Last week I watched the Pro Bowl. I'm sure many of us did, only to be disappointed by the soft tackles and lack of intensity that one would normally expect from most regular or post-season games and even the Super Bowl.
Over the years the Pro Bowl has lost its meaning not just to fans but also to players. A staggering 36 of the 86 players originally bestowed with the honour to represent Team Rice and Team Irvin, dropped out. Excuses ranged from needing to prepare for Super Bowl appearances to players just wanting to recover from a grueling season and play-off campaign. So, with the Pro Bowl being so soon after the play-offs and so close to the Super Bowl, it just isn't a priority anymore.
Moreover, rule changes including: no blitzing, allowing intentional grounding and no kick-offs further damage the game's potential for excitement. As a result, the chances of a huge kick-off return or a huge sack on the QB are basically eliminated. Mainly, these rule changes are enforced to prevent players from being injured.
Should the Pro Bowl be removed?
I say yes. Why? There's nothing to play for (other than the fat pay cheque). Therefore, to a player, it's not worth risking an injury for and the result is a very, very disappointing game of Football.
The solution? Here are a few of my ideas.
I saw a 'the Score' article recently and one suggestion was to make the two lowest ranking teams in the league compete for the top draft pick by Caitlyn Holroyd. Personally I would love to see Cleveland and Tennessee play for the top pick. Cleveland, particularly, are in desperate need of a potential franchise Quarterback. This is due to Johnny Manziel being practically useless since being drafted in 2014 and an ageing McCown being only a temporary solution. While Tennessee drafted Marcus Mariota, who showed masses of potential this season, the team could still use a top draft pick to select a viable downfield threat for him to target.
Both teams need the draft pick. So, both teams, in theory, should play a good old, hard-hitting, no holds barred game of Football.
Another possibility is an undrafted free-agent bowl or off-season tournament. Who would coach them? Perhaps ex-college and free-agent coaches (if that's even a thing) or Hall Of Famers. Who would want to watch free agents play football? I don't know. But I do know those guys would play their hearts out to be noticed, to stand out and to create an opportunity for themselves to make it into the NFL. I believe that would make for a seriously intense game of Football.
Finally, perhaps the Pro Bowl could be replaced with a skill competition, similar to the NBA's dunk contest. I can see a one handed catch competition going down well with the fans, given players like Landry, Odell and even J.J Watt helped to popularise it.
Personally, I'd love to see a WR-CB king of the hill, one on one challenge with the last WR and CB standing being the winners. Some players are quick to claim to be the best at their position and this could be the perfect way to prove it. Imagine the likes of: Darelle Revis, Richard Sherman and Josh Norman matched up against players like Julio Jones, Antonio Brown or DeAndre Hopkins. No distractions. No external interferences. Just the Quarterback, Defensive Back, Receiver and the open field. It would be a beautiful thing to see.
I'm not sure about what could be arranged for Linebackers and Linemen but maybe a gauntlet against the leagues top Running Backs could be a possibility. Be sure to give the winner of the event a fat pay cheque and a shiney trophy and I'm confident players will want to participate. Particularly, when the low threat of injury is also considered.
Overall, Roger Goodell himself has voiced his dissatisfaction with the performance in the Pro Bowl saying, "I'm not gonna speculate on where the Pro Bowl is going but I was disappointed in what I saw on Sunday." His words reflect the feelings of many Football Fans everywhere, so it's safe to say the Pro Bowl's format and existence will be called into question in the near future. Until then, the ideas previously mentioned in this post are just some of the many possibilities the NFL could use to replace the Pro Bowl, which is currently undergoing a slow, agonizing death.
It was a pleasure being read by you, read me again sometime.
Picture Credits:
https://cbsla.files.wordpress.com/2015/11/gettyimages-465337171.jpg?w=640&h=360&crop=1
http://centrio.jehzeellaurente.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/pro-bowl-2016.jpg
References:
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000632968/article/goodell-pro-bowl-may-not-continue-in-current-format
http://www.theroar.com.au/2016/01/31/nfl-pro-bowl-lost-prestige/
http://www.thescore.com/author/caitlyn-holroyd (I couldn't find an exact link to the article)
