GLENDALE -- Stephen Neal, the Patriots' starting right guard, was sporting a flowing moustache that extended down to his chin at Media Day.

"I'm trying to do something to take attention away from my belly," he joked.

"I'd rather have people look at this (pointing to his moustache), instead of this (pointing to his bulging waistline.)

Neal, who did not play college football -- he was a standout wrestler at Cal State-Bakersfield -- is 6-foot-4 and weighs 305 pounds.

Bothered by a shoulder injury, he started just eight regular season games, but has returned to the lineup in the postseason, helping to clear the way for Laurence Maroney to rush for 122 yards against both the Jaguars and Chargers.