September 19th, 2021 was remembered for an all-time classic SNF game where Lamar Jackson’s electric plays and clutch conversions combined with a game-sealing forced fumble by rookie Odafe Oweh led Baltimore to an upset win over the Chiefs. Plenty of GW-FGA took place in Week 2 as the Titans and Cowboys Kickers clutched up while Vikings K Greg Joseph failed when it mattered most. Justin Fields got his first extended taste of NFL action and Eagles EDGE Brandon Graham unfortunately tore his Achilles.
See what happened in sports on September 19th last year, headlined by Justin Verlander needing Tommy John surgery and the Boston Celtics winning a must-win ECF Game 3 vs. Miami as well as what happened in sports on September 19th, 2019 ft. Gardner Minshew making his first career start in Jacksonville while his defense put up a whopping nine sacks in one game.
WHAT HAPPENED IN SPORTS OVERVIEW: This daily sports post includes real headlines only (no clickbait rumors), all of the best highlights, interesting facts from around the NFL, NBA, & MLB, the main games to watch, notable birthdays, and a quick recap of significant events on this day in sports history.
HEADLINES
NFL
Sep 19, 2021
Lamar Jackson led the Baltimore Ravens upset win over the Kansas City Chiefs on SNF after some electric highlights, clutch conversions, and a game-changing FF by rookie Odafe Oweh
NFL
Sep 19, 2021
Derrick Henry’s monster performance led the Tennessee Titans to a comeback OT victory in Seattle capped off by a GW-FG from Randy Bullock
NFL
Sep 19, 2021
Arizona Cardinals survived the Minnesota Vikings thanks to another MVP-caliber performance from Kyler Murray and a missed GW-FG by Greg Joseph
NFL
Sep 19, 2021
Dallas Cowboys took down the Los Angeles Chargers for their 1st win of the season after Greg Zuerlein’s GW-FG from 56 yards at the end of regulation
NFL
Sep 19, 2021
After Andy Dalton got injured, Justin Fields received his 1st extended action with some clutch plays to clinch Chicago’s 1st win of the season against Cincinnati as Joe Burrow threw 3 2nd half INT
NFL
Sep 19, 2021
Philadelphia Eagles Pro Bowl EDGE Brandon Graham has suffered a torn Achilles and will miss the entire 2021 season
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Another primetime game early in the 2021 season has concluded with a game-winning score as the Washington Football Team defeated their NFC East rival New York Giants 30-29. The result could’ve easily ended in a NYG victory but Dexter Lawrence was offsides on the first GW-FG attempt that Dustin Hopkins missed. However, after the neutral zone infraction, Hopkins nailed his second attempt and capped off DC’s dramatic victory in the District that was headlined by backup QB Taylor Heinicke‘s impressive performance.
Washington’s QB Taylor Heinicke has recorded the most CMP (93) through a player’s 1st 3 career GS in NFL history (including postseason) pic.twitter.com/BketCTWrbD
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) September 17, 2021
INTERESTING FACTS
Daniel Jones recorded the most RUSH YDS (95) during 1 GP by a New York Giants QB in the Super Bowl era
Terry McLaurin has the most GP (7) with 100+ REC YDS in a DC player’s 1st 3 seasons since Gary Clark (13 GP) in 1985-87
Taylor Heinicke has recorded the most CMP (93) through a player’s 1st 3 career GS in NFL history (including postseason)
If Jones loses 1 more primetime game, he’ll become the 1st QB to lose his 1st 7 career primetime GP since 1950
Odds vs. NYG: WAS -190 (Spread -3.5)
MAIN TAKEAWAY
TAYLOR HEINICKE IS SHOWING HE CAN BE DC’S STARTING QB OF THE FUTURE
COLORS KEY | FULLWFT OUTLOOK
Before the Thursday Night thriller took place, Taylor Heinicke had SOME hype entering the game after a memorable performance where he arguably outplayed Tom Brady in the postseason. However, considering the small sample size, Washington’s lack of confidence in him as QB1 that led to the acquisition of Ryan Fitzpatrick, and their unwillingness to allow Heinicke to compete for the starting job in camp, nobody really KNEW what Heinicke would do in his first start since WFT’s exit in the NFC Wild Card Rd.
