Some players trying out helmet that helps curb concussions

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. — Inside linebacker Brian Cushing is among some Texans wearing the new Vicis Zero1 helmet that’s designed to keep players from suffering concussions.

“There are advances in technology and awareness every year of trying to prevent (concussions) as much as possible,” Cushing said. “There’s been (improvement) by leaps and bounds, and they’ve really established themselves as (having) a good helmet. I was pleasantly surprised with it.”

Vicis says the Zero1’s “multiple layers work together to slow impact forces. The helmet features a soft outer shell and an underlying layer of columns designed to mitigate collisions from multiple directions.”

Cushing, 30, wears the helmet in preseason games as well as practice.

“The helmet I’ve been wearing scored the best (in tests),” Cushing said. “Obviously, you want to be as safe as you can possibly be on the field.

“It’s football, and nothing’s guaranteed, but we want to play with the best equipment possible.”

General manager Rick Smith explained why Cushing, inside linebacker Benardrick McKinney, outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney, free safety Andre Hal and running back Lamar Miller elected to wear the Vicis Zero1 helmet.

“As a league, we’re focusing on safety,” Smith said. “We’ve put a lot of money into research and development, and helmet technology is one of those areas.

“The Vicis helmet is the product of some of that research. It has been the highest-tested helmet of all the helmets being used. It defuses the impact by spreading the impact across the helmet. It’s available to anybody who wants to wear it.

“Helmets are like other pieces of equipment in that they’re specific to the player and what he’s comfortable with. It’s a very comfortable helmet, and it’s a safe helmet. As the word spreads, I think you’ll see more players using it.”

O’Brien unhappy with the offense

At one point during Saturday’s practice, coach Bill O’Brien wasn’t happy with his offense.

He stopped practice, chewed out the offensive players and made them run a lap around the field. O’Brien ran, too.

“Offensively, we didn’t have a good day today, so we have to pick it back up on Monday,” O’Brien said. “(The) defense came out flying, so we have to pick it up offensively. We’ve had a good camp offensively, but today wasn’t one of our better days.”

Because the defense finished first in the NFL last season and might have the league’s best front seven, it makes sense that side of the ball would dominate.

“Oh, I don’t know,” O’Brien said when asked if the defense was responsible for the poor offensive performance. “I’m not looking too deep into it.

“It’s the 12th training camp practice. It happens. We’ve had our days, too, where the defense hasn’t had the best of days.”

John McClain