I have watched him play for his entire career and though I can't remember when he started wearing the oversized chinstrap with the extra padding, I can say that I believe the NFL should look into the reasons behind wearing it if it should be banned.
Ok, before getting all nasty hear me out.
If that chinstrap and the extra padding is not there because of an old injury (broken jaw, concussions) then you have to wonder why he wears it other than it allows he to go more helmet to helmet than a normal chin strap would. Dawkins is known as a fierce hitter but over the last 5 years his hits to the head (even as a player is going to the ground), have increased dramatically. Right now he has exceeded Rodney Harrison as the cheap shot artist of the NFL and the NFL's most dirtiest player.
That chinstrap is padded heavily allowing for more helmet to helmet contact for Dawkins while keeping the face mask, chin and overall head of his protected far more than the players he is hitting. Would he be so daring if he didn't have that extra piece of padding and protection?
I would take him on my team any day.
He seems to always be either jumping a route on a poorly thrown ball or laying back and waiting to blindside someone, like he'd rather give up a ten yard reception but make a big hit than actually disrupt a reception. I can't say I've seen him cover tight ends or backs particularly well, or make a heads-up tackle against someone coming right at him.
I don't know, but he seems pretty overrated to me.
He seems to always be either jumping a route on a poorly thrown ball or laying back and waiting to blindside someone, like he'd rather give up a ten yard reception but make a big hit than actually disrupt a reception. I can't say I've seen him cover tight ends or backs particularly well, or make a heads-up tackle against someone coming right at him.
I don't know, but he seems pretty overrated to me.
The chinstrap is likely allowed by NFL standards, available to any player, and does not likely have much effect on his play.
A lof of NFL players do it including Lito Sheppard and Sheldon Brown as well.
Here is the example:
Link - ( New Window )
Glad you aren't the Giants GM.