Nike Detroit Lions Uniforms: Threat or Menace?

Nike premiered their Vapor Jet NFL gloves at the 2012 Pro Bowl. These are the first taste of the new 2012 uniforms that Nike will be supplying all teams, and . . . yikes. Those hoping Nike just translates the current classy, unmistakably Lions uniforms—like me—must immediately begin flop-sweating. From the official @usnikefootball Twitter account:

“Just the beginning.” Sends a chill down my spine. “If you were feelin the new Cleats and Gloves tonight,” Nike says, “download the Nike BOOM app fast for the next exclusive reveal.” Love that they had Suh model the BOOM app, but I’m mortified by what they’re going to do to the Lions image.

I know a lot of you out there don’t get my whole uniform fascination, but it’s important. We’re fans of the Detroit Lions, a franchise with eighty-three years of tradition. Everyone loves the Lions throwbacks—but you know what? Our “throwbacks” are as old as anyone’s and they’re still recognizable as Lions uniforms.

As legendary and venerable as the Packers franchise is, when they go to their primordial closet they don these eye-bleeding monstrosities:

 My eyes! The goggles . . . they do nothing!

Not only are those duds hideous, they're totally urecognizable as belonging to the Green Bay Packers.

Except for one weirdo year the Lions hired Indiana University's coach and he forced red uniforms on the team, the Detroit Lions uniforms have been unmistakably the Detroit Lions uniforms for the better part of a century. The formula is simple: Honolulu blue plus silver.

Sure, maybe you add or remove some stripes, some trim, some black or gray or white, but the basic formula never changes. The result is both classic and iconic, modern and timeless. The current home unis are great, and the away whites are some of the best-looking uniforms on the planet. I mean, come on, here’s my authentic Matthew Stafford home jersey:

It’s gorgeous. It doesn’t need mesh patterns or interlocking filigreed zigzags or faux carbon fiber textures or Serengeti-themed artwork inlaid in mesh on the back. It doesn’t need 67 seams holding together 23 patches of various size, shape, and contrasting color. It doesn’t need to be a canvas for some Nike design team’s furious ideation brainstorm.

It just needs to be Honolulu Blue and silver.

Tell that to Nike on Twitter at @usnikefootball.

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LIGHTS OUT BLACK PREMIER SUH JERSEY

Ah-buh. Guh. Haberdah. Blaberdaber. This “Lights Out Black Premier Suh Jersey” is terrifyingly swag. It is not an alt, likely not to be worn in a game.  It has the old numbers, but the new logo, and new wordmark. It is, as the kids say, “Murdered out.” It is a craven attempt to appeal to my inner 17-year-old and despite my previously upturned nose IT SUCCEEDS WILDLY.

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The Detroit Transplant’s Lions Nike Pro Combat Kits

The Detroit Transplant is a very cool Detroit-focused sports blog, penned by a graphic designer named Doug. Last year, he (along with the rest of us) learned that that the NFL had chosen Nike to begin supplying all uniforms and apparel in 2012. Doug mulled the possibilities, and late last year applied his considerable talents to four possible Lions Nike Pro Combat uniforms.

Here’s my favorite, a reboot of the infamous black alternates:

I loved this one, especially the detail of the blue tire tread patter on the numbers, sleeves, and socks. However, I was less enthused by the liberal application of black in the home and away concepts; in my mind they look very “Panthers” and not very Lions. Doug responded to similar feedback with a second set of three Lions Nike Pro Combat concepts; they’re very much to my liking. The white helmet, especially, intrigues me.

However, as cool as these designs are, and as much fun as we’re about to have discussing them, I feel compelled to note: I love the current unis. I think they’re the perfect balance between unmistakably the Detroit Lions’ uniforms, and being fresh and up-to-date.  They’re clean, they’re classy, they have a touch of style in the numbers. I think the Lions finally got the uniforms perfect, and I’m worried the move to Pro Combats will mess them up.

