Friday, September 23, 2016
Infographic: Lions/Packers preview
The Packers welcome the Detroit Lions to Lambeau Field for their home opener this weekend, and Packers.com has the infographic preview:
Saturday, September 17, 2016
Infographic - Packers at Vikings Preview
Courtesy of Packers.com, this is the team's infographic previewing this week's game:
This week 2 preview infographic takes a closer look at the Green Bay Packers' week 2 matchup at Minnesota. Check it out:
Friday, September 16, 2016
"Train for Game with Giants", 1946
Seventy years ago today, this photo hit the wires:
Spring Valley is in Rockland County, New York, just across the Hudson River from Westchester County (and just north of New Jersey). The Packers were in town, as the caption indicates, to play the Giants in a charity game to benefit the Fresh Air Fund, which even to today gives New York City kids summer experiences in rural camps all up and down the East Coast.
Despite the work of Kiesling, Lambeau, and Hutson, the Packers lost that exhibition game, 35-21, in front of a crowd of over 48,000. The following week, the Packers were back in Green Bay to face the Chicago Bears in the season opener. Unfortunately for the Bays, that game didn't end any better, as the Bears rolled over them 30–7.
GREEN BAY PACKERS TRAIN FOR GAME WITH GIANTSDon Hutson had retired at the end of the previous season, but in his new role as coach he was often pictured wearing his old uniform in practice. Walt Kiesling himself had played for the Packers in 1935 and 1936, but neither he nor Curly Lambeau ever dug their uniforms out of mothballs.
SPRING VALLEY, N.Y.--Masterminding the Green Bay Packers are, left to right: Walter Kiesling, line coach; Curly Lambeau, head coach; and Don Hutson, backfield coach. They are shown at Spring Valley, N.Y., Sept. 16th, as the Packers began the final phase of training for their Sept. 20th Tribune Fresh-Air Fund game with the New York Football Giants.
CREDIT (ACME)
Despite the work of Kiesling, Lambeau, and Hutson, the Packers lost that exhibition game, 35-21, in front of a crowd of over 48,000. The following week, the Packers were back in Green Bay to face the Chicago Bears in the season opener. Unfortunately for the Bays, that game didn't end any better, as the Bears rolled over them 30–7.
Thursday, September 15, 2016
"What's Up With the Sleeves?"
Sharp-eyed viewers noticed that cornerback Damarious Randall wore long sleeves in Jacksonville last Sunday, even though temperatures topped 100 degrees.
You may have wondered what possessed him to do that; fortunately the Packers have supplied us with an answer.
That's a new one on me.
(Photo: Rick Wood, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
You may have wondered what possessed him to do that; fortunately the Packers have supplied us with an answer.
What's with the long sleeves in the heat? @RandallTime explains on @gmfb 🎥: https://t.co/OJF2jP8hRU pic.twitter.com/KCFPwZKe0g
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) September 14, 2016
That's a new one on me.
Tuesday, September 13, 2016
Color Rush Reaction and Review
This morning, the Packers unveiled their "Color Rush" uniforms, which they will wear Thursday, Oct. 20, when the Chicago Bears come to Lambeau Field.
This league-wide promotion, introduced last year, involves the teams dressing in a single, defining color. And the Packers' defining color is... White.
This is the first time since the 1950s that the Packers will wear white at home, with the exception of the first two games of the 1989 season.
Here's the whole lineup. Click to enlarge:
And a closer look at Clay:
The Color Rush promotion dresses players in a single color, shoulder-to-toe (nly the NFL's "one helmet" rule keeps teams from matching their shells to the rest of the uniform). That single color must be drawn from the team's existing color palette, either a current color or one worn in the past. That means the options facing the Packers were: navy blue, forest green, kelly green, dark sea green, gold, or white.
That means the Packers could have used this chance to wear a 1950s throwback; in that decade the team wore a variety of monochromatic uniforms; all-gold, all-green and all-white.
To top it off, the current gold helmets, stripped of their decals, would have been period-appropriate for either the mono=green or mono=gold throwback. But alas, the Packers chose to go in a different direction.
Instead of designing a total throwback, the Packers will be wearing their regular helmet and road jersey, only with a new pair of white pants to match.
On the one hand, I appreciate that the Packers aren't just cashing in with a brand-new jersey to sell, as almost every other team has:
On the other hand, I hate the Packers' road jersey. And I dislike pairing it with a matching set of white pants. It's a further watering down of Lombardi's classic uniform, but to understand that we must first talk about where the current white jerseys look the way we do.
In the Beginning...
Young Packer fans may not even realize that the Packers departed from Lombardi's road design decades ago. When Vince took over in 1959, he overhauled the Packers' uniforms and colors. On the road, his team wore white jerseys with alternating green and gold stripes on the collar, sleeves and socks.
Coach Lombardi later tweaked the road uniform slightly, abandoning the road socks and simplifying the pants stripes to the green/white/green "Braisher Stripe" pattern found on the team's helmets. socks and home jerseys.
But the jersey stripes remained untouched, three on the neck and five on the sleeve.