It’s safe to say the 28-year-old exceeded all expectations (evenChase Young‘s) as he looked sharp all game long. Through his three career starts (including the playoffs), his 93 completions are the most in NFL history. He’s firing the ball with pinpoint accuracy and is having plenty of success in moving the chains by making the right reads and leading receivers without many turnover-worthy plays.
He’s already formed a great connection with WR1 Terry McLaurin and made a tremendous throw to backup TE Ricky Seals-Jones that was the GW-TD before a late INT led to another GWD to set up the GW-FG. The G-Men are by no means a great defense but the Bucs surely are, and he put great play on film then, following it up with another solid showing. The small sample size still leaves room for things to go south, but at this rate, Heinicke looks like he could be the future franchise QB in the nation’s capital.
BEST HIGHLIGHTS
Wild ending to TNF in DC
NYG was offsides on the first kick, which was missed
The Rawlings Rev1x is one of the most highly anticipated gloves in recent memory… so much so that we produced an “Origins” short film about it in July:
The hype has been building ever since Francisco Lindor broke out the Rev1x during Spring Training last year. With all this hype, the Rev1x came with some very high expectations. We have the 11.75″ Rev1x REV205-9X in hand to give our honest opinion on Rawlings’ new futuristic ball glove. Here’s the video, and read on for more details…
Meet the Rawlings Rev1x. The model we have is the 11.75″ pitchers pattern, the REV205-9X. The Rev1x features Rawlings’ tried-and-true Heart of the Hide leather on the palm paired with the new rubbery backing. One of the most revolutionary features is the 3D printed thumb and pinky inserts. Rawlings claims that “unlike traditional gloves’ wool padding – that breaks down and gets floppy over time – these 3D-printed pieces provide variable stiffness that lasts and lasts”. Whether these inserts will stand up over time will remain to be seen. All of this new innovation comes at a price. All Rev1x models come in at $400, a substantial jump from the Heart of the Hide line that shares the base leather. This poses the question, is the Rev1x worth it?
LOOKS
We will start this review like I do all of my first impression reviews, with the looks of the glove. The glove we were sent is by far the most understated out of the initial four Rawlings released. This pitchers piece is all black leather with the new synthetic back featuring a variety of gray tones. Anything new and different will create a polarizing effect. Some people love it and some people hate it.
Personally, I am a big fan of how the Rev1x line looks. The striped design across the back of the fingers matches the futuristic vibe of the Rev1x. As I mentioned, this is the most understated glove that Rawlings released in their initial Rev1x launch. I am more of a fan of the louder color combos for this particular. The crazy colors seem to fit well with the Rev1x’s new design. While this glove is understated by Rev1x standards, it will still stand out on any ball field. It is a simple but very clean look that is hard to dislike. The carbon fiber looking X on the two-piece web is also a very cool touch. This model has an almost minimalistic look with the lack of laces paired with the muted colors and the simplistic “Rawlings” wrist patch.
FEEL
Next, let’s talk about how the glove feels. The first thing I noticed when I took this glove out of the box is how comfortable it is. The thumb and pinky loops are removed and replaced with very padded sleeves which feel great. Every finger stall, as well as the finger pad, are also super plush and add to the level of comfort. The elastic wrist strap also fits very snug, I just worry about that loosening up over time.
You can see the padded thumb and kind of see the padded pinky in this picture but it also shows off the laceless palm which removes any weird pinching the palm lace might cause. The leather quality is as expected from Heart of the Hide, it is high quality steer-hide leather. The new backing feels rubberized and durable. Synthetic materials are always a tricky balance between durability and weight savings or looks but, initially at least, this material feels like it will last. That being said, this glove did not come super stiff and was fairly easy to close. straight out of the box.
PATTERN
The glove Rawlings sent over to WPW is the REV205-9X. For those who know Rawlings stamping know that means this is an 11.75″ PRO200 pattern with the two-piece X web. The PRO200 pattern is one of the most popular patterns Rawlings offers. Apart from the PRO303 outfield model, the PRO200 is the only model Rawlings released during the initial drop (the FL12 was also dropped but is just a rebranded PRO200).
