I've believed that the NFL is going in the wrong direction with equipment.
As players get bigger, stronger, and faster, they attempt to make a helmet that adds padding and protection to the head, in an effort to stave off concussions. It may help reduce concussions, as it will better dissipate the energy of a hard blow to the head. But, is that really the way to go? What will happen, I would bet, is that the players wearing these helmets will be more likely to use the helmet as a spear, knowing they're better protected. So, concussions may go down, but other injuries caused by the helmet impacting unprotected body parts may go up. Also, couldn't more neck and back trauma occur with the helmet because the player wearing it may be more likely to lead with the head? I say this because if you watch old NFL film, back in the days of the old leather helmets, players rarely used the head to tackle.
So, go back to the old days of leather helmets and reduce the padding and I believe we'll have fewer injuries.
..oh, and get rid of artificial turf and indoor stadiums while we're at it.
