AzWins23
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http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/articles/2008/06/08/no_masking_disappointment/
FOXBOROUGH - With his blond Fu Manchu and single-bar facemask, Scott Player is one of the NFL's more distinguishable punters.
more stories like thisBut as the 38-year-old Player attempts to hook on with the Patriots, competing against incumbent Chris Hanson, he's been forced to change his look. The Fu Manchu is still there, but the single-bar facemask is not.
"I've been told it's been outlawed," Player said after yesterday's minicamp practice.
Player, who punted for the Cardinals from 1998-2006 and for the Browns in three games last season as an emergency replacement, has long preferred the single-bar facemask. When he entered the league, wearing the single-bar was legal, and it was the choice of other punters and placekickers, such as Gary Anderson and former Patriot Matt Bahr.
The NFL later barred the single-bar facemask, but since Player was already in the league, he said, he was given special consideration to continue wearing it. So when he signed with the Browns last year, Player brought his single-bar facemask and had Cleveland's equipment staff fasten it onto his helmet. He did the same thing this year with the Patriots, but was told "just a few days ago" that league rules have changed.
Punting with a full facemask has been a challenge for Player. "Where I hold the ball at, now the facemask is in the way," he said. "So I'm kind of having to alter my drop a little bit."
Citing safety, league spokesman Greg Aiello explained yesterday that Player can still wear a single-bar facemask, but it must be secured on the helmet with at least two screws on each side as required by manufacturer's warranty.
With Cleveland, the bar was fastened to the helmet with one screw on each side, allowing it to swivel up and down. In a game against the Patriots last season, Player moved the bar under his chin before he received a snap and punted. After the punt, he put the bar back into place, in front of his mouth, to join the coverage team.
With two screws on each side, it would no longer swivel.
FOXBOROUGH - With his blond Fu Manchu and single-bar facemask, Scott Player is one of the NFL's more distinguishable punters.
more stories like thisBut as the 38-year-old Player attempts to hook on with the Patriots, competing against incumbent Chris Hanson, he's been forced to change his look. The Fu Manchu is still there, but the single-bar facemask is not.
"I've been told it's been outlawed," Player said after yesterday's minicamp practice.
Player, who punted for the Cardinals from 1998-2006 and for the Browns in three games last season as an emergency replacement, has long preferred the single-bar facemask. When he entered the league, wearing the single-bar was legal, and it was the choice of other punters and placekickers, such as Gary Anderson and former Patriot Matt Bahr.
The NFL later barred the single-bar facemask, but since Player was already in the league, he said, he was given special consideration to continue wearing it. So when he signed with the Browns last year, Player brought his single-bar facemask and had Cleveland's equipment staff fasten it onto his helmet. He did the same thing this year with the Patriots, but was told "just a few days ago" that league rules have changed.
Punting with a full facemask has been a challenge for Player. "Where I hold the ball at, now the facemask is in the way," he said. "So I'm kind of having to alter my drop a little bit."
Citing safety, league spokesman Greg Aiello explained yesterday that Player can still wear a single-bar facemask, but it must be secured on the helmet with at least two screws on each side as required by manufacturer's warranty.
With Cleveland, the bar was fastened to the helmet with one screw on each side, allowing it to swivel up and down. In a game against the Patriots last season, Player moved the bar under his chin before he received a snap and punted. After the punt, he put the bar back into place, in front of his mouth, to join the coverage team.
With two screws on each side, it would no longer swivel.
Yea right join the coverage team on the sidelines maybe.
