The NFC East is often labeled ‘NFC Beast’ because it’s arguably one of the toughest divisions in the National Football League. The group of teams that include: the Dallas Cowboys, Washington Redskins, New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles – pack some of the league’s best at various skill positions. But more so than anything, these teams are historically known for their pass rushers. They are the true beasts of the division, and if recent events indicate that, the terrifying Quarterback hunters have taken that tag to heart. Or their helmets…
Last summer, Giants’ defensive end Justin Tuck decided to switch up the look of his face-mask. Tuck switched to a mask with 12 diagonal bars and five horizontal.
“You see the old school trains, the grilles on the old school trains,” he said after the final minicamp practice last summer. “That’s what I was going for.”
“The idea is he doesn’t want to get grabbed,” said Giants’ equipment director Joe Skiba. Skiba believes all defensive linemen should have different cages. It gives each individual their own look and attitude. “Everybody is like, ‘Can I get that facemask?’ No, it’s exclusive to me, no one else can have it,” Tuck said. “But it’s a copycat league in everything people do so I wouldn’t be surprised if there are a few of those floating around before we play.”
Turns out, Tuck was correct. Copycat or not, his division foes have decided to create their own cage-look.
Dallas Cowboys’ top pass rusher DeMarcus Ware changed up his look this off-season.
“Getting my armor ready for the season,” Ware wrote on Facebook. “Will be suited up for battle!”
Ware will make the transition to a 4-3, hand in the dirt, defensive end. After playing outside linebacker for 8-years, Ware has switched up his face mask to help prevent opposing linemen from sticking their fingers his face.
Washington Redskins’ 5-tech Stephen Bowen went with a new look last summer too.
“Just wanted a little bit of a change up,” Bowen said. “It looks cool.”
Bowen went on to say that the cage protects his face, thanks to the extra bars. “My teammates say I look crazy with it. I said ‘that’s a good thing.’” But this summer, Bowen is taking his cage to the next level.
“Had to switch it up on em,” Bowen said via Twitter. 
From the looks of it, the bars remain consistent with last year’s – 6 horizontal and 3 vertical. However, Bowen added the tinted visor, which typically isn’t permitted without a doctor’s approval for medical issues. The league has discussed loosening their grip on the some uniform rules, including alternate uni’s.
So out popped this:
IM BAAAACKKKKK…..RedskinNation StandUp #HTTR twitter.com/rak98/status/3…
— Brian Orakpo (@rak98) May 21, 2013
Yes, that is Redskins’ Brian Orakpo, who quite possibly is most physically imposing of the bunch. Rak went with a cage similar to Bowen’s, except more compact for linebackers. He will also rock the tinted look, as he prepares to reek-havoc after being out of football for a year. Orakpo tore his left pectoral muscle early last season and is ready to come back bigger and better than ever.