This PRO205 pattern felt familiar but the changes that come with the Rev1x did produce a slightly different feel, in my opinion. The glove feels like it wants to close a bit more shallow than other PRO200 patterns I have seen but did retain the general bowl shaped feel PRO200 enthusiasts will recognize. The pocket will be fairly deep and should allow you to conceal the ball well on the mound. The 3D printed thumb and pinky inserts are quite stiff and want to retain a fairly straight look. I have tried to add a slight flare but the glove wants to return to its naturally straight state.
DAY 1 THOUGHTS
All of this begs the question, is the Rev1x worth the $400 price tag? I am a firm believer that “value” is in the eye of the one spending the money. I am not going to tell you to go buy it or not, I am just going to provide my opinion so you can draw your own conclusions. The best thing I can relate it to is buying a phone. If you’re the type of person who buys the new iPhone every time it comes out, you have a much different view than the person who is still rocking with their iPhone 6.
The Rev1x contains a lot of “new tech” in the world of baseball gloves. This newness come at a price, like all innovation does. The Heart of the Hide leather base is high quality steer-hide that is battle tested. A stock HOH comes in at $280 with limited edition models hitting the $300 price point. I think the $400 price tag is high, but justified. Obviously, everybody wants things to be cheaper but this glove isn’t going to be for everyone. Rawlings didn’t release this glove to make it the only one on the field but to bring innovation to the world of baseball gloves. While the Rev1x is not for everyone, I see the upside and like the innovation.
I am going to work this one in over the next few weeks to see how the glove breaks in. Stay tuned for a follow up post. If you have a Rev1x, let us know your thoughts on the glove in the comments below. If you want to get your hands on a Rev1x, you can shop the four available patterns from Rawlings website.
As always, if you are a company who wants us to do an honest product review, comment below or hit us up on the WPW IG page.
The post First Impressions | Rawlings Rev1x REV205-9X appeared first on What Pros Wear.
After a hiatus in the states, SSK is back with a vengeance. The company exited the US market due to distribution reasons but after sorting that out with a direct-to-consumer model, SSK is back with some high quality leather. The ZPro glove line is a product of this resurgence. Every ZPro model will be limited to a production run of only 30 gloves. Once they sell out, they’re gone forever. This glove line features the same quality and specs that the pro guys receive. Each ZPro glove is a clone of the glove used on a big league diamond.
SSK is currently offering eight models in the ZPro line, all coming in at $350. The line features four Javy Baez models, two Luis Urias models, and two Wander Franco models. This post will take a look at all eight offerings currently available.
Javier Baez
Javy Baez has been SSK’s flagship athlete for a few years now and it shows with the line they have released for him. The only difference between these gloves and Javy’s gamers is the lack of his sister’s name on the pointer finger. Other than that these are carbon copies.
All of Javy’s models come in at 11.25″, a good option for sure-handed middle infielders. The first of his is this royal blue piece with the unique yellow and white accents. El Mago (The Magician) graces the thumb of all of his ZPro models as well. I am a huge fan of the home plate/diamond inlay on the one-piece web.
The elephant print design is a cool touch. The red palm liner and the accents on the pinky make this glove super unique and quite flashy. It all ties together and, overall, I like this color combo.
The next offering from Baez is this tan beauty. I love the web on this one! The inlay combined with the unique lacing makes this web one I had not seen before. The classic tan leather makes this glove a little more understated than the previous blue one.
This glove features the same trim design as the previous glove but this time with red on white. It adds a little touch of flash to an otherwise classic glove.
This piece is by far the most traditional in the Baez glove line. A simple black and blonde color combo is always a winner. That paired with a classic one-piece web makes this glove clean.
This glove is certainly not as flashy as the rest but retains the same level of rarity for those who don’t like the loud colors.
We jump from the most classic to probably the loudest. SSK created this show-stopping pink glove for Baez for Mother’s Day. This glove is about as crazy as it gets. It’s not often you see a pink and white glove featured on an MLB infield.
While this certainly isn’t for everyone, for the right person, this is probably a dream glove.
Luis Urias
Luis Urias is a Brewers infielder with huge potential on a team already loaded with the tools to be special.
