New ESPN column today — here’s the link.
Meanwhile: Every so often, someone writes in and says, “Why don’t you write about the designs on basketball courts, or the logos painted on football fields, or stadium design?”
As I’ve always explained to the people who raise this type of question, I’m interested in field/court/ice/arena design, but I’ve held off on writing about it because, strictly speaking, it’s not uni-related. But this type of material clearly falls within the wider boundaries of athletics aesthetics, and I recently told myself, “The next time someone raises a really good issue regarding fields or courts or whatever, I’ll run with it.”
That day came yesterday, when I got a note from Brian Hunsicker, a sportswriter for a small daily newspaper in northern Virginia. Here’s his communiqué:
On Friday night I covered a game between Woodbridge and C.D. Hylton high schools. It was Woodbridge’s homecoming, and the school celebrated by painting its yardlines black. The individual yardlines along the sideline and the inside of the numbers were painted yellow.
After the game, I asked Woodbridge’s coach in passing if it was legal, and he said it didn’t matter what color they used, as long as it was contrasting. …
Anyway, I’ve been playing or covering football for most of my life and have yet to see anything like this.
This is definitely a first for me, too. Even Boise State’s blue gridiron has white yard markers. Anyone else ever seen anything like this?
Anyway, a field with black yardlines seems perfect for Halloween, no?
Signal Flare: If Matthew T. Olson is reading this, please get in touch — thanks.
Uni Watch News Ticker: Speaking of field graphics, anyone interested in that subject area should check out these guys. … While looking at photos of Maryland’s black jerseys and red-trimmed undersleeves yesterday, I noticed something I hadn’t picked up on before: The Terps appear to have football’s subtlest rear-helmet uni numbers (here’s another view). I like, I like. … Thanks to Mark Dagwell for pointing out this article about the 1974-75 Washington Capitals’ white pants (although the article mistakenly says they wore the white breezers with their home unis, when they actually wore them on the road). … Good catch by Billy Ramirez, who notes that the space between the Panthers’ helmet stripes is a lot narrower for players wearing the Riddell Revolution helmet — compare this and this to this and this. … Lots of Ohio State news, courtesy of Buckeyes fanatic Chad Klenk. For starters: It’s tough to see, but OSU is wearing a black “AP” helmet decal in honor of freshman Andrew Polakowski, who died in an elevator accident on October 20th. Also, as Klenk explains, “Anthony Gonzalez has worn a different helmet/facemask each year: 2004, 2005, 2006. And Troy Smith is sporting a different facemask this season than he has in the past.” … Good to see that Adidas is taking good care of its talent (with thanks to Morris Bird). … Odd catch by Eric Distenfeld, who notes that Ian Laperriere’s jersey sort of folded over on Sunday night, briefly creating the illusion that he was wearing the “C” and the “A” simultaneously.
#1 by N. on 10.31.06 8:49 am |
maybe it’s just tooo early fr me, but souldn’t it make more sense to call the company Graphics 2 Grass? just throwin that out there..
#2 by Nolan on 10.31.06 8:53 am |
This is from the Field painting company. Wow, these people are real fans
#3 by bud on 10.31.06 8:54 am |
in the link about the panthers helmet stripes, in this picture of KJ he’s just wearing a regular riddell helmet with the stripes placed close together.
in other OSU helmet news, has anyone else noticed that Ted Ginn, Jr. has been wearing a punter/kicker facemask this year? compare to previous years here.
#4 by Patrick Baude on 10.31.06 9:00 am |
i believe it is spelled laperriere
#5 by Andrew on 10.31.06 9:19 am |
I caught an Australian Rules football game on TV a while ago and they seemed to have painted logos on the field that were elongated, so when seen by the TV camera (which is up at an angle) the logos appeared to almost pop out of the field! Has anyone else seen this, heard anything about it? Does anyone have pictures? Personally, I thought the effect was cool, although a little annoying to have advertisements on the field. BUT, imagine an NFL game, where the 50 yard line logo seemed to be propped vertically on the field! I think that would be pretty cool.
On a related note, when the broadcast switched to field level cameras, you could see the shape of the field logo was VERY elongated. I bet it looks terrible in the stadium… that is, unless your seats are at the same level as the TV cameras.
