oldschooler Posted April 20, 2019 Report Share Posted April 20, 2019 Hi Geoff, Alex here, writing to you from Richmond, VA. Been reading your pieces for write a long time. All of my adult life to be honest and I would like to take a moment to commend you for the excellent work you do with the Bengals. Your connection to history and geography always impresses me. My question today in this perhaps boring time of the year is focused on uniforms and its relation to the recent coaching changes. I'm not here begging for a new uni change this season, but if one does happen, when do you think it might happen and do you think the Bengals will get it right? By right I mean keeping the stripes on the helmets but updating the jerseys, pants and socks. If you take the stripes off the helmets, are we really the Cincinnati Bengals who play in the jungle? The coolest helmet design in the NFL in my opinion. Alex, Richmond, VA ALEX: Thanks for reaching out with the compliment. It certainly means a lot. I think new unis are on the radar and they’re looking at it, but it is a multi-year process. Just going back to the last coaching change, they went to new uniforms in Marvin Lewis’ second season so that might mean it’s not imminent but I also think it’s a point of discussion. Couldn’t agree with you more on the helmet and I would say that’s an organization-wide sentiment. It was 38 years ago last week when the Bengals unveiled that striped helmet and founder Paul Brown observed, “When the Rams came out with their helmets and those horns on them, everybody rolled off their chairs, laughing. But now they’ve probably got the most distinctive helmets in the league and the other teams would like to have the same thing … Now when people see us on TV, they know it’s our team.” Brown’s words ring as true today as they did then. And it puts another wrinkle into the London game against the Rams given it is only the 14th time the NFL’s two most recognizable helmets have butted against each other. https://www.bengals.com/news/hobson-s-choice-who-do-you-like-in-the-nfl-draft Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gupps Posted April 20, 2019 Report Share Posted April 20, 2019 Please God yes. The helmets are fine but the current unis are horrible, especially the orange jerseys. Orange is just not meant to be anything other then an accent color. In a perfect world, they would keep the helmet and go back to the 70's era uniforms. In a more perfect world they would also use the running tiger carrying a football. What they will probably do is find whoever did the Titans/Bucs/Seahawks unis and use whatever they vomit out. I've said my piece, gotta go back to binge watching "Queer Eye for The Straight Guy". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
|SF2| Posted April 21, 2019 Report Share Posted April 21, 2019 14 hours ago, gupps said: Please God yes. The helmets are fine but the current unis are horrible, especially the orange jerseys. Orange is just not meant to be anything other then an accent color. In a perfect world, they would keep the helmet and go back to the 70's era uniforms. In a more perfect world they would also use the running tiger carrying a football. What they will probably do is find whoever did the Titans/Bucs/Seahawks unis and use whatever they vomit out. I've said my piece, gotta go back to binge watching "Queer Eye for The Straight Guy". Bucco Bruce loves the orange unis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griever Posted April 21, 2019 Report Share Posted April 21, 2019 Typically I'd say animal print should be reserved for women, but the helmets should not be touched. Agree with the OP, best helmets in the league. As dark of a time as it was, the 90s had the best design in my opinion. Always liked the leaping tiger, miss seeing it at midfield. Now we just have that big stupid B. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gupps Posted April 21, 2019 Report Share Posted April 21, 2019 7 hours ago, SF2 said: Talk about queer eye (not that there's anything wrong with that). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Posted April 21, 2019 Report Share Posted April 21, 2019 I have always like the black helmets with the orange stripes.. What if the helmets were a matte black with shiny or matte orange stripes? If we had black uniforms we would use those, and white uniforms we could use a white tiger helmet? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bleeds Orange Posted April 22, 2019 Report Share Posted April 22, 2019 10 hours ago, Griever said: Typically I'd say animal print should be reserved for women, but the helmets should not be touched. Agree with the OP, best helmets in the league. As dark of a time as it was, the 90s had the best design in my opinion. Always liked the leaping tiger, miss seeing it at midfield. Now we just have that big stupid B. For comparison, is the previous version they wore 1981-95. I always thought I preferred the original stripes, but now I think the 1996-2002 version was probably better. I'm not sure it would work today, but it would make a good starting point for an update. I like the striping pattern on the current pants, but that and the helmet are about the only things that aren't horrible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snarkster Posted April 22, 2019 Report Share Posted April 22, 2019 Don't touch the helmets, but I'm fine with a new set of Jerseys. Hate that the No Fun League won't allow alternate helmets with the Color Rush unis. Would love to see these (or the black on white version). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griever Posted April 22, 2019 Report Share Posted April 22, 2019 5 hours ago, snarkster said: Don't touch the helmets, but I'm fine with a new set of Jerseys. Hate that the No Fun League won't allow alternate helmets with the Color Rush unis. Would love to see these (or the black on white version). Damn, that looks badass Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Le Tigre Posted April 22, 2019 Report Share Posted April 22, 2019 Go back to the original Bengal uniform..from 1937 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
esjbh2 Posted April 23, 2019 Report Share Posted April 23, 2019 Kinda looks like a long sleeve t-shirt and a pair of Carhartt pants. But it would be pretty cool to see them sporting something like that one Sunday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
