Same Seattle Seahawks players, new Seahawks look

As the Canadian smoke cleared Lake Washington, the 12s viewed a physical, high-paced practice with Seahawks veterans displaying their football prowess. These athletes, whom we have grown to cherish, are going to look a little different on Sunday and it does not have to do with their diet program.

Same Seattle Seahawks, New Look

With attention growing around Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy or CTE, I believe a few Seahawks players are trying to prevent the disease from happening to them.

The sport always has the intent of making the game safer for their coveted athletes. Therefore, a new style of helmet is out and the face of the Seahawks organization made the transition.

Over the last two seasons, quarterback Russell Wilson wore a Riddel Revo Speed helmet to protect his noggin.

This season, the All-Pro is switching to a newer VICIS ZERO1 helmet. Wilson, who has had at least one concussion during his career with the Seahawks may be trying to stay ahead of this disease, which affects so many of his peers, past and present.

During his first couple of seasons, Doug Baldwin wore a Schutt Air XP, but is now wearing a VICIS ZER01, the same as Wilson. Furthermore, the Pro Bowl receiver will continue to keep his vision secret, while he utilizes a black visor.

The VICIS ZERO1 helmet is a new addition to football products and will be debuted by other players in the wake of the newest study on CTE disease.

A New Trend?

When one player changes their style, a few may notice.  But, when a position group changes their style, everyone notices. At training camp, I could not help but notice Wilson’s new appearance and that a majority of the receivers were wearing black visors.

Until this upcoming fall, only a few players wore a black visor. A majority of these players were on defense.

Now, the entire group of Seahawks wide receivers were wearing black visors. This may pay dividends throughout the sequences of a game. When a pass is thrown, many cornerbacks do not, initially, look up for the ball, as they are tracking the receiver.

As the ball projects down, a receiver’s eyes can tell where the football is in flight. A black visor will eliminate the possibility of a cornerback reading someone’s eyes, like Doug Baldwin, during his route.

Wide receivers Baldwin, Jermaine Kearse, Tanner McEvoy and running back C.J. Prosise have all transitioned to a black visor.

Highlight from Sunday’s Training Camp

On a field full of superior athletes, it can be hard to be noticed. Rookie safety Tedric Thompson moved like he was shot out of a cannon and disrupted a pass intended for a wide receiver. There was a player, who is known to 12s, but has a different number.

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Running back J.D. McKissic wore number 30 last year, but made a change to 14 for this fall. While lining up in the shotgun, McKissic ran a wheel route down the right sideline. A wheel route is a quick out to the sideline, which gradually extends up field. The pitch and catch gained a clap from the faithful in attendance.

(Moments captured by Tony Macias.)