#6 by Kenn on 10.31.06 9:24 am |
I’m a high school football official, and I can’t find anything in the rule book that says field markings have to be white.
It does say:
Rule 1: The Game, Field, Players and Equipment
Section 2: THE FIELD AND MARKINGS
Article 3
Art. 3 . . . Lines and other markings:
a. Lines shall be marked with a noncaustic material. Neither lime, hydrated lime or other chemical derivatives of lime, nor caustic material of any kind may be used.
NOTE: Powdered gypsum, calcium carbonate and liquid aerosol paint designed for marking fields and containing only nontoxic material, meet the specifications or qualifications for marking football fields.
b. Yard lines shall be marked with a continuous line every 5 yards beginning and ending 4 inches from each sideline.
NOTE: Game administration may place on the field of play, 4 inches from each sideline, yard-line extensions that should be 24 inches in length and 4 inches in width.
c. End lines and sidelines shall be continuous lines at least 4 inches wide. All other field dimension lines should be marked 4 inches in width.
NOTE: Game administration may place a 4-inch-wide broken restraining line around the outside of the field, 2 or more yards from the sidelines and end lines, as an extension of the line limiting the team box area for purpose of aiding game officials with unobstructed operating area near the boundaries.
d. Inbounds lines “a series of hash marks†should be 24 inches in length and 4 inches in width and shall be located 53 feet, 4 inches from and parallel with each sideline dividing the field of play longitudinally in thirds. The inbounds lines shall be marked so that each 5-yard line bisects the hash mark.
NOTE 1: Game administration may place on the field of play, at the inbounds lines, yard-line extensions that should be 24 inches in length and 4 inches in width.
NOTE 2: It is permissible to use college or professional fields with inbounds lines marked at the distance specified by their respective codes.
e. Nine-yard marks, 12 inches in length and 4 inches in width, shall be located 9 yards from each sideline. The 9-yard marks shall be marked so that at least each successive 10-yard line bisects the 9-yard marks. These marks shall not be required if the field of play is visibly numbered. If on-the-field numbers are used, the tops of those numbers shall be 9 yards from the sideline, should be 6 feet in height and 4 feet in width and may include directional arrows next to the yard-line numbers indicating the direction toward the nearest goal line.
f. Team boxes shall be marked on each side of the field outside the coaches’ area between the 25-yard lines for use of coaches, substitutes, trainers, etc., affiliated with the team. The coaches’ area is a minimum of a 2-yard belt between the front of the team box and the sideline.
NOTE 1: It is permissible for both team boxes to be on the same side of the field, provided each team box is marked between respective 20- and 45-yard lines.
NOTE 2: It is recommended goal lines and the team box boundaries be marked in a color which contrasts with other field markings and the area between the sidelines and the team box boundaries be solid white or marked with diagonal lines.
g. Decorative markings in the end zones shall be no closer than 2 feet to the boundary and the goal lines. Advertising and/or commercial markings on the field of play are prohibited.
h. Measurements shall be from the inside edges of the boundary marks, such marks being out of bounds.
i. Each goal-line mark shall be entirely in its end zone so the edge toward the field of play and its vertical plane is the actual goal line. The goal line shall extend from sideline to sideline.
#7 by Kim on 10.31.06 9:25 am |
Here’s something interesting about LAPERRIERE and his alternate Avalanche jersey. The number of individually applied characters to the jersey.
He wears #14, that’s in 3 places (back and both sleeves) - 6 characters
His name is 10 characters
Colorado is spelled out on the jersey - 8 characters
The Assistant’s A is the last character.
A grand total of 25 characters, all placed indivudually on the jersey (either by the team or manufacturer). Not as much as his former teammate Konowalchuck, though.
#8 by John on 10.31.06 9:25 am |
Actually Johnson wears a Schutt helmet, not a regular Riddell VSR-4. Thanks for posting the picture; I was just getting ready to look for a photo of a Carolinal player with a Schutt helmet to point out that they use the narrow stripe spacing on both Schutt helmets and Riddell Revolution helmets.
If I have some more spare time, I’ll look around and see if either the Titans or Ravens (who also have the small stripes) alter the spacing on Schutt and Revolution helmets.
