One of the advances is a larger "stand-off," or the space between the helmet shell and the players' head. It allows for more padding.
Schutt and other manufacturers have also made innovations in padding and its placement inside helmets.
Beckmann said Schutt now uses thermo-plastic urethane (TPU) cushioning instead of the foam seen in many helmets. The padding has numerous hemispheres cut into the cushioning, which, Beckmann said, help spread out impacts and better absorb blows.
When Brian Westbrook had concussion problems last year, Schutt provided a helmet with the new padding and a larger stand-off, Beckmann said.
But players can choose the helmet they wear, and many have forgone newer models.
Personal comfort is an obvious factor. Beckmann said some players are superstitious and don't want to change. And for the larger stand-off helmets, many use a "mirror test," he said.
"The first thing [players] do is they go look and see what it looks like in the mirror," Beckmann said. The top complaint about larger helmets is that players think it makes their heads look big.
"They don't like the way it looks, so they won't wear it," he said.
Of course, even a bigger helmet can't stop concussions. Linebacker Stewart Bradley was wearing a Riddell helmet with a newer, larger stand-off when he suffered a concussion Sunday, Beckmann said.
"There is no such thing as a concussion-proof helmet," Beckmann said. "We're all aiming for that goal, but we can't build one, and no one can."
Contact staff writer Jonathan Tamari at 215-854-5214 or jtamari@phillynews.com.
