No masking disappointment

Bill Belichick was back in the swing of things as he put his Patriots through practice on the second day of minicamp. (David Kamerman/Globe Staff)

FOXBOROUGH - With his blond Fu Manchu and single-bar facemask, Scott Player is one of the NFL's more distinguishable punters.

But 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.

Tank maneuvers
Rodney Harrison raved about new safety Tank Williams on the first day of minicamp, and on the second day, Williams showed why. The former Titan and Viking made the play of the day, coming up with a leaping interception of a Tom Brady pass intended for Kevin Faulk. The 6-foot-2-inch, 223-pound Williams shadowed the speedy Faulk on a wheel route, a sign of his versatility.

"He's been a real productive football player," said coach Bill Belichick of Williams, who started all 57 games he played for the Titans from 2002-05, before missing the 2006 season with a fractured left kneecap and returning with the Vikings in 2007, playing 13 games.

"We've taught him a lot of stuff," said Belichick. "We'll see how it all plays out. He's had to learn a lot of different responsibilities. I'm not sure exactly what that will be. He's done a good job. It shows he can handle a lot."

Pollard impresses
With the departure of Kyle Brady, and Benjamin Watson and David Thomas coming back from injuries, the Patriots have a need at tight end. Marcus Pollard could fill the void. The 14-year veteran made a nice touchdown catch during practice and has impressed Brady with his ability to grasp the offense.

That shouldn't come as a surprise since Pollard played for Mike Holmgren in Seattle last season and spent 10 seasons in Indianapolis.

"Marcus has done a great job coming in here and learning what we do," said Brady. "He's been [through] a couple of different offenses, but it seems like he's picked this one up pretty quickly.

"I think Marcus has been in some complex offenses. Just in the last few days he's really taken to this offense, and he's made a bunch of plays in these camps."

Imperfect 10
Ten players did not participate in yesterday's session. The only new addition to the inactives was Thomas. Watson, guard Stephen Neal, wide receivers Kelley Washington and Wes Welker, cornerback Ellis Hobbs, rookie linebacker Bo Ruud, defensive linemen Jarvis Green and Mike Wright, and newly signed offensive lineman Oliver Ross were held out for a second day . . . Belichick liked that yesterday's practice was held in steamy conditions, testing the players' conditioning and giving them a feel for what it will be like in training camp . . . The Patriots will close out minicamp today with an afternoon practice.