#9 by Chad on 10.31.06 9:26 am |
Did anyone notice that some of the Cowboy’s linemen have shortened their sleeves to the point they had to drop one of the jersey stripes. Greg Ellis was one on the offenders. I have not found a picture yet.
#10 by John on 10.31.06 9:27 am |
While I know the different helmet manufacturers, evidently I can’t spell C A R O L I N A correctly this morning.
#11 by Banker Bill on 10.31.06 9:33 am |
Wow - I feel used - I mentioned in the comments yesterday about the nhl.com article on the white pants… but someone else got the credit!
All kidding aside, black yard markers are different - but couldn’t be used for any major college or pros - don’t think they’d show well on TV.
#12 by bud on 10.31.06 9:33 am |
you’re right, that is a schutt helmet in the picture… if you’ll look close you cans see why the stripes are close together. anyone? anyone? look at the vent holes and their location relative to the stripes.
#13 by Mark on 10.31.06 9:34 am |
i have noticed that too, it is very odd seeing the players run “through” the logo. if i am not mistaken, they also use this kind of advertising in soccer matches and rugby matches.
great topic, i know that it isn’t contrasting, or “too” out of the ordinary, but i have always gotten a kick out of how Georgia marks the goal line between the hedges. finally, earlier this year, i think someone noted that arizona state uses pitchforks on the field rather than arrows, subtle, but very cool.
#14 by Micah on 10.31.06 9:41 am |
Troy Smith is also wearing a different face shield; Oakley last year, Nike this year.
#15 by Bob Sullivan on 10.31.06 9:41 am |
The University of Maryland has always had difficulty coming up with uniform designs. The problem stems from the the fact that the Maryland state flag contains four colors (black, gold, red, white) which are the colors of the two founding families (Baltimore and Calverts). So, there’s a challenge out there for someone. Design a football uniform that contains the four colors in some sort of attractive way.
#16 by Ian K on 10.31.06 9:45 am |
I like the numerals on the Maryland helmets. The decals make it look like the numbers are 3-dimensionally raised. Is that really the case or are mine eyes playing tricks on me?
#17 by Teebz on 10.31.06 9:47 am |
It’s Konowalchuk. How much wood could a Konowalchuk chuck… never mind. :o)
#18 by Burrill on 10.31.06 9:56 am |
I have seen black lines on a football field, but they weren’t football lines.
Saline High School (the team that wears the solid blue unis) built a new stadium with an artificial turf field, and, as usual, it also has soccer lines on the field. But the midfield and end zone graphics include significant amounts of yellow, so the soccer lines could not be the typical yellow. So they made the soccer lines black, as can be seen a little bit in the background of this picture.
They actually installed two fields, one next to the other, but the secondary field doesn’t have the graphics, so the soccer lines are the normal yellow.
I have to say that it was kind of nice to have the two sets of lines in black and white rather than black and yellow. It really set them apart.
#19 by Jason on 10.31.06 10:02 am |
In the NFL it was my understanding that if more than one player had the same first initial and last name that the entire name was to appear on the rear nameplate. I noticed last night that Brad Johnson had “B. Johnson” on his back and Bethel Johnson had (I believe), simply “Johnson”. At least they were wearing white pants.
#20 by Kevin on 10.31.06 10:04 am |
Tying the football and soccer combo together the football player in that photo is wearing soccer cleats.
#21 by Steve-O on 10.31.06 10:08 am |
I think that the uniforms Maryland wore the other day cam very close to acheiving this goal. Those uniforms looked very classy and un-template like. The piping actually adds to the look of the jersey and gives the jersey a little design as compared to an all-black jersey which would be boring.
#22 by Kenny on 10.31.06 10:13 am |
re: Painted yard lines
Two weeks ago the University of Oklahoma painted both 38 yard lines with a solid red line across the field. This move was to honor the 50th anniversary of the first African American football player at OU, Prentice Gautt.
I can’t find a picture, but here is a link to an article. If I can find a picture, I’ll post it.
http://experts.sport...
#23 by todd krevanchi (krvanch) on 10.31.06 10:20 am |
unorthodox field alterations that i can think of are,
in blacksburg where va. tech has a cross hatched pattern cut into the last 5 yard prior to each end zone, as well as (i believe) midfield.
you can vaguely see it here
http://cobra.gdwebde...
and,
in chicago, when after walter paytons death, the bears replaced the 30 yard line with the number 34
http://cache.gettyim...