Urias’ primary gamer is this all blonde, 11.5″ I web. This glove is classic and clean – not much else to say.
In a world of kaleidoscope gloves, this is a refreshing dose of simplicity that will age like a fine wine.
This Urias glove adds a little more Brewers flair to the 11.5″ I web base. The gray and navy blue pair well together, allowing the yellow to pop.
This is a pretty unique design that works really well. It’s a color combo you don’t see everyday but a great design overall.
Wander Franco
By now, I think just about everyone in the baseball world knows about Wander Franco. The switch-hitting, five-tool phenom is one of baseball’s brightest future stars and his glove-game matches the hype.
Wander marries classic and flashy beautifully with this 11.75″ stunner. El Patron, or The Boss, graces the thumb of this black-based I web glove. The elephant print leather makes another appearance on this glove and I am a huge fan.
The awesome pinky trim returns and is paired with baby blue to add a touch of color. The tan laces are an interesting choice but work really well, in my opinion. This glove is a winner!
The final offering from this ZPro drop is this 11.5″ eye-catching I web. Wander went much louder with this teal and yellow combo. The gold laces add even more swag to this Rays-themed beauty.
It is worth emphasizing that Wander created two gloves at two different sizes. Wander plays both positions on the left side and likely opts for the larger glove at third base.
Final Thoughts
SSK has created some epic limited edition leather. These gloves are pro quality and stunningly designed, making the ZPro line a winner for SSK. Stay tuned as they continue to add more models but don’t forget, each model will only ever have 30 made. If you see one you like, don’t sleep on it.
The post SSK returns to America with the ZPro Glove Line appeared first on What Pros Wear.
The NFL pre-season is underway and we’re getting our first look at the 2021 Draft Class in action. We already covered what brands some of these future superstars are signed with but now we’re going to dive into the specifics. We’ve researched what each of the 32 first round draft picks is wearing. This research provides us with valuable insight on what gear some of the worlds best are wearing on the field. In this article, we’ll be focusing on the most popular helmets, cleats and gloves.
Helmets
We’re gonna kick things off with helmets. Helmets are arguably the most crucial piece of equipment for a football player. During the game of football, players are going to get hit in the head, a lot. That’s just part of the game but the job of a helmet is to absorb that contact and protect your brain from both short term and long term injuries. Helmets are getting more and more innovative each year so let’s see what these guys are wearing.
Riddell | 78%
Trevor Lawrence wears the Riddell Speedflex. via Jaguars.com.
Riddell has been the leader in football helmets for a very long time and this year is no different. Twenty-five of the thirty-two First Round Picks are wearing Riddell, all 25 in the Speedflex. The Speedflex debuted in 2014 and has been the most popular helmet in the NFL since. It has top of the line safety ratings (check our Top 5 NFL & NFLPA Helmets article) and has a very sleek design. The Speedflex’s outer shell has a unique, hexagon panel that ‘flexes’ to absorb contact. For the inner padding of the helmet, Riddell has a couple different options for players; the diamond, the precision fit, the diamond precision fit, regular precision fit, and lastly the regular Riddell Speedflex. All versions score exceptionally well across multiple tests and are a great choice for any player. All QBs drafted in the first round (Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson, Trey Lance, Justin Fields, and Mac Jones), wear the Riddell Speedflex. You can purchase your own from Riddell.com for about $425.
Schutt | 22%
Ja’Marr Chase wears the Schutt F7. Photo via CincyJungle.com.
1st Round Rookies not wearing Riddell, are wearing Schutt. Seven of the thirty-two draft picks are wearing Schutt football helmets, most in the Schutt F7. The Schutt F7 is a personal favorite of mine because of it’s sharp looks and low-key profile. There appears to be a trend of “Skill” players gravitating towards the Schutt F7 and that’s because it’s much lighter than the Speedflex. The F7 weighs in at 4.1 pounds while the Speedflex is nearly 5 pounds. The F7 is also packed with advanced technology like their “Tektonic Plates”. These plates can be seen on the top of the shell and actually move independently from the rest of the helmet to disperse contact. While they do look a little strange, they are proven to work. The F7 is one of the top rated helmets across all testing and was also featured on our Top 5 Helmets rated by the NFL & NFLPA article. Some of the rookies wearing the Schutt F7 are Ja’Marr Chase, Kyle Pitts, and Najee Harris. The Schutt F7 is available from Schutt in different models ranging from $500-$1,000.