Through five World Championships and the first two Super Bowls, this road jersey was an important part of the Packers' classic visual legacy.
80's "Improvments"
It endured until 1984, when former offensive tackle Forrest Gregg took over as head coach, and put his own spin on Lombardi's uniform.
In addition to adding gold stripes and numbers to the pants, he overhauled the jersey, adding "Dad" Braisher's "G" logo to the sleeves and adding thin white stripes in between the green and gold.
This brought the road jersey striping pattern closer in line with the Braisher stripes found on the home jersey. But where the green/white/green is bold and unmistakeable even at a distance, the green/white/gold/white/green pattern is muddy and unclear. There's not enough contrast between the white and gold, so they easily blend together into a light-colored blob.
Forrest Gregg didn't last long as the Packers' head coach, but elements of his design are still with us today. The Packers chipped away at it over the following few years, bringing back many elements of the 60s design, but left his road jersey striping design in place.
...Which Brings Us to Today
These road stripes are the only thing I can't stand about the Packers' uniforms, and I'm very unhappy that they're expanding it. I'm further concerned that these white pants will make their way into the regular rotation; I don't want to see them with the green home jerseys.
What Might Have Been
Since the NFL gave them no choice but to participate in the Color Rush promotion this year, I wish the Packers had considered a throwback to Lombardi's original striping pattern. A slight tweak would have made it so much better:
Could have been a win-win. This would have honored the Packers' history within the Color Rush promotional confines, not to mention given the Packers a new throwback jersey to stock at the Pro Shop.
Ah, the road not traveled. With a little luck, this will be a one-off, as easily forgotten as those previous two games where the Packers wore white at Lambeau.
This league-wide promotion, introduced last year, involves the teams dressing in a single, defining color. And the Packers' defining color is... White.
And the #ColorRush color is...
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) September 13, 2016
WHITE!#Packers will wear all white uniforms Week 7: https://t.co/Eb7fDQg5pS pic.twitter.com/ZwJhDcBs2F
This is the first time since the 1950s that the Packers will wear white at home, with the exception of the first two games of the 1989 season.
Here's the whole lineup. Click to enlarge:
And a closer look at Clay:
The Color Rush promotion dresses players in a single color, shoulder-to-toe (nly the NFL's "one helmet" rule keeps teams from matching their shells to the rest of the uniform). That single color must be drawn from the team's existing color palette, either a current color or one worn in the past. That means the options facing the Packers were: navy blue, forest green, kelly green, dark sea green, gold, or white.
That means the Packers could have used this chance to wear a 1950s throwback; in that decade the team wore a variety of monochromatic uniforms; all-gold, all-green and all-white.
To top it off, the current gold helmets, stripped of their decals, would have been period-appropriate for either the mono=green or mono=gold throwback. But alas, the Packers chose to go in a different direction.
Instead of designing a total throwback, the Packers will be wearing their regular helmet and road jersey, only with a new pair of white pants to match.
On the one hand, I appreciate that the Packers aren't just cashing in with a brand-new jersey to sell, as almost every other team has:
On the other hand, I hate the Packers' road jersey. And I dislike pairing it with a matching set of white pants. It's a further watering down of Lombardi's classic uniform, but to understand that we must first talk about where the current white jerseys look the way we do.
In the Beginning...
Young Packer fans may not even realize that the Packers departed from Lombardi's road design decades ago. When Vince took over in 1959, he overhauled the Packers' uniforms and colors. On the road, his team wore white jerseys with alternating green and gold stripes on the collar, sleeves and socks.
Coach Lombardi later tweaked the road uniform slightly, abandoning the road socks and simplifying the pants stripes to the green/white/green "Braisher Stripe" pattern found on the team's helmets. socks and home jerseys.
But the jersey stripes remained untouched, three on the neck and five on the sleeve.
1960s Boyd Dowler Green Bay Packers Game Worn Road Jersey
(Mile High Card Company)
(Mile High Card Company)
Through five World Championships and the first two Super Bowls, this road jersey was an important part of the Packers' classic visual legacy.
80's "Improvments"
It endured until 1984, when former offensive tackle Forrest Gregg took over as head coach, and put his own spin on Lombardi's uniform.
In addition to adding gold stripes and numbers to the pants, he overhauled the jersey, adding "Dad" Braisher's "G" logo to the sleeves and adding thin white stripes in between the green and gold.
1984-86 Gerry Ellis Green Bay Packers Game Worn Road Jersey
(MEARS)
(MEARS)
This brought the road jersey striping pattern closer in line with the Braisher stripes found on the home jersey. But where the green/white/green is bold and unmistakeable even at a distance, the green/white/gold/white/green pattern is muddy and unclear. There's not enough contrast between the white and gold, so they easily blend together into a light-colored blob.
Forrest Gregg didn't last long as the Packers' head coach, but elements of his design are still with us today. The Packers chipped away at it over the following few years, bringing back many elements of the 60s design, but left his road jersey striping design in place.
...Which Brings Us to Today
These road stripes are the only thing I can't stand about the Packers' uniforms, and I'm very unhappy that they're expanding it. I'm further concerned that these white pants will make their way into the regular rotation; I don't want to see them with the green home jerseys.