#24 by New Orleans on 10.31.06 10:28 am |
Yea, I noticed that too. Yesterday someone brought up how cut linesmen’s jerseys are… to the point where the players’ armpits are exposed. I miss the old style NFL jerseys with stripes on the sleeves, like the Steelers and Packers used to wear. Now, because sleeves have disappeared on (most) NFL jerseys the sleeve stripes have now become truncated shoulder stripes. Green Bay even reduced the number of their jersey stripes from five to three a while back because of that… there wasn’t room for five stripes anymore. Yesterday I suggested that it seems that uniform manufacturers should be able to come up with some type of clinging stretch fabric out of which to make sleeves. I understand linemen don’t want sleeves because it gives the opposing player something to grab onto. Lightweight, tight-fitting sleeves could be the solution. Another suggestion is that teams like the Steelers could wear a solid jersey and put the sleeve stripes on the sleeves of an undershirt. That way the linemen could wear their sleeveless jerseys and still have sleeve stripes (on the undershirt). It may not look as good as the older jerseys with actual sleeves used to look, but it wouldn’t look as ridiculous as the sleeveless jerseys they wear now with disappearing stripes.
#25 by Kenny on 10.31.06 10:28 am |
Is there another Kenny? Don’t confuse me by thinking I posted something and forgot about it
Those black lines are very cool, very unique
And i have always liked what UGA did with the goaline
#26 by Joe Hilseberg on 10.31.06 10:33 am |
Being a Maryland fan my whole life and being a Maryland grad I have seen them all. In recent years I think this look was the best. I wish Under Armour would have kept the shoulder stripes!
This style was also nice because it used 3 of the 4 colors in the neck trim, very similar to the basketball jerseys.
#27 by Riff on 10.31.06 10:38 am |
If I remember correctly, (and I hope nobody’s mentioned this yet, I’d feel stupid) but I think the Cardinals wore their red pants for the first time during the regular season this past Sunday against the Packers. Normally, they wear they’re white pants with the red and white jerseys (so much so that these were regarded as the official unis), but red pants were introduced with the new uniform a while back. After the loss, who knows how long it will be before we see them again. Personally, I’m fine with never because of the dreaded leotard look they created.
#28 by Riff on 10.31.06 10:41 am |
Excuse me, “Normally they wear their white pants…”
#29 by Frank on 10.31.06 10:41 am |
I I think the second of the two old Maryland designs was best. Not too ornate, but a good use of the 4 school colors. I wasn’t a big fan of the big white shoulder stripes. I think UA’s redesign is fine but I see a new one coming up in 5-10 years. As long as they keep the helmets.
#30 by Steve on 10.31.06 10:44 am |
I can’t believe there is no mention of the thrashed hoodie that Belicheck wore last night. Seriously, can’t the NFL get the guy a polo shirt he likes for indoor games?
#31 by chad on 10.31.06 10:51 am |
in other OSU helmet news, has anyone else noticed that Ted Ginn, Jr. has been wearing a punter/kicker facemask this year? compare to previous years here.
Paul pointed that out in a ESPN column earlier thsi year
#32 by bob on 10.31.06 10:51 am |
maybe it’s just because Denny Green always sees red when watching that abomination of a team play
#33 by bob on 10.31.06 10:54 am |
gotta love the fact that they have both the Detroit D and the purple viking helmet on the same page! a coup for the uni watchers!
#34 by PFGuay on 10.31.06 10:55 am |
Does he always wear a hoodie with BB on it?
#35 by Paul P on 10.31.06 10:56 am |
Just read that the Celtics will be wearing a black clover with the word “Red” in green lettering in it on the right side of their jersey’s all season in honor Red Auerbach.
#36 by MetsFan AZ on 10.31.06 10:58 am |
Lots of comments last night during the game. Apparently he has more than one, they all have BB on them somewhere, some look like hoodies without hoods, sleeves have been cutoff… just ugly.
I miss Tom Landry.
#37 by MetsFan AZ on 10.31.06 11:01 am |
Just to be topical. Dan Patrick has mentioned a couple of times that the NFL should paint one 40 yard line in every stadium red in honor of Pat Tillman. There was also talk about just naming the new stadium Tillman stadium but there was obviously no money in that.
