N.J. firm's foam pads tackle football market

EAST HANOVER, N.J. — NFL players stare in disbelief as Bob Broderick sticks his hand between a pair of XRD foam pads, then fullforce slams down a helmet. He doesn’t even wince, then takes his hand and shakes that of each player.

That scene has been repeated dozens of times by Broderick and Ted Monica, whose XTECH company manufactures and distributes the shoulder pad that just might become the rage throughout the league.

Just listen to New York Jets defensive tackle Steve McLendon.

“Oh man, do you believe that?” the 10-year veteran said of the slamming technique that might seem like a trick to some, but clearly is a great selling point for the pad that players using it can’t stop raving about.

“It’s an amazing product, very comfortable, especially for a D-lineman. It’s not bulky, gives you a free range of motion for the shoulders, the arms, the hands.

“It protects you everywhere, absorbs all the blows,” added McLendon, pointing to the upper body. “And it fits so well, there’s nothing for (blockers) to grab. I’ve worn other pads and felt banged-up in the shoulders every day. Not with these, there are none of those aches and pains.”

Recently — XTECH is in its sixth year — players such as McLendon have been spreading the word.

The entire unit is put together not in a huge facility the size of a football field, but in a warehouse perhaps the size of an end zone.

XTECH has an exclusive deal with XRD for using its pads in the NFL, college football and youth football.

The XTECH pads weigh from 3.5 pounds to 4.2 pounds, depending on size and options.

They begin at $425 before customizing.