Now, a more specialized af2 game; 'Quest coach likes new rule allowing one-way players.(Sports)

Byline: MARK SINGELAIS - Staff Writer

ALBANY - Albany Conquest coach Pete Costanza was skeptical when he learned they were taking the iron out of ironman football.

The Arena Football League and its offshoot, arenafootball2, made a rule change this season that largely phases out the two-way players who made the sport a unique throwback since its inception in 1987.

Now teams are allowed to substitute without restriction, which reduces the need for anyone to play both offense and defense. It's a more specialized game now, much like the NFL.

"Your kind of knee-jerk reaction was, 'Well, it's going to take away from the nuances of the game and …