#38 by Kenny on 10.31.06 11:05 am |
Kenny… yes, it’s me, Kenny. Sorry for the confusion. :)
Here is a picture of the painting of the 38 yard line. It’s the best I could find.
#39 by Kenny on 10.31.06 11:06 am |
Man… apparently I suck at the internet. For the last time, here is the link. I’m done after this!
http://www.soonerfan...
#40 by John in Athens on 10.31.06 11:07 am |
Where Uniwatch and horticulture meet.
Is it a cap D or jersey D?
It can’t be a Detroit D because then it would be an E1.
Oh!
#41 by John in Athens on 10.31.06 11:09 am |
I’ve got another one:
I wonder if he has to warn the neighbors when he mows the D.
No?
I’ll be here all week.
#42 by Matt on 10.31.06 11:12 am |
Does it bother anyone else on halloween when people dress up as sports players, but the don’t wear the full uniform or they dont wear it right or with the right parts?
Nothing annoys me more than seeing the black mets jersey with they black/blue hat… or people wearing jeans instead of the proper pants & socks… or a football player and not wearing a helmet?
#43 by a arauz on 10.31.06 11:12 am |
You see the same elongated logos/advertisements on the field besides the goalposts in Italian, Spanish and most South American soccer fields (I don’t think they have these in England,thou).
At first glance they appear to be painted on, but upon closer inspection you see that they are actually angled carpets that they place there for optimal tv exposure & frequently the players will step on and dishevel it–prompting stadium officials to scurry over for a fix.
#44 by John in Athens on 10.31.06 11:12 am |
I wonder if he has to wash “clay” off his palm whenever he cuts his grass.
#45 by Andy on 10.31.06 11:13 am |
Yeah, I don’t see this happening in the NFL, since there are so many different cameras being used throughout the game. The images look too distorted when seen from above or from any other angle. For some cool images that are done in this style, check out Julian Beever’s pavement drawings.
#46 by New Orleans on 10.31.06 11:16 am |
#47 by a arauz on 10.31.06 11:18 am |
Oh, man! I still can’t believe that Sweetness is Gone ! Thanks for bumming me out, Krev!
#48 by Josh on 10.31.06 11:18 am |
When’s the NBA preview ESPN Column?
#49 by Miguel on 10.31.06 11:25 am |
Does it annoy you or does it REALLY annoy you?
#50 by New Orleans on 10.31.06 11:27 am |
unorthodox field alterations that i can think of are,
in blacksburg where va. tech has a cross hatched pattern cut into the last 5 yard prior to each end zone, as well as (i believe) midfield.
you can vaguely see it here
That crosshatch pattern between the 5 and 10 yard lines may be for the benefit of their punt returner so he can better tell when he’s inside the 10 yard line. Remember the old rule of thumb for punt returners… let it go if it’s within the 10 yard line.
#51 by Miguel on 10.31.06 11:28 am |
Found it!
#52 by New Orleans on 10.31.06 11:29 am |
Ooops… nevermind. I looked at the pic again and the crosshatch pattern is between the goal line and 5 yard line.
#53 by MetsFan AZ on 10.31.06 11:30 am |
It looks like the pattern is just from the 5 not the 10 and shouldn’t the punt returner be looking up?
#54 by New Orleans on 10.31.06 11:37 am |
It looks like the pattern is just from the 5 not the 10 and shouldn’t the punt returner be looking up?
Yea, I caught that after I posted. And,yea, the punt returner should be looking at the ball but he’s still checking out where the coverage is coming… and he can still see enough of the ground with his peripheral vision to tell where he is. (Sorry to sound pedantic… can’t help myself… used to return punts.) In baseball an outfielder can glimpse where he is in relation to the warning track.
#55 by Al on 10.31.06 11:38 am |
I thought the way Oklahoma honored Mr. Gautt was pretty classy. Personally, I like the way Georgia paints numbers every five yards and then has a “G” at the goal line that matches the stylized “G” on the team’s helmets. Also, doesn’t Penn State always paint the goal line yellow? How about the CFL, which logos up the entire field, including the end zones? See, Paul, you’ve opened a can of worms!
#56 by Cornellian on 10.31.06 11:42 am |
Of course the NFL won’t let its coaches look professional anymore. Sorry, Mike Nolan.