|Numbers| Posted April 23, 2019 Report Share Posted April 23, 2019 19 hours ago, Le Tigre said: Go back to the original Bengal uniform..from 1937 Side note: https://www.profootballarchives.com/playerr/rose01300.html 1936 Cincinnati Treslers (MWFL) https://www.profootballarchives.com/1937aflcin.html 1937 Cincinnati Bengals (AFL) https://www.si.com/vault/1975/12/22/616718/sportsman-of-the-year Not so sure Harry Francis Rose played for the Cincinnati Bengals. Maybe the Treslers… There is even an entire article in SI about Pete Rose including his father's belonging to the Bengals and had a team mate named Whitey Willenborg. Can't find either one of them on the Bengals. However, I did find proof that I was right about how the Bengals were named. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Le Tigre Posted April 23, 2019 Report Share Posted April 23, 2019 The 1932 NFL Championship game was played between the Chicago Bears and another of Ohio's early NFL teams, the Portsmouth Spartans. Due to extreme weather, the NFL did not want to risk losing the revenues they desperately needed in those days from either a cancellation or seriously-reduced attendance. It was scheduled to have been played at Wrigley Field, but they switched it to be played in Chicago Stadium (where the Bulls and Blackhawks used to play). The circus was in town, so there was already dirt on the floor--all was needed was sod to be placed over top. As it was inside, the field had to be reduced to 60 yards. This could also be called the first Arena League game! The Bears won 9-0. Not exactly the Philadelphia Soul/Arizona Rattlers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T-Dub Posted April 23, 2019 Report Share Posted April 23, 2019 9 minutes ago, Le Tigre said: The 1932 NFL Championship game was played between the Chicago Bears and another of Ohio's early NFL teams, the Portsmouth Spartans. Due to extreme weather, the NFL did not want to risk losing the revenues they desperately needed in those days from either a cancellation or seriously-reduced attendance. It was scheduled to have been played at Wrigley Field, but they switched it to be played in Chicago Stadium (where the Bulls and Blackhawks used to play). The circus was in town, so there was already dirt on the floor--all was needed was sod to be placed over top. As it was inside, the field had to be reduced to 60 yards. This could also be called the first Arena League game! The Bears won 9-0. Not exactly the Philadelphia Soul/Arizona Rattlers. Back when it was perfectly acceptable for a championship (or any) game to end 9-0. The TV network would shit a live goose. Goodell would have to cry on camera to keep his job. Utter chaos. They'd probably let Janet Jackson back onstage instead of playing the 2nd half. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BENGALS666 Posted April 23, 2019 Report Share Posted April 23, 2019 This team is pigeonholed into keeping the stripes. I would love them to go retro, but they won't. As boring as the original duds were, they looked good on the field. Helmet won't change in another 100 years, when they are the Kelloggs Tokyo Tigers with pictures of cereal on the helmet.. Expect more absurd patterns and swooshes etc. Why did I pick this team to follow? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gupps Posted April 23, 2019 Report Share Posted April 23, 2019 4 hours ago, T-Dub said: Back when it was perfectly acceptable for a championship (or any) game to end 9-0. The TV network would shit a live goose. Goodell would have to cry on camera to keep his job. Utter chaos. They'd probably let Janet Jackson back onstage instead of playing the 2nd half. True, and so damn depressing. I thought the last Super Bowl was one of the best in years. Idiots want to be the NBA with helmets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
|High School Harry| Posted May 9, 2019 Report Share Posted May 9, 2019 Bumping an ancient dead thread but just saw this. A Marvel comic influenced Symbiotets helmet. Let's be honest, I'm not a Marvel movie fan and don't even know what it is, personally, but I think the helmet is cool as H E Double and would love to see them adopt it. I also would like peace in the Middle East and to wake up with Taylor Swift and her little squinty eyes in my bed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparky151 Posted May 10, 2019 Report Share Posted May 10, 2019 It's from the Venom comic. Venom is sort of a demon who lives inside the Tom Hardy character but can come out at times. He has a malleable form which includes creating tentacles as needed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
|High School Harry| Posted May 10, 2019 Report Share Posted May 10, 2019 5 hours ago, sparky151 said: It's from the Venom comic. Venom is sort of a demon who lives inside the Tom Hardy character but can come out at times. He has a malleable form which includes creating tentacles as needed. If he can play linebacker, sign him up. I still like the helmet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snarkster Posted May 26, 2019 Report Share Posted May 26, 2019 Always thought the NFL doesn't allow an alternative helmet (even with the "Color Rush" uniforms), but don't the Rams have gold on blue and white on blue helmets? What gives? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Le Tigre Posted May 26, 2019 Report Share Posted May 26, 2019 For them, that is going away. They were given a window of "transition" after they screwed St. Louis--allowing them to use their St. Louis-era uniforms/helmets on a limited games basis. This allowance is ending in 2020 IIRC. Their NFL-recognized official helmet, etc, is the white horned one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
|BlackJesus| Posted May 26, 2019 Report Share Posted May 26, 2019 The helmets should never be changed. They are the best in all of football (pro, college, etc). But the uniforms should be adjusted with even more emphasis on stripes. I wish the NFL would make an exception that the Bengals instead of white and black -- can have orange jerseys and pants (with black stripes on them) for both home and away games (essentially not having a white or black jersey) --- since those are the colors of an actual tiger and would match the helmet which is orange with black stripes. This way the Bengals would play in the same uniform for both home and away (just have 2 sets of the same one). I would also have the pants fully striped, not a band along the side ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldschooler Posted May 31, 2019 Author Report Share Posted May 31, 2019 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat Posted May 31, 2019 Report Share Posted May 31, 2019 So when GB, Shittsburgh, et al wear those awful throwbacks - those helmets are decals? I am confused... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griever Posted May 31, 2019 Report Share Posted May 31, 2019 I was surprised to hear that the stripes are actually painted onto the helmets, which is why we can't use the "BENGALS" throwbacks. I think it'd be cool to do for one or two games a year. The NFL just needs to get rid of the dumb one-helmet rule. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.