As you can see in Doug’s designs, the busier, Oregon-esque stuff looks really cool on the second-skin fabric . . . but simple, clean looks just don’t look clean. It’s almost as though the fit and finish of the Pro Combat uniforms not only enable intricate patterns and nontraditional design elements to look good, but demand them. Otherwise, it just looks like dudes out there in long johns.

To that end, Doug Tweeted (@drdougfresh) that he's going to start working on a complete brand ID package for the Lions. He warns that "traditionalists" like myself may not care for it . . . but I'm looking forward to it anyway. Thoughts'?

Technorati Tags: nfl,nike,detroit lions,nike pro combat,jerseys,uniforms

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Lions vs. Jets: A Visual Miscellany

Here are some more cool pictures from the game on Sunday that I didn’t work into the Three Cups Deep.

Walking to the stadium.  Here’s where I initially spotted the tremendous XXXXXXXXXXL Germane Crowell home authentic . . . but check my man over on the right.  Is that a Kelvin Pritchett away replica tucked into belted Wranglers?  With a Lions hardhat?  Awesome.  Moving on from the “vintage” rack, we have a couple nice selections from the “so fresh and so clean” department:

That Stafford away authentic looks gorgeous.  The Suh home authentic looks . . . forgeous.  Look at the number patches . . . not quite right (compare the “9” in the Suh to the “9” in the Stafford).  Also, the sleeves are straight-cut, not banded like authentics.  Honestly, I didn’t spot this until afterwards, though—the Chinese knock-off stuff is getting better and better.

Megatron away authentic.  Honolulu Blue on white just looks so good.  Excellent choice, sir.

“No pictures, please.”  Note the knitted Lion hat.

My son handing his first Lions ticket to his first Lions ticket-taker to enter Ford Field to see his first Lions game.  Sniffle.  Ticket-taker, please don’t sue me for likeness rights.  TIA.

To quote a wise and learned scholar (Xzibit), “This is what happens when determination meets a broke-assed motherf****er.”  Only a matter of time before my man turns that “3” into a “4” and that “SMITH” into a “BEST.”  Oh, and check out David Sloan at the front of the line!  He was Dallas Clark before it was cool to be Dallas Clark, supposing Peyton Manning were Scott Mitchell and Dallas Clark had knees made of Velcro.

Indoor fireworks!  Excellent.  I think this was Stafford’s introduction but I’m not positive.

Somehow I set “blur” to “ON” at some point, but here’s my little boy watching the Jets fans congregate, post-game.  This part was hard.  Note his little Lion tail, drooping.

Like I said . . . this part was hard.

It’s cool, though, because we got in the line to run onto the field and score a touchdown.  the looooooooooong line.

Okay, this is terrible.  This kid is wearing a “wolverinehead,” like a cheesehead, except it’s a wolverine snout.  Dad is wearing a U of M cap.  That would all be fine, I guess, except little dude is rocking a LaDanian Tomlinson Chargers jersey.  Look, neither the Michigan Wolverines, nor the San Diego Chargers, were playing in that game.  LaDanian Tomlinson was in the game, but playing against the team they came to root for.  I was so grumped out by this compound attire foul, the out-of-place Zetterberg didn’t even faze me.

Tough to see, but that sign says “I HATE EVERYTHING ABOUT NEW YORK,” with  ‘No Smoking Sign’ circles with lines through them drawn around every major New York City sports franchise’s logo.  I was so impressed with the craftsmanship, and the seething hatred, I almost took it home.

He hit the Ford Field turf running.

They gave every kid a miniball, and then lined ‘em up on the 30-yard line.  They ran ‘em in batches of howevermany.  Chaos.

After scoring his touchdown, he looked up at the goalposts, reared back, and threw his miniball over the crossbar . . . and over my head.  It bounced off the rail on top of the wall—inches from actually going in the stands.

“Dad, I told you they were gonna let me on the field.  I told you I was gonna need my cleats.”  I get a certain perverse joy out of being a Stupid Old Dad.