#57 by Paul Lukas on 10.31.06 11:46 am |
New ESPN column (featuring info most people here are already aware of) is up — look here.
#58 by Miguel on 10.31.06 11:47 am |
Does anyone have any insider knowledge on what throwbacks the Nuggets will be rockin’? I could’ve sworn I’ve seen a video game ad with Melo in one of the beautiful rainbow skyline jerseys.
#59 by Chad G on 10.31.06 11:48 am |
Hmmm, there is another Chad now posting, I have added a G to my name so there is no confusion.
#60 by MetsFan AZ on 10.31.06 11:49 am |
What would be wrong with a suit and a reebok lapel pin like NCAA coaches wear?
#61 by Grass 2 Graphics on 10.31.06 11:53 am |
First off, Thank You to Paul for the exposure, we appreciatie it.
As to comments 33, 40 and 41; We feel the same way about purple as the rest of the Uni-nation does. Mainly because the purple pigment is so thick, it suffocates the grass (among other reasons). We’ve done that particular high school for several seasons, and have since went with a different design using minimal purple.
Also, we we’re under the impression that we painted the “Hat D” in that family’s front yard.
#62 by specs on 10.31.06 11:55 am |
Yes. I was in Chicago over the weekend, and I saw a guy wearing a Kyle Orton “jersey”. But instead of a real jersey, he just taped an 18 and Orton on the back of a t-shirt. And the t-shirt was gray. It looked ridiculous.
#63 by Matt E. on 10.31.06 12:13 pm |
Paul Lukas has two cats, whose tails are constantly where they shouldn’t be.
I got a little chuckle out of that, nice little add-on tot he end of the article.
#64 by Matt E. on 10.31.06 12:17 pm |
West Ham and Balckburn playing on FSN right now and Blackburn is rocking mismatched sleeves in Nike-esque fashion.
#65 by jesse on 10.31.06 12:21 pm |
Also, doesn’t Penn State always paint the goal line yellow? How about the CFL, which logos up the entire field, including the end zones?
Yes, Penn State paints the goal line yellow but I have never known it to be a “thing”. The lines at the 20’s are always in blue and white with the exception of in 2001 when they added a red line (making the line red, white and blue) in commemoration on terrorist attacks. I thought it was very understated and cool, except nobody noticed thought they made no commemoration at all, as if your level of patriotism is somehow determined by whether or not you have painted a yellow ribbon on your football field or wear a flag on your jersey.
#66 by Kenny on 10.31.06 12:23 pm |
No Kenny it is me…but which one is the real me? Uh oh…
This was kind of the point I was trying to get at last week with the cheap @$$ jerseys and stupid stuff like electrical tape on a gray t-shirt
#67 by Josh on 10.31.06 12:27 pm |
I guess you wouldn’t like my halloween costume I wore to a party on Saturday night.
I wore an authentic Cardinals home 5950 hat, an authentic Cardinals jersey, white baseball pants (However they had a black Rawlings logo on the back pocked instead of a red Majestic logo), authentic striped Cardinals stirrups worn the RIGHT WAY with the pant legs up, and BLACK shoes.
I didn’t have the red shoes to complete the look…I guess I was bad in your book.
#68 by Cornellian on 10.31.06 12:27 pm |
It wouldn’t help Reebok’s bottom line. RBK sells polos and hoodies, not suits and ties. They have an exclusive deal with the NFL to use their coaches and staff as models. A bunch of $5 pins doesn’t stack up with $40 polos and hoodies.
From an old Mercury News piece:
See: http://www.freerepub...
#69 by Miguel on 10.31.06 12:32 pm |
Because Reebok wouldn’t make as much from a pin as they can for this awesome attire.
#70 by Chris on 10.31.06 12:34 pm |
Here are a few pics showing the numbered wristbands worn by David Carr and Sage Rosenfels I mentioned yesterday.
http://sports.yahoo....
http://sports.yahoo....
#71 by BillB on 10.31.06 12:37 pm |
regarding your question in the ESPN article about the cavs 86-87 patch…
“In 1986, under the Gund brothers as owners, the team acquired, either through trades or the draft, Brad Daugherty, Mark Price, Ron Harper, and Larry Nance. These players (minus Harper, who was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers for the rights to Danny Ferry) formed the core of the team that led the Cavs to eight playoff seasons in the next nine years, including three 50-wins plus seasons.”
