Paul Lukas

  (3:01 PM)

Hi, Folks. College football has started and the NFL starts tonight, so let's talk some uniforms.

Lucius (Milwaukee, WI)

Why do some basketball jerseys have a black stripe on the shoulder part?

Paul Lukas

  (3:02 PM)

It's the basketball equivalent of a black memorial armband.

Brian: Columbus,OH

You had mentioned in your new NFL uni-watch article that several teams are planning redesigns for the 2009 season. Do you know which teams are planning on changing their uniforms or logos? Thanks.

Paul Lukas

  (3:03 PM)

The Niners are definitely getting a revision. That's all I can say for sure.

Erich, St. Louis Missouri

Hey Paul, I love your work, ever since the Village Voice. What other teams use chain stitching other than my beloved Cardinals? Their authentic Unis are a work of art!

Paul Lukas

  (3:04 PM)

The Phillies and Astros also use chain-stitching on their jerseys (although, in the Phils' case, it's a chain-stitched patch that's then applied to the the jersey, while the other two use chainstithcing directly ONTO the jersey).

Jeff (Cape Coral, FL)

Paul, Curious to know if you've heard anything by way of the Giants equpiment room if they've considered wearing the white jerseys tonight against Washington to honor the Super Bowl run last year. I remember the Steelers discussing something like this two years ago, but ultimately deciding to stick with black for their home opener vs. Miami.

Paul Lukas

  (3:05 PM)

My Giants contact has been strangely quiet this week, which makes me wonder if they've got something special planned for tonight. But more likely he's just been crazy busy.... Anyway, I don't know for sure -- will have to wait and see like everyone else.

Mike R. (New York, N.Y.)

Did the Lions alter their famous Honolulu blue color when they redid their jerseys a few years back? It just doesn't look the same anymore, but the addition of black trim makes it hard to tell for sure. Any insight?

Paul Lukas

  (3:06 PM)

No color change, to my knowledge. I think all the black trim makes it SEEM a bit darker.

Brett, Orange, CA

Are there any jersey changes or additions you have heard of for the 2008-09 NHL season?

Paul Lukas

  (3:07 PM)

Lots of teams will have third jerseys (expect a ton of unveilings this month), plus some patches, etc. And just today, the Canucks announced that they're retiring Trevor Linden's number.

Paul Blackham, Trafford, PA

Which (if any) of the proposed throwbacks to be worn this year in the NFL should be adopted as the team's primary uniform?

Paul Lukas

  (3:08 PM)

This is the part where you expect me to say, "The Bills." And that's exactly what I'm going to say.

Tom - Stevens Point, WI

Is there a certain time period that college football teams go through....cycles? before they make uniform adjustments? I think you mentioned Oregon is up for a change next year. What about Notre Dame? Can't wait until they put ND on the uniform again.

Paul Lukas

  (3:09 PM)

It varies by team. Oregon, to cite one notorious example, is on a three-year cycle. But Nike has made small type-font changes to Rutgers for three or four years in a row now. There's no basic rule for it (except that it's all way too much).

Chris [chicago]

What are you showing when you open up for the Magnetic Fields on tour? Can you tell us where to find dates?

Paul Lukas

  (3:10 PM)

Go to my blog (uniwatchblog.com) and scroll down to yesterday's entry. Full details there.

Jeff I (Boston)

Paul, it's been nearly a year since the RBK Edge hoopla. Which NHL team overhauled best?

Paul Lukas

  (3:11 PM)

I really like what the Blue Jackets did. Very modern and contemporary without being too busy. Totally passes the "Is it good or is it stupid?" test.

Jeff I (Boston)

Pats are also ditching silver alternate for the red old school throwback I believe

Paul Lukas

  (3:12 PM)

Ditching silver alternate: Yes. Red alternate: Not until next season.

Mark (Chicago)

Hi Paul -- I love UniWatch. By now, we usually have leaked information about baseball uniform changes for next year. Anything yet?

