On Tuesday, Nike Football invited media, friends and players to Cowboy Stadium in Dallas for the unveiling of their latest product innovations for the field. Nike has typically led the pack in most aspects of sports and training and these two releases further the gap between the Swoosh and their competitors. The main focal points of the presentation were two key products – the Zoom Alpha Talon cleat & the ’11 Pro Combat uniforms.

The lightweight Talon cleat features probably one of the most amazing enhancements I’ve seen on footwear in years – retractable cleats, a feature that originally debuted with the Mercurial Vapor Superfly that every notable soccer star wore during the World Cup. Other highlights include the use of Flywire to make the shoe as secure and lightweight as possible without sacrificing performance as well as implementing Kevlar laces, Z-Bar technology and Defex padding.

The latest Pro Combat uniforms are aesthetically well-rounded and appealing, but it’s the gritty details in the makeup which make them stand above, incorporating technological twists that Vince Lombardi could have never imagined in his wildest dreams. Since they’re set to take over the contract as the NFL’s supplier in 2012, the release of the enhanced Pro Combat uniforms shows they’re preparing to wow athletes and fans alike.

Perhaps the most notable advance to catch my eye was the use, again, the use of Flywire to secure the jersey collar along the neck and across the upper chest. The results mean no more pads escaping after shirt-tugging tackle. Three elite football programs will debut the 2011 Nike Pro Combat System of Dress during bowl games including Boise State, Oregon and Florida while TCU will debut the new Air Zoom Alpha Talon cleat with a new version of their current 2010 Nike Pro Combat Uniform during their Rose Bowl appearance.

The tech specs and advancements on both the cleats and the uniforms are almost too endless to list but we’d be remiss to exclude any of the details. Read the press release below and prepare for the future of sports. We’ll be back with a full event recap with additional photos and video.

The Zoom Alpha Talon Cleat

Nike Football’s most advanced premium cleat ever, the Zoom Alpha Talon Cleat leverages the most innovative technologies to meet the performance needs of every position. Working with elite athletes, Nike designers delivered improved footing at full speed with an innovative on-demand, adaptive traction system. The interior cleats in the forefoot extend when full pressure is applied for more traction when needed and retract when not. The Air Zoom Alpha Talon cleat also features a Flywire upper for lightweight lockdown, a low-profile cushioning system for comfort, and Nike Pro Deflex padding around the ankle for breathable protection.

The 2011 Nike Pro Combat System of Dress

This redesigned base layer and uniform deliver the ultimate in breathable protection for superior speed. Nike designers strategically placed seams, pads and cooling zones to help minimize distraction, while optimizing protection.

The uniform design emphasizes thermoregulation by featuring Nike Pro Deflex padding with two-way airflow to cool the body and wick away sweat. The jerseys are made of four-way stretch woven twill that sheds moisture. A Flywire collar eliminates two layers of fabric for improved breathability, providing a more stable anchor to keep the jersey in place.

The uniform also provides enhanced protection throughout the crucial “hit zone”–between the knees and shoulders–delivering robust padding without the bulk. Nike Pro Deflex padding has also been integrated in the hip and knee areas of the pant for crucial impact protection that stays in place. The base layer now features customizable protection, incorporating a thin, incredibly strong carbon fiber plate that comes in two different sizes and can be placed where needed.