After those moves in 86-87 season they went on to make the playoffs 9 of the next 11 seasons. After only making the playoffs 4 of the previous 16, and only 1 time since that stretch.
Give me my T-Shirt
#72 by Matthew S. on 10.31.06 12:38 pm |
That picture reminds me of a Mitch Hedberg joke: “I was walking down the street the other day and I saw a wino eating grapes. I was like ‘Dude, you have to wait.’”
You would never think from that picture that Belicheck is a ladies man, but apparently he’s a home wrecker.
#73 by Joe Hilseberg on 10.31.06 12:39 pm |
I secretly wish the terps would incorporate gold into a throwback for both football and basketball…or at least bring back these socks!
#74 by Minna H on 10.31.06 12:40 pm |
What the hell happened to your article, Paul? I was in the middle of reading and clicking when it disappeared. Are they changing the links which wouldn’t open into a new page?
Oh, and, EKKKKKKKK! Someone forgot to close the italics again!
#75 by Gar on 10.31.06 12:41 pm |
What’s up with the new ESPN page? I keep getting a ‘File Not Found’ error when trying to load the page.
#76 by Dave S on 10.31.06 12:41 pm |
Article about Rutgers on cbssportsline.com talks about what Ray Rice writes on his eye black and nose strip.
#77 by Dave S on 10.31.06 12:42 pm |
sorry here it is
http://cbs.sportslin...
#78 by Miguel on 10.31.06 12:46 pm |
Bill Belichick: model husband and father.
#79 by MetsFan AZ on 10.31.06 12:50 pm |
Good article, just for the quote from Reebok “if we don’t make it, he can’t wear it. But jeez, how many assistants are roaming the sidelines? They could model every polo made with matching vests, jackets and shredded hoodies that reebok makes. No Fun.
#80 by spt on 10.31.06 12:52 pm |
Couldn’t agree more. More Gold and less black.
#81 by Tape on 10.31.06 12:55 pm |
just closing someone’s unclosed <i> tag.
#82 by Tape on 10.31.06 12:56 pm |
except it’s an <em> tag. hio!
#83 by Tape on 10.31.06 12:57 pm |
oh well. I tried!
#84 by Rich on 10.31.06 1:03 pm |
I was at the Woodbridge game; strange to see the lines/numbers in black and gold, considering the school’s colors are green and yellow.
Oh well, at least we won! (Beat the #2 team in the area too!)
#85 by bj on 10.31.06 1:08 pm |
Nike doesn’t make face shields. But they do have a bitter rivalry with Oakley (something regarding their eccentric billionaire owners). Any team that wears a so-called Nike visor is wearing an Oakley product with different stickers.
#86 by Minna H on 10.31.06 1:09 pm |
I said it yesterday, and I’ll say it again: I don’t see why coaches should have to wear suits in any league. I’m not for the slob look, either, but it’s a GAME. I will upgrade jeans to slacks, but I’m sticking with a nice shirt.
Oh, and for the NFL, no reason to treat the coaches like they’re twins—let ‘em wear different outfits—they’re big boys now.
I like the Maryland unis minus the weird striping.
Ek, this is really annoying. Stellaaaaaaaaaaa!
#87 by Kim on 10.31.06 1:16 pm |
The new Sixers uniform has Phila on it? Lame.
It ought to read PHL like the old throwbacks, or if they want something different, Philly.
#88 by Adam on 10.31.06 1:18 pm |
Cincinnati has red yardline markings.
I think there are more.. I’ll see what I can find.
#89 by Matthew S. on 10.31.06 1:20 pm |
Phila is pretty lame, but I think it’s better than PHL…why did Phoenix have to attempt to start a trend where teams put their airport code on their jerseys? That’s a good example of an attempt at starting a cool trend that is actually just based on sheer laziness.
#90 by mg12 on 10.31.06 1:21 pm |
Anybody else having trouble reading the latest espn column? I have been receiving a “File Not Found” page.
