I was bored this afternoon and expanded on something that I had noticed with the Bucs long ago: Whenever a team makes a substantial change to its uniform or logo, it seems to follow with success.

Let's look at the exhibits:

New England Patriots (1993):

They ditched the Pat the Patriot logo and the bright red uniforms for that weird Pats logo and blue and silver. After being perennial cellar dwellers in the AFC East for five seasons, the Pats made their first playoff appearance in eight years in 1994, then made it to the Super Bowl in 1996. After a small lapse, they established themselves into the dynasty we are all familiar with—three Super Bowls in four years. Patriots have had only 2 losing seasons in the new uniforms.

Philadelphia Eagles (1996):

They tweaked their uniforms a bit--changed the color to midnight green and added texture to the wing helmet logo. It took a little while to kick in—following their inaugural year in midnight green, they suffered three straight losing seasons. However, the Birds have followed that up with five seasons of records no worse than 11-5, three NFC Championship appearances, and one Super Bowl appearance. Not too shabby at all.

Denver Broncos (1997):

Tossed the famous Orange Crush jerseys after suffering yet another heartbreaking playoff defeat against the Jaguars. With the navy-dominated outfits, the Broncos won seven straight playoff games in including, of course, two Super Bowls. Though the playoffs haven’t been as kind to the Broncos since then, they have managed to have only one losing season in this time.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1997):

Not only were those awful orange uniforms the laughingstock of the NFL, so were the Bucs—in their 21-year history with them they amassed only three playoff appearances, one playoff win, and a stunning fourteen straight losing seasons. Their first season in red and pewter, they broke that nasty streak. After missing the playoffs in 1998, they made them four years straight, including a Super Bowl victory.

New York Jets (1998):

They went back in time to the Namath era. It sure helped end a nasty streak of only one playoff appearance in eleven years. Their first season in the throwbacks was a 12-4 one, eventually losing the AFC Championship to the aforementioned Broncos. Since then, they have had only one losing season and three more playoff appearances.

Baltimore Ravens (1999):

Ditched the stupid winged shield logo and replaced it with that sleek-looking raven. They managed their first non-losing season with that logo, then next year—Super Bowl champions. Since then, they’ve been up and down, but have never been worse than they were before the logo change.

Tennessee Titans (1999):

They sent everything Oilers related off to the retirement home, and in this year, AFC championship. Since then, they have had three other great seasons, though danger may be down the road.

New York Giants (2000):

Like the Ravens, they simply changed their helmet logo. Like the Jets, they went back in history with the change. They won the NFC Championship this year, of course.

St. Louis Rams (2000):

Replaced the yellow with that dirty gold color. One of the few teams whose winning quality actually went down. However, it went down ever so slightly—four playoff appearances in five years, including one more NFC Championship.

Seattle Seahawks (2002):

Switched to the dark teal instead of the bright blue. After one more mediocre season to add to a streak of one playoff appearance in fourteen years, they have followed it up with two playoff appearances in a row. Can they build upon that momentum?

And, can other teams keep this trend in general going? The pressure is now on the Bills, Falcons, and Bengals to perform!

The Cowboys will never change their unis... does that mean they'll never win again?

Don't forget the 49ers when they wore the 75th anniversary jerseys for the whole season, unlike most teams who only wore them for a couple of games. And they rolled in the super bowl. If the chargers would have worn their powder blue maybe it would have been a closer game

New England Patriots (1993):
I think they changed their uniforms about 5 times between 1993 and their current incarnation. Good unis.

Philadelphia Eagles (1996):
Probably in the top 5 of best uniforms in the league.

Denver Broncos (1997):
New unis look decent, but they should go back to the orange crush.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1997):
Good choice, but that bright orange was pretty cool/unique.

New York Jets (1998):
Great uniforms, great choice. Also in the top 5 for best unis.

Baltimore Ravens (1999):
Not bad, changing the helmet logo was a good idea. They need to get rid of the black pants.

Tennessee Titans (1999):
Probably tied for the worst uniforms in the league with the Bengals. They look like something you'd wear to a gay pride parade.

New York Giants (2000):
New logo much better. Old school is where it's at.

St. Louis Rams (2000):
Team that most needed a change before they did so in 2000.

Seattle Seahawks (2002):
I'm sorry, but the matching pants/jersey just looks awful. I don't understand why teams do this (including the Bills). I think it looks bush league.

And, can other teams keep this trend in general going? The pressure is now on the Bills, Falcons, and Bengals to perform!

I loathe the new Bills unis. Both the Bills and Sabres need to go back to their previous uniforms.

I like the Bills home (all dark navy blue) uniforms a lot better than the old...but the road are HORRIBLE.

As for the Sabres, I could never understand that goats-head thing that's on their jerseys.

I loved Tampa Bays orange jerseys and old logo. I have 3 boxes in my basement filled with stuff that bears the old logo/colors.

The Patriots have the best uni's in the league right now.

It makes about as much sense as a buffalo being on the Bills helmets.

This is what they should be:

Steelers = Best Uniforms Of All Sports.


Period.


[/end thread]

Goddamn you.

no way on the Rams....although I LOVE the new rams head logo, the team won the super bowl with their Blue/yellow unis and that uniform with the horns on the shoulders were one of the best and most identifyable uniforms in nfl history.

the Rams were also the very first team to use logos on their helmets i THINK beginning in the 40s or 50s when a team member painted gold horns on his helmet. then some of his teammates...then the league got going on it too

You know I'm right.

The Seahags unis are putrid. what the fuck is up with the neon green piping? And changing your logo so it has a more "mean look" to it is stupid....the Cardinals just changed their logo...all they did was but a scowl on the bird.....they need to dump the white helmets and go with black or that cardinal red....those white helmets looks just dont work for some reason

the dolphins orange unis are cool, too.

those nasty fins orange jerseys? really? you like those things?

i hate when they wear those. nothing beats the dolphins teal jerseys i love those things

there's a writer on NFL.com who refers to the Titans as the Flaming Thumbtacks.

Is that writer supposed to think that's insulting?

That's almost as funny as someone calling me a cracker.

Cracker.


I think that the Arizona unis are the best ones in the league.
Their color scheme is unique, the look is classic, it's too bad the team stinks.

i hope the niners change their uniforms ASAP

Why?

heh, c'mon nick, pay attention. he's probably a niners fan