how to look like a MLBer.” — Mark Peterson