#91 by T.C. on 10.31.06 1:21 pm |
Can anyone else not see today’s new ESPN column? Everytime I go, it says “not found”
#92 by Adam on 10.31.06 1:21 pm |
Here is Gramblings’ yellow yard numbers
#93 by mg12 on 10.31.06 1:23 pm |
Sorry, I guess I should have read above at entry 74 and 75. Come on Paul. I need another fix.
#94 by Frank on 10.31.06 1:32 pm |
i read the column before it melted down, luckily. I like the idea of Gold in the Terps unis (wave high the black and gold)but that helmet leaves alot to be desired. I have never been a fan of the M in any color, but especially in gold (looks just like Mizzou). Stick with the script TERPS or go to the M with the Flag (my personal favorite). GO TERPS.
#95 by Adam on 10.31.06 1:37 pm |
From what I understand, Nike DOES produce those visors… still pretty much an Oakley ripoff.
#96 by Bill on 10.31.06 1:50 pm |
I wore Dawg Pound gear for Halloween….my 130 students in lecture ate five whole buckets of candy to boot! I’m not going to worry about whether the socks match the jersey and pants as far as which would go with which. No one in my class was probably going to know, and I was busy enough to not get around to making sure I had it just right. :)
Did I get the tags closed? ;)
#97 by UMD_Chris on 10.31.06 1:54 pm |
Here’s something I never figured out.
I’ve spent my last 4 years at Maryland, going to about 10 mens basketball games per year at the Comcast Center, and not once have I ever seen the mens basketball team wear the black alternates, nor have I ever seen them wear it on the road.
http://images.footba...
At least the football team wears their black alternates.
#98 by Paul Lukas on 10.31.06 2:08 pm |
Sorry about the column snafu — ESPN changed the URL. Here’s the correct link. I’ve fixed it at the top of the page, too.
And I fixed that open tag, so no need to pester John about it…..
#99 by Eric on 10.31.06 2:09 pm |
The Riddell VSR has a tampered strip on the helmet shell that can be used to place a single stripe on, while the Revolution, Schutt, Wilson, ect. have smooth middle surfaces. On the Riddell VSR, the double stripes are separated by this stripe on the shell of the helmet. Many times a double stripe helmet logo is on one strip of tape; therefore the gap between the stripes is the same regardless of the type of helmet worn.
#100 by Eric on 10.31.06 2:11 pm |
here
#101 by MetsFan AZ on 10.31.06 2:22 pm |
I’m pretty sure that *Phila* IS the throwback version. It’s what Wilt was wearing when he scored 100 in a game and took the picture with the magic marker 100. No photos I’ve proven my ineptitude at links in the past.
#102 by dgc on 10.31.06 2:24 pm |
Actually, Lord Baltimore is a title, the family was the Calverts. The Calverts’ coat of arms is the black and gold pattern. George Calvert’s mother’s family was the Crosslands, their coat of arms is the red and white cross thingy.
more MD flag info
#103 by Ed on 10.31.06 2:36 pm |
Regarding the Terps helmet numbers… reminds me of a watch company that believes that less is more when it comes to logos:
Click
Gloss black on matte black is basically invisible in most lighting, unless you really look for it.
Watch dials are also undergoing similar problems as uniforms. There are many acknowledged classics out there, and there are a lot of ugly watches being made.
ed
#104 by Minna H on 10.31.06 2:40 pm |
But it’s fun to pester Ek, Paul. Thanks for closing the tag.
You know, the one downside to reading the blog daily is that when a new column comes up, I’ve already read half the stuff here. Then I get this weird sense of de ja vu. Anyone else feel that way?
Lastly, the Maryland helmet numbers are sweet.
#105 by Stink on 10.31.06 2:53 pm |
hey all I’m new to posting…
but I’ve read enough to know that Paul would be in heaven right now if he turns on ESPN2 for the UCL match between Sporting and Bayern: A fully striped kit and one team with just striped socks.
VERY classy!
#106 by Minna H on 10.31.06 2:57 pm |
Rich, the disconcerting thing to me is to see the oh-so-familiar Vikings logo in Packer colors! That’s just not right, man.
#107 by Matt R. on 10.31.06 3:02 pm |
In response to the other Matt from #63, Blackburn has worn blue and white halves on its first choice kit for more than a hundred years. The kit almost always has included mismatched sleeves.
#108 by Josh on 10.31.06 3:02 pm |