Cleats
Now, let’s move onto cleats. Football cleats come in all different shapes and sizes for different positions on the field. There are big, bulky ones built to support the lineman, lightweight, low-cut ones for the speedsters and then everything in between. Let’s take a look at what brands and models the Top 32 Draft Picks are wearing.
Nike | 75%
Nike remains King. Three quarters of the players drafted in the first round are wearing Nike cleats. Nike is one of the best in the game and one of the key factors is that they build cleats with the players in mind. They have three main lines of cleats, the Vapor line, built for “Skills”, the Alpha line, built for the “Big Skills” and the Savage line, built for the lineman. Let’s go through the most popular Nike cleat for each position group.
Devonta Smith wears the Nike Vapor Edge 360 Speed. Photo via PhiladelphiaEagles.com.
The most popular cleat among these thirty-two guys is the Nike Vapor Edge 360 Speed. This is Nike’s most affordable speed cleat and it’s very lightweight. The new “Edge” traction plate is one of the best in the biz. It features edge studs placed at the outermost points of your foot which allows guys to cut quickly and turn up field. These cleats are worn by Zach Wilson, Devonta Smith and you can grab a pair from Dicks for $95.
Micah Parsons wears the Nike Alpha Menace Elite 1. Photo via DallasCowboys.com.
The 2nd most popular Nike cleat amongst these guys, to my surprise, is the Nike Alpha Menace Elite 1. The Alpha Menace Elite 1 was initially dropped in 2017, yet 4 years later, these rookies are choosing to wear them. These cleats feature a flyknit upper and were the first cleats with the Alpha traction plate. This plate has long, triangle studs that grip very well into both grass and turf. One of the most underrated cleats ever, the Alpha Menace Elite 1 is getting the respect it deserves. Micah Parsons, Kwity Paye and Payton Turner are all rocking these cleats. They are pretty tough to find so I recommend checking Ebay.
Penei Sewell wearing the Nike Force Savage Pro 2. Photo via Sports Illustrated.
The 3rd most popular cleat is one for the lineman, the Nike Force Savage Pro 2. Four of the five offensive lineman taken in the first round are rocking this cleat. The Nike Force Savage Pro 2 is built for lineman. They are a high-top cleat with a strap, plenty of ankle support and a wide alpha traction plate. These are an amazing option for all lineman across all levels of football. Penei Sewell, Rashawn Slater, Alija Vera-Tucker and Christian Darrisaw all wear this cleat. You can purchase the Nike Force Savage Pro 2 from Eastbay for around $100.
Adidas | 19%
Adidas comes in second with 6 of the 32 first round draft picks wearing their cleats. All 6 players are officially signed with the Three Stripes and the 2 cleats worn by these are the Adidas Adizero 11.0 and the Adidas Freak Ultra 21.
Rashod Bateman wears the Adidas Adizero 11.0s. Photo via BaltimoreRavens.com.
The Adidas Adizero 11.0 is the most popular cleat among these Three Stripe athletes. The Adidas Adizero line is very light weight and catered towards skill players. For this years’ Adizero, Adidas updated the traction plate, using triangle studs instead of their usual circle studs. This helps players get in and out of cuts and get up field fast. Travis Eteinne, Kadarius Toney and Rashod Bateman are all wearing the Adidas Adizero 11.0. You can shop the Adizero 11.0 here.
Trevor Lawrence in the Adidas Freak Ultra 21. Photo via Jaguars.com, James Gilbert/2021
The other Adidas cleat is the Adidas Freak Ultra 21. Trevor Lawrence is the only 2021 First Round pick to be wearing these cleats. They’re pretty sweet though – they have a primeknit upper, an updated Freak traction plate and a Boost midsole. Check out Trevor’s pair here. Overall a great option for QBs or any other “Big Skill” player. You can shop the Adidas Freak Ultra Primeknit at Dicks Sporting Goods.