On the way out, a major jersey win: a little dude rocking a Vanden Bosch home.  I did not see much jersey love for KVB, but that kid brought it.  Well done.

. . . and good night Lions everywhere.

Technorati Tags: nfl,detroit lions,ford field,new york jets

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Detroit Lions Jersey Menagerie

Last week, I asked you folks to submit, or post pictures of, your Lions jerseys.  The Big Idea behind it was that I’d build a repository of the kinds of jerseys we’ve all got hanging in our closets—and we’lll collectively admire and deride them.  That we can’t upload pictures in comments limits us—but between those who’ve posted pic links, and those who’ve described theirs, I’ve built a Picasa Web Album with the submissions.  Further, I’ve built a persistent Blogger Page that feeds off of the album:

http://www.thelionsinwinter.com/p/detroit-lions-jersey-menagerie.html

So.  Please, either comment with, email thelionsinwinter@gmail.com, or Tweet @lionsinwinter pictures of your Lions jerseys.  I’ll continue to compile them in the web album.  I’ll post a permanent link to the slideshow, so we can all see the results.  Who knows?  Maybe I’ll make a contest out of it.

Technorati Tags: nfl,detroit lions,jerseys,detroit lions jerseys

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Detroit Lions Jersey Menagerie: Post yours!

Around this time last year, in the football dog days of summer, I threw down the gauntlet: I purchased an authentic Matthew Stafford jersey.  After all the wailing and lamentation, after all the doom and gloom, after the fearful, exhaustive analysis I did in anticipation of Stafford’s selection, I literally “bought in” to him, Schwartz, Mayhew, and the totality of the New Lions.  I said at the time:

As the Flamekeeper, the torchbearer, the self-appointed philosopher king of all true diehard Lions fans, I knew there was only one player I could in good conscience come bearing the livery of: Matthew Stafford. As much as I like Megatron, Kevin Smith, Julian Peterson, Cliff Avril, all those guys, Stafford is the franchise. He’s the quarterback, the field general, the spokesman, and the lynchpin of the entire organization.

Sure, there are a lot of naysayers, a lot of doubters, and a lot of obstacles to his success. But forget that. I’m throwing down the gauntlet. I’m investing my fandom—and my hard-earned jack--in this wunderkind. I said before the draft that if he’s the pick, we fans have got to support him the way we never supported Joey—and I’m not only going to support him, I’m picking up the banner and running. I hope that people see me, hand-in-hand with my wife and three kids, rocking the authentic Stafford, and think, “Wow, that guy must really believe.” And, maybe, possibly, then think “maybe I should, too.”

When Joanna Hunter, of the NFL’s PR department, Tweeted that Ndamukong Suh was #8 in jersey sales since April 1st, I idly thought that was pretty cool.  Then it occurred to me: when was the last time a Lion, any Lion, cracked the top ten in jersey sales?  I asked Ms. Hunter, and she duly answered: save for a brief period heading in to Calvin Johnson’s rookie year, she couldn’t find a Lion in the top ten at any point in her records (which go back to 2001).

This little bit of info is a big blue spark.  Ndamukong Suh is on track to become the game-changing, tempo-setting, franchise-rejuvenating defensive player I’d wailed and lamented over in the runup to Stafford’s selection—moreover, fans who are not me are now buying in, figuratively and literally.  I’d worried the 2-win record, the injury-interrupted rookie campaign from Stafford, and the worthless, sucking, Culpeppery void that was the last few games of the year had driven the casual fan off until the losing spell was broken yet this fall.  Instead, Suh alone has been enough to get fans to open their hearts and wallets.

To this end, I’d like to see how you folks are repping your favorite Lions—past, present, and future.  Blogger doesn’t allow images to be placed directly in comments, but a text description, and/or a link to a picture, will suffice nicely.  Home, away, new, old, replica, authentic, throwback . . . post ‘em up!  I’m really looking forward to what you folks have got.

Technorati Tags: nfl,detroit lions,jerseys,matthew stafford,ndamukong suh

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