Paul Lukas

  (3:13 PM)

I don't know about leaks, but I've heard from reliable sources that the Rangers are adding a lot of red to their color scheme (again) and changing "Rangers" to "Texas" on their home jersey, and that the Cubs are ditching their road cap (they'll wear solid-blue caps for all games). None of that is confirmed yet, but I've heard it from people I trust. I'm sure there will be other changes.

Tom - Stevens Point, WI

You reported that Tennessee's player names would be orange, in fact they were black in the game against UCLA.

Paul Lukas

  (3:14 PM)

Yes, I was given faulty information on that one. I printed a correction as part of the follow-up NCAA report in today's column on Page 2.

Jay (Philly, PA)

Will all the teams (NFL)on Thanksgiving be wearing some type of throwback or alt uniform?

Paul Lukas

  (3:15 PM)

The Lions will wear their 75th-anniversary throwbacks (which look pretty much like the throwbacks they've worn in other seasons). Not sure yet about other teams who are playing that day.

Trevor (Anaheim)

Paul, I'd love to hear your opinion on arguably the worst logo in the history of pro sports (OKC Thunder.) Thoughts?

Paul Lukas

  (3:15 PM)

My thoughts on that logo can currently be found on the Page 2 main page.

Adam (Cincinnati)

I'm a big bengals fan, so during the pre-season I noticed now the helmet patterns are different depending on make/model. For instance, Carson Palmer's new helmet has one less stripe than his counterparts (I believe the third stripe). To your knowledge, has this ever happened that the main design needs to be changed depending on make/model of the helmet?

Paul Lukas

  (3:17 PM)

Yes. Lots of teams have to adjust their decals based on whether a player is wearing a Riddell Revolution helmet, a Schutt helmet, or whatever. The Panthers come to mind as a team whose stripes vary by helmet make.

Fred Philly, PA

Why do some teams (e.g. Philadelphia Eagles) wear only one color jersey for the entire set of pre-season games? The Eagles only wore white jerseys the last two pre-seasons.

Paul Lukas

  (3:17 PM)

Dude, it's August -- it's hot out there. Lots of teams prefer to wear white, because it retains less heat.

Matt (Chicago, IL)

Question about football uniforms and the various templates that are taking root (particularly with football jerseys - a la Michigan's new white jersey this year). Is there any functional purpose to any of the trim (i.e., the sides of many football jerseys had stretchy gussets (my favorite uniform-related word) long before people started using them as a contrast color). Any functional purpose to all this or pure flash / branding?

Paul Lukas

  (3:20 PM)

The stripes themselves have no function. But today's jerseys (and pants, for that matter) have many more separate panels and seams than the uniforms of decades past. A football jersey in the 1970s had maybe fives pieces of fabric: front, back, yoke, left sleeve, right sleeve. But today you've got side panels, shoulder panels, chest panels, little stretch areas snaking here and there. And each added panel is an opportunity to add a contrasting color. And if they can, they usually do.

Patrick (Jacksonville, FL)

What do you think of the Jaguars revisions to their uniform over the past few years? What is your take in the addition of all the black (alternate jersey, road uni numbers, pants, white pants striping)?

Paul Lukas

  (3:21 PM)

I have long maintained that the Jags' basic home look (white pants, turquoise jersey) is one of the best and most underrated looks in the NFL, or even in all of sports. An all-time classic in the making if they have the good sense to leave it alone. I'm not as fond of the black jersey, black pants, etc.

Cletus Birnam, FL

How many jerseys do you own?

Paul Lukas

  (3:22 PM)

Very few -- just a few handful of vintage flannel baseball jerseys from old high school and factory teams, plus a few 1960s h.s. basketball warm-up shirts. Not interested in buying or owning today's merchandised jerseys.

Tom - Stevens Point, WI

Will all NFL teams eventually adopt "identity" tags (Vikings, Lions, etc.) below the neckline?