What Might Have Been
Since the NFL gave them no choice but to participate in the Color Rush promotion this year, I wish the Packers had considered a throwback to Lombardi's original striping pattern. A slight tweak would have made it so much better:
Could have been a win-win. This would have honored the Packers' history within the Color Rush promotional confines, not to mention given the Packers a new throwback jersey to stock at the Pro Shop.
Ah, the road not traveled. With a little luck, this will be a one-off, as easily forgotten as those previous two games where the Packers wore white at Lambeau.
Monday, September 12, 2016
White is the New Green?
We've seen some reports that the Packers' Color Rush uniform will be predominantly... white.
Last week, Paul Lukas of Uni Watch reported a little tidbit he'd received:
Now we have this from Twitter user @NFL_Leaks. I've been ignoring most of the leaks but this one is made up of images found on Nike's NFL shop.
So those are the indications we have so far. We should learn more soon....
Last week, Paul Lukas of Uni Watch reported a little tidbit he'd received:
As for the individual designs, who knows? Some of the info that’s floated on Reddit turns out to be legit and some turns out to be nonsense. And just to make things more confusing, I received an email last night from someone who said these are the Color Rash jerseys being ordered by a Lids store in Indiana:Check out the first line. Interesting.
Now we have this from Twitter user @NFL_Leaks. I've been ignoring most of the leaks but this one is made up of images found on Nike's NFL shop.
[CONFIRMED] This WILL be every teams color rush colors. The colors on the shirt will be the colors on the jersey. pic.twitter.com/X0Bu0uk6P5
— NFL Leaks (@NFL_Leaks) September 12, 2016
So those are the indications we have so far. We should learn more soon....
Friday, September 9, 2016
Infographic - Packers at Jaguars Preview
To kick off the new season, Packers.com has introduced its first game preview infographic:
I like the design, everything except the bottom right corner. Seems a missed opportunity to use the iconic Braisher stripes. Unless we're seeing a secret preview of the Color Rush uniform striping?
This week 1 preview infographic takes a closer look at the Green Bay Packers' season opener at Jacksonville. Check it out:
I like the design, everything except the bottom right corner. Seems a missed opportunity to use the iconic Braisher stripes. Unless we're seeing a secret preview of the Color Rush uniform striping?
Tuesday, September 6, 2016
2016 Uni Watch NFL preview
Paul Lukas has posted the annual Uni Watch NFL preview over at ESPN.com, and there's some information for us in it.
Well, damn.
There's also something for us in the Bears' section:
Not new, but confirmation nonetheless. The Packers' "Color Rush" event will be in Week 7, October 20th, as they host the Bears on Thursday Night Football.
And finally:
Sigh.
• The Packers will wear their 1940s throwbacks, which they debuted last year, on Oct. 16 against the Cowboys (further info here):
Packers will wear 1940s throwbacks on Oct. 16 vs. Cowboys. pic.twitter.com/5zmVOxRUXj
— Paul Lukas (@UniWatch) August 25, 2016
Also: Remember how Green Bay wide receiver James Jones routinely wore a hoodie on the field last season? He won't be doing that this year, because the NFL has banned it.
Report: NFL to ban hoodies on field. https://t.co/UIbczFtiVz pic.twitter.com/aSBa7XG80s
— Paul Lukas (@UniWatch) June 9, 2016
Well, damn.
There's also something for us in the Bears' section:
NFC North
• The Bears' uniform schedule shows that they'll wear their Monsters of the Midway throwbacks for two divisional games: Oct. 2 against the Lions and Oct. 31 against the Vikings.
Not new, but confirmation nonetheless. The Packers' "Color Rush" event will be in Week 7, October 20th, as they host the Bears on Thursday Night Football.
And finally:
Additional Notes
• The league's well-established month-long protocols -- pink trim for breast cancer awareness in October and camouflage trim to salute the military in November -- will be rolled out once again.
Sigh.
Thursday, September 1, 2016
Did Madden Leak the Packers' Color Rush Uniforms?
Just saw this on Twitter:
That looks like the standard gold fashion jerseys that the Packers have sold off and on for about a decade.
The only difference appears to be that the Madden jerseys don't have sleeve stripes (now that's a development I can approve of).
I hate the gold jerseys, but love those striped socks. They look like alternating green and gold stripes without any white separating them, which is a throwback to Lombardi's original road jersey sleeves.
So what do you think if this these turn out to be legitimate?
@Lil_Eazy_Ana_42 getting that work going in @EAMaddenNFL 🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/u6ojjvqbEa
— Dom Slobodian (@DomSanity27) September 1, 2016
That looks like the standard gold fashion jerseys that the Packers have sold off and on for about a decade.
The only difference appears to be that the Madden jerseys don't have sleeve stripes (now that's a development I can approve of).
I hate the gold jerseys, but love those striped socks. They look like alternating green and gold stripes without any white separating them, which is a throwback to Lombardi's original road jersey sleeves.
So what do you think if this these turn out to be legitimate?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)