March 23, 2017
UPDATE [Friday, 3:15 p.m.] – So much for the return of Kelly Green. According to Dave Zangaro of CSNPhilly.com, the Eagles have withdrawn all but one of their proposals ahead of the upcoming NFL league meetings "after getting feedback from the NFL's competition committee."
Unfortunately, the one remaining isn't the one regarding helmet color for alternate uniforms, which would've at least allowed them to match their helmets to their all-black uniforms; it's the one that would prohibit players from leaping over the line of scrimmage to try to block a field goal. Zangaro adds that it's likely that proposal will pass.
UPDATE TO THE UPDATE: Zach Berman of The Inquirer is confirming:
The Eagles are withdrawing three of their rule proposals, including the one about alternate helmets, according to sources.
— Zach Berman (@ZBerm) March 24, 2017
At least they tried.
I have only one problem with the Eagles' otherwise-badass all-black alternate uniforms, but it's a big one – and one I voice to whomever will listen each time the Birds break them out. They're not actually all-black.
And before you call me an idiot, you should know that I do indeed realize the numbers and logos have to be a different color. What I'm talking about isn't even anywhere on the jersey. The issues I have with those uniforms is the rogue white stripe down the pants that appears out of nowhere and ruins their entire purpose – for an example of how this is done properly, see the Ravens' black uniforms).
The other issue is the helmets. Currently, NFL safety rules dictate that teams can only wear one color helmet for the entire season. And for the Eagles, that helmet is midnight green, whether they're wearing white, green or black.
That could all change going forward, and it turns out that the Eagles might be the ones responsible for making it happen.
At the upcoming owners meetings, they'll vote on several proposals that have been submitted from both teams and the competition committee. The Eagles are responsible for five of the 24 total changes that have been proposed, including four rule-change proposals.
Their fifth is a Resolution Proposal, and is definitely the most interesting to Eagles fans, especially those who want to see their beloved Kelly Green jerseys brought back.
1. By Philadelphia: Amends the NFL’s On-Field Policy to allow clubs to have an alternate helmet in a color to match their third uniform. [profootballtalk.com]
On the surface, it looks like the Birds are simply trying to get a black helmet to match the rest of their alternate uniform. (Could you imagine matte-black? Is that even legal?)
But Brandon Lee Gowton of Bleeding Green Nation proposed an alternate theory as to why the Eagles might be interested in changing this policy, and I've got to say, he makes a good point:
But there’s no way that’s really what the Eagles care about here, right? This has to be about Kelly Green back (as an alternate)! Or at least that’s what a lover of Kelly Green such as myself would think.
Seriously, though, I don’t think it’s crazy to suggest that’s what’s happening here. No one cares about potentially having black helmets. People love Kelly Green. And a big reason why the Eagles haven’t been able to wear Kelly Green uniforms recently is because they’d have to wear their current midnight helmets with it due to NFL safety rules.
It’s been a long time since we’ve heard about the potential return of Kelly Green. Back in the summer of 2014, Eagles president Don Smolenski told SportsRadio 94WIP the organization was considering reviving Kelly Green as an alternate uniform. [bleedinggreennation.com]
That may not be the Eagles' ultimate agenda here. But if this proposal passes, it opens the door for the possibility of Kelly Green making a comeback a few times a season.
At the very least, their black uniforms will be getting an upgrade. Now if only they could do something about that white stripe...
Here are the other four rule-change proposals submitted by the Birds, via ProFootballTalk:
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