Jordan | 6%
Kyle Pitts wearing his Jordan 5 PE cleats. Photo via AtlantaFalcons.com.
Only 2 first round draft picks are wearing Jordan cleats – Kyle Pitts and Alex Leatherwood. Pitts is an official Jordan Brand athlete so he’s been in some Jordan 5 PEs while Leatherwood (not a Jordan athlete) has been wearing some Jordan 10s. Jordan 10s are becoming a very popular cleat among lineman because of their wide base and supportive ankle. You think Michael Jordan ever expected his kicks to be on the feet on NFL lineman? Anyway, you can shop the Jordan 10 cleats on StockX.
Gloves
In 2021, football gloves are basically part of the uniform. It’s very rare to see a player (that’s not a QB) not wearing any gloves. Gloves help players catch the ball, protect their hands and they just look cool. Let’s take a look at what this years’ first rounders are wearing on their hands.
Nike | 62%
So not only is Nike the most common cleat brand amongst these guys, they’re also the most popular glove brand. Twenty of the thirty-two 1st round picks are wearing Nike football gloves. There are two Nike gloves that nearly all 20 are wearing so let’s talk about em.
Jamar Chase wears the Nike Vapor Jet 6.0. Photo via Bengals.com.
The most popular glove is the Nike Vapor Jet. Of the 20 guys wearing Nike gloves, 12 of them are wearing either the Nike Vapor Jet 5.0 or the 6.0. The Vapor Jet line has been one of the most popular glove lines for over a decade. These gloves are affordable, comfortable and very sticky. When it comes to receiver gloves, these are top of the line. Ja’Marr Chase, Jaylen Waddle and Pat Surtain II are all wearing the Nike Vapor Jets. You can get your own in many colorways on DicksSportingGoods.com for $45.
Dovonta Smith wears the Nike Superbad 5.0. Photo via PhiladelphiaEagles.com.
The 2nd most popular glove is the Nike Superbad. These are Nike’s padded receiver glove and have been around just as long as the Vapor Jets. They offer amazing grip to help you catch passes and then little pads on the fingers to protect your hands. A super popular choice by wide receivers and lineman alike. Devonta Smith, Najee Harris and Penei Sewell all wear the Nike Superbad 5.0. You can shop for the Superbad 5.0 on Amazon or check out the new Superbad 6.0 at DicksSportingGoods.com.
No Gloves | 19%
As popular as gloves are in today’s NFL, not every player wears them. Of the thirty-two 1st rounders, 6 don’t wear any gloves – 5 of them QBs. The lone non-QB with no gloves is Cardinals LB, Zaven Collins. He wore gloves in college but hasn’t worn any so far through training camp. Maybe he’ll opt to wear them come gametime.
Adidas | 16%
Travis Etienne wearing the Adidas Adizero 8.0 Gloves. Photo via JV
Just like in the cleats section of this article, Adidas is second best. There are six first round draft picks wearing Adidas football gloves and each one is in the Adidas Adizero 11.0 (or a past model). These are Adidas’ main receiver glove line and this is the 10th version (They skipped the 9.0). They’re pretty lightweight, have solid grip and some of the best designs in the game. Kadarius Toney, Travis Etienne and Rashod Bateman are all wearing Adidas Adizeros. You can shop the Adidas Adizero 11.0 here.
Jordan | 3%
Kyle Pitts wears both the Jordan Vapor Jet 6.0 and Vapor Knit 3.0. Photo via AtlantaFalcons.com.
Of all thirty-two players, only 1 player wears Jordan football gloves; Kyle Pitts. Pitts is the only player (so far) to be signed with Jordan Brand. Jordan Brand athletes receive Nike football gloves, just rebranded with the Jumpman. Pretty simple technique but the swag is off the charts.
So there you have it, that is the most popular gear among the thirty-two 2021 first round draft picks. Just to recap, Riddell is dominating the helmet game and Nike is dominating both the cleat and glove game. We can’t wait to see what these rookies are capable of in the regular season!
The post What are the 2021 1st Round Draft Picks wearing? | Helmets, Cleats & Gloves appeared first on What Pros Wear.
