As the Ravens take the field Thursday night for the preseason opener in Tampa Bay, they will also debut a tweak in their uniform design.
The change might go unnoticed to most fans, but the Ravens have slightly altered the collars on this year's jerseys.
Last year's uniforms, which were designed by Nike, featured the company's "flywire technology" around the collar. The flywire technology is designed to "eliminate layers, reduce weight and provide a lockdown fit." This look was visible because of the four seams that extended out from the NFL shield logo in the middle of the collar, and the black trim along the neck.
A close examination of this year's uniforms shows that the flywire look is now gone. * *
Now the Nike uniforms have a solid color along the collar, without the seams extending out from the NFL shield.
The new look is subtle, but some fans have already noticed the alteration.
Nike took over the production and design of NFL uniforms last season, and the sports apparel company has a 10-year contract with the NFL. Nike kept the same overall uniform design for the Ravens' three jerseys, maintaining the same purple, white and black alternate jerseys.
The Ravens will sport their purple jerseys – and their re-designed collars – for the preseason opener Thursday night.
Fans might also notice a few other differences in the jerseys this year, specifically in the numbers. Here are some of the number changes from last season:
- Rookie linebacker Arthur Brown is competing for a starting inside linebacker spot that opened up when Dannell Ellerbe went to Miami, and Brown has taken Ellerbe's old No. 59.
- Safety Omar Brown has switched from No. 38 to No. 31, which was Bernard Pollard's old number.
- Veteran Visanthe Shiancoe was given Anquan Boldin's No. 81.
- Surprise, surprise, nobody was assigned Nos. 52 or 20 this year.