Paul Lukas

  (3:24 PM)

It seems inevitable. The reason for it, of course, is merchandising: People don't just wanna walk down the street in a blue jersey with white numbers -- they want a blue jersey with white numbers and the team name, just like the team name appears on the jerseys of every other sport. This never mattered until merchandising started driving the design decisions.

Jeff I (Boston)

Cmon Paul, no love for the Bruins overhaul?! Biased and kidding of course.

Paul Lukas

  (3:25 PM)

Not exactly an overhaul. Gorgeous uniform, though. Classic.

Tom - Stevens Point, WI

I just want to go on the record as saying that the modern day lineman jerseys gross me out. Can't stand the idea of pads, pits, and nothing else. Get at least some fabric in there. And if skill position jerseys get any tighter players won't be able to breathe.

Paul Lukas

  (3:26 PM)

Agreed. The way sleeves have completely vanished in football is one of the really sad uni-related stories of the past decade.

skippy (Philly)

Sixers will be playing in their 60th season. Do you see the '83 throwbacks being worn or the "starman" uni coming back?

Paul Lukas

  (3:27 PM)

They're definitely gonna push the throwbacks this year. Not sure which era.

shelby ( Oregon )

any word on what oregon plans to do next year?

Paul Lukas

  (3:28 PM)

No idea. At this point, they really have only two choices: Do something COMPLETELY crazy that makes even the current set look bland by comparison, or else swing the pendulum back all the way to the other side of the spectrum and go with a classic, no-frills look. That would catch a lot of people by surprise and earn them lots of points with fans and nay-sayers alike.

Rob (Richmond, VA)

Paul- As you're well aware, big fan of the blog. I noticed in today's column the Steelers would again wear their throwbacks for two games this year. I was under the impression they were made especially for last season, their 75th. Are they just trying to make sure folks keep buying them?

Paul Lukas

  (3:29 PM)

I blame a lot of things on merchandising, but I'm not sure that's the case here. The fan reaction to the throwbacks last year was very strong (not just at the cash register), so they decided to bring them back.

Patrick Austin, TX

Do you know where one could by some vintage/ old track uniforms?

Paul Lukas

  (3:30 PM)

There's this site you may have heard of, called eBay.

Paul Lukas

  (3:32 PM)

BREAKING NEWS, and you heard it hear first: While we've been chatting, I just got a call from the Bengals, and they say they're going to put "Ocho Cinco" on Chad Johnson's jersey this Sunday!

Jeff

I have kind of a weird question. In the past, the Titans have often wore white at home early in the season. Not only is it cooler for them in the whites but then the opponent has to wear their dark jersey. Since they have switched to the powder blue this year does that mean they will be unable to do that this year?

Paul Lukas

  (3:33 PM)

They still have the option of wearing white at home if they choose. But their primary colored jersey, when they end up wearing color, is light blue.

Cosmo (Anytown, USA)

The best uniform in all of sports is _______________ .

Paul Lukas

  (3:34 PM)

Toss-up between Packers and baseball Cardinals.

Lester Bayone, NJ

Eagles' 75th season throw-backs should have been throw-outs. Flag of Sweden!

Paul Lukas

  (3:35 PM)

Yeah, but that was because it matched the flag of PHILLY, which had those colors because Philly was originally a city of Swedish immigrants. So it actually made sense from a regional-history perspective.

Mike (Chicago)

Wow I guess they love it when Chad Johnson wants to have all eyes on him...Only a terrible orginization would let that him do that....Shame on the Bengals

Paul Lukas

  (3:37 PM)

I don't see how you can blame the Bengals for it -- it's his name now, he got it legally changed. They're changing it on the roster, on his locker, and on his jersey. Stupid move on his part? Maybe. Stupid move on the team's part? Seems like they're just doing what's called for based on his legal name.

glenn (Morris Plains, NJ)

Settle an old debate...which was the worst abuse of orange ever...the Astros'old home creamscile jerseys, Syracuse football's orange jersey with orange helmets, Bowling Green's all orange "prison jumpsuit" home look from a few years back or the Phoenix Mercury's old "radioactive" road jerseys (which im happy to report were retired 2 years ago and replaced with a very tolerable purple)

Paul Lukas

  (3:37 PM)

Clemson orange and purple ... ugh.

