Today’s question about the Broncos comes from Shay Simms of St. Louis.
Q: Why is it that every time I see a TV close-up of wide receiver Brandon Marshall during a game, he has his glove straps loose? Not that it seems to affect his ability to catch the ball, but it seems odd to have the edges of the gloves loose around his wrists.
A: Every player in the NFL has his own way of going about getting all of the pieces of the uniform just so for game days. Some get the same ankle taped first, by a certain trainer and in a certain way. Some like a particular type of shoulder pads, perhaps a set they bring with them from team to team.
Gloves worn by receivers usually fit snugly — so snugly that some don’t pull the straps around their wrist. Marshall often wears his gloves without the straps around his wrists. You’re correct in that there are plenty of pictures and video of that.
Marshall and some other players fold the straps back on the Velcro, so the straps don’t flap. And some players tape their wrists once they put the gloves on.
If too much of the straps were flapping, an official would likely tell Marshall or any other player to fix it. Players are not supposed to have loose tape, etc., whipping around while they play. It’s all about safety, so a player isn’t hit in the eye by something or a player’s finger doesn’t get wrapped in something while making a tackle.
Injuries also come from a player getting his hand tangled in another player’s face mask, helmet ear hole or jersey.
Players can have towels in their waistbands. But the towels have to be a certain length — 6 inches by 8 inches is the rule. Players can be fined for not obeying that rule. NFL rules prohibit “torn or improperly fitting” equipment, so the straps on a glove can’t be flapping when the player wearing it is in the game.
Jeff Legwold: 303-954-2359 or jlegwold@denverpost.com
