New York Jets coach Robert Saleh says he is involved over use of latest protecting helmet shells

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — New York Jets coach Robert Saleh expressed concern over the brand new Guardian Cap, saying the protecting shells are inflicting gamers to make use of their helmets greater than traditional — and he’s nervous in regards to the potential results when they’re eliminated later within the preseason.

“I believe the spirit of all of it is admittedly good. It is received nice advantages … however I do assume there is a steadiness in every little thing, proper?” Saleh mentioned Saturday after follow. “An excessive amount of of something is a foul factor.

“I do assume due to the tender blow, it is sort of lending the gamers to make use of their heads a bit bit extra. I do assume the primary time after they take it off — anyone who has performed soccer is aware of the primary time you are taking your helmet off otherwise you hit with the helmet or you’ve gotten a collision, there is a shock. I do assume that should you’re ready till the primary sport for that shock to occur … I do not know, time will inform. It is simply attention-grabbing with these Guardian Caps and what precisely are we attempting to perform.”

Offensive and defensive linemen, tight ends and linebackers are required to put on the cap by means of the week of the second preseason sport. The cap offers a tender, padded outer shell for the helmet. The NFL’s aim is to curb the concussion fee. Saleh mentioned he is involved.

“I’m as a result of I believe there’s an acclimation interval that’s wanted for precise pads for what they’re really going to make use of within the sport,” he mentioned. “So should you’re ready till the sport to truly really feel that, I believe it is simply going to be attention-grabbing to see what kind of suggestions we get from gamers.”

Dr. Allen Sills, the NFL’s chief medical officer, mentioned in an announcement: “The mind doesn’t acclimate to go impacts. The Guardian Cap helps mitigate these forces at a time of the season once we see the best focus of them.”

No Jets participant has complained publicly in regards to the cap. The overall feeling is that it simply takes a while to get accustomed to them.

“It feels just a bit bit heavier,” defensive finish Jermaine Johnson mentioned. “You are feeling sort of bobbleheady. It isn’t too unhealthy. As a defensive lineman, we come out and we strike with our arms anyway.”