Jeff (Cape Coral, FL)

What's with the exploding trend of NFL teams wearing white at home during the first few weeks of the season. Growing up, I remember a few teams wearing white at home full-time (Miami, Cleveland, Dallas, Washington, etc.,) but now it seems as if all teams are doing it. Has global warming made September games that much hotter? With the lighter materials, I'd think home teams in the 70's would have been much more uncomfortable in dark jerseys. Since most jersey sales are based on the dark jerseys, it can't be merchandising, can it?

Paul Lukas

  (3:38 PM)

Back in the day, I don't think many teams thought about the heat-retention issue. Now they do. Does it really make a difference? No idea. Maybe just psychological (which can be half the battle on a football field).

Tom - Stevens Point, WI

Best NHL unis....Chicago Blackhawks.

Paul Lukas

  (3:39 PM)

I love their design. The funny thing is, uni designs with more than two or three colors are usually a disaster, and the 'Hawks have sooooo many colors in the Indian's headdress, but it still works.

Andrew (Orange County, CA)

Paul, There have been a lot of horrible logos unleashed upon us by expansion teams in all of the "Big Four" over the past decade. Do you have a favorite?

Paul Lukas

  (3:40 PM)

Minnesota Wild, hands down.

Jeff (Cape Coral, FL)

Speaking of Syracuse, I've heard there in line for a complete rebranding thanks to AD Darryl Gross and Nike (starting to sound like a broken record?) Any word on what the Orange may be up to?

Paul Lukas

  (3:41 PM)

I hadn't heard that, but I'll look into it. I really like what they've got this year -- which they'd keep it (seems like they make changes every single year).

Matt

What's the story behind the Johnny LeMaster "Boo" jersey? I definitely remember him as a player and I know he wasn't very good, but I don't recall that jersey.

Paul Lukas

  (3:42 PM)

He was having a rough season and was booed relentlessly by the fans. So for one game, he got the equipment manager to stitch "BOO" on his jersey. When the fans saw it, they cheered. He acknowledged the cheers. And then they booed. For those who haven't seen a photo of this, there's a link to it in my column today.

Vince (Cleveland, OH)

If the Browns go with 1946-1949 throwbacks for a game this season, as is rumored, would it be a travesty if they also put numbers on the helmets, which is also supposedly going to happen?

Paul Lukas

  (3:43 PM)

Personally, I love numbers on helmets -- wish the Chargers had done it when they went back to white helmets.

Alan (Indianapolis)

Would you happen to know when the Bills are planning on wearing throwbacks with the standing red buffalo?

Paul Lukas

  (3:44 PM)

Sept. 21 and Nov. 30.

scott (minnesota)

what happened to the twins wearing the res alternte hat?

Paul Lukas

  (3:45 PM)

No longer part of their set (and I can't say I miss it).

Mike Philadelphia

How big will the Gene Upshaw patch be that is appearing on the NFL jerseys this season?

Paul Lukas

  (3:48 PM)

Haven't seen an actual-size version of it. Can't be TOO big, what with all the other patches teams are wearing this season....

Cosmo (Anytown, USA)

Your thoughts on Penn State's uni's.

Paul Lukas

  (3:49 PM)

There's no other uniform that is ruined quite so much by the presence of the swoosh. Whatever you think of Penn State (boring and bland, or classic and perfect), we should all be able to agree that the swoosh just doesn't belong on the chest.

Dan (Buffalo, NY)

I was watching a Jays game the other day and noticed that there is no BLUE (well, hardly) in their uniforms. Why do teams do this? I don't understand why the White Sox don't have white socks, the Reds and Red Sox a few years back).

