In what seems to be a pointless and meaningless game, the NFL restructured the set up and created a format that is almost enjoyable. Almost! Moving the game to the mainland was a excellent idea, the game was watched more than the Miss Universe Pageant Sunday evening meaning that the NFL may have saved what used to be a meaningless game of propaganda.
Having placed the Hall of Fame players as the Captains of the teams with no affiliation to NFC or AFC, the players are drafted. Michael Irvin and Cris Carter led the Pro Bowl Teams. Irvin chose the Dallas Cowboys staff to lead the Irvin team and Carter chose the Baltimore Raven staff to lead his team.
What made this game better than years past? In Hawaii, the Pro Bowl was losing steam, literally there was not enough coal to keep the engine running. More and more players were choosing to opt out of taking the trip, while less and less people in Hawaii where filling the stands. The NFL found themselves in a predicament, what will make this game meaningful? Last year, the NFL deconstructed and started from the ground floor to repair the game. The teams are now led by former NFL Players who are in the Hall of fame. The Hall of Fame gave them immediate respect and to be chosen by that player left a responsibility to play hard. That and $55,000 to the each member of the winning team, $27,000 for losing. Not a bad proposition for a half-assed played football game. The next thing that gave this years game some legitimate consideration was the fact that it was played at the Super – Bowl venue, brilliant move by the NFL. The University of Phoenix Stadium was filled to capacity. A week before the super bowl is played, the individuals who otherwise could not afford to pay the ridiculous price for a super bowl, embellished a little and created a game like atmosphere with every team represented.
It is my opinion that the NFL should create a pro bowl game worth playing. Using the MLB format, the NFL could play the game at the end of the season like normal. NFC against AFC, the winner of the game will host the Superbowl by prospective conference winners, for example, if the NFC won the Pro Bowl from the previous year then this years super bowl would be played at that home venue. Essentially giving Seattle a home Super Bowl game or vice verses with New England. You might be thinking, “This is an unfair format, giving the winning conference a super bowl home game.” My response, “It can’t get any worse.” The pro bowl would be relevant and exciting, plus the fans favorite team just might get the opportunity to host a super bowl game at their home venue. Will it ever happen? Probably not! Something has to change, it would be really cool to see all that talent on the field play 100%.
In the mean time, we are stuck with the field goal post being moved in 4 ft and the change of possessions at the end of the 1st and 3rd quarters, no blitzing, no dime or nickel packages, a running back and tight end on the field at all times, and a partridge in a pear tree.
Tell me, how would you make the pro bowl better?
on Twitter: @jtgoodson
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