Paul Lukas

  (3:50 PM)

I agree, it's ridiculous, although at least the Jays are wearing powder blues this season. The White Sox thing is an enduring mystery -- you'd think a team whose biggest historical scandal is referred to as "Black Sox" would want ot wear anything OTHER than black socks.

David (Villeurbanne, France)

How can you like the raised dots of Colorado so much and at the same time be repulsed by Oregon's diamond pattern? A move that was initiated by the players so that they could feel tougher on game day.

Paul Lukas

  (3:51 PM)

I think one looks good and the other doesn't, simple as that. And I really don't care what makes the players feel tougher -- there's only a few dozen of them, but there are literally millions of us who have to look at them. Letting 20-year-olds make design decisions for a team is like letting inmates run the asylum.

Phil (Collegetown, PA)

Is it true that Penns State jerseys have a secret "ID" mark on the yoke by the right shoulder. Ebroidered Tone-on-tone PSU from what I hear.

Paul Lukas

  (3:52 PM)

I think we ran some photos of this on my blog a while back. I know of other "secret" tone-on-tone logos, too -- lots of hidden details lurking out there!

Scott (Albany NY)

Why do MLB teams use the color red so much in their uni's - obviously except for the Red Sox and Reds - Houston had nice uni's in the 90's with blue lettering and the open ended gold star then switched to brick when they moved to the new stadium - playing in the same division with the Reds, Cards, and even Cubs why wouldn't they want to distinguish themselves from the others?

Paul Lukas

  (3:54 PM)

I can't speak specifically to the issue of red, but leagues consult with color forecasters (the Color Mafia, I call them) who tell them which colors will be popular for the next few years, which colors will be trendy, etc. Again, this is another example of sports design being driven primarily be merchandising concerns, instead of by the simple question, "What looks good on the field?"

Jack (Tampa, FL)

Do you know if MLB is planning on getting rid (or changing) of the batting practice jerseys anytime soon? I hate how cookie-cutter (not to mention the horrible template) they have become.

Paul Lukas

  (3:54 PM)

Can't see them getting rid of them, since they're a cash cow (or at least a cash calf).

Mike (Newark, DE)

I noticed that you didn't have any information on the New York Giants' "blood red" alternate jerseys this year. Are they going away for good?

Paul Lukas

  (3:55 PM)

The Giants have never given much advance notice for when they'll be wearing the reds. Their pattern seems to be that they wear them for a divisional game in December. Some teams are much better about announcing this stuff publicly than others.

Matt (Florida)

Is MLB going to synch the mismatched gray cool based jerseys/pants that are all over the place this season?

Paul Lukas

  (3:57 PM)

MLB is working hard -- seriously -- to make all gray uniforms to be the same shade of gray. At one point there were something like 11 or 13 grays out there; now there are, I think, five. They want it to be one, but certain teams really like their particular shade, and the Cool Base fabric doesn't hold the gray dye the same way as other fabrics, so it's trickier than it might initially seem.

Frank C (Serenity, NY)

I miss Pat the Patriot - any talk of bringing him back?

Paul Lukas

  (3:57 PM)

Maybe as a throwback, but that's it. I miss him, too.

Kate (Denver)

Was in Inconspicuous Consumption written for Young Adults as suggested by amazon? Also, is it only available through independent sellers?

Paul Lukas

  (3:58 PM)

Inconspicuous Consumption (a book I wrote in 1997) is for adults. It was published by a major publisher but is now out of print. Lots of used copies floating around.

Paul (Hilo, HI)

To be fair, teams make a TON of money off of merchandising. I don't think it's incredibly fair to criticize clubs for trying to make money. It IS a business, afterall. But hey, you're entitled to your opinion as much as I'm entitled to mine. But the quicker people understand money drives everything (not always a positive, I'll admit), the better off they'll be.

Paul Lukas

  (3:59 PM)

Why, yes, that seems like a good prism for looking at the world. Make a ton of $$$ because that's all that matters. Good luck.

Paul Lukas

  (4:00 PM)

I gotta run, folks. Thanks for a lively chat -- hope we can do it again soon!