From Pro Bowl to Blow Bowl? (It's a tounge twister)

This year’s Pro Bowl has sparked more controversy and debate than any Pro Bowl in history.  For one, the game is not being played in Hawaii. This year it has been moved to the Super Bowl site in Miami.  The game is also being played the week before the Super Bowl which eliminates any of the Super Bowl participants from the game.  This year has also seen an astounding number of opt-outs for the Pro Bowl which has resulted in an astounding number of Pro Bowl alternates.  Some of the positions are going as far as seven deep.  To give you an idea of how ridiculous this situation has gotten, Vince Young  and David Garrard are going to the Pro Bowl this year.  They both had okay seasons but not Pro Bowl seasons.  Vince Young didn’t even start until week 6.  Garrard had one of his worst seasons statistically, but when 5 people in front of you pull out of the game then it shows you how watered down the quarterback position is.  On the other side of the coin, well deserving players like Cedric Benson and Thomas Jones  are still being snubbed for a Pro Bowl spot.  And that’s just the AFC!  There has to be some way to remedy this situation, and I think that I have a couple of ideas that could revamp the Pro Bowl.

Less QBs, more RBs

It really just makes sense.  No teams carry 3 quarterbacks on their game day roster so why would you have 3 in the Pro Bowl? You only need two of them, one for the first half of the game and one for the second half.  This would make the spots more coveted and you would have less guys pulling out.  And it also makes sense to add a running back to the mix.  Ultimately these guys will be taking the most punishment out of everyone on the field so you may as well have 4 of them, one for each quarter.  Under this format we would get to see Chris Johnson, Maurice Jones-Drew, Ray Rice and Cedric Benson all on the same field.  I’d much rather see these guys than David Garrard and Vince Young.

Rookie-Sophomore Challenge!

The NFL should take a page out of the NBA’s book and put this game on for the fans and for its young players.  Even though it would be an exhibition game, you know that all of those young guys want to prove themselves to one another and gain some bragging rights.  There would certainly be a lot more hitting in the game than there would be in the veteran game.  The fans will get to see some lesser known players and the rookies can gain some confidence from competing in a less intense environment against their peers.  The draft classes will also begin to develop a bond the way they do in the NBA.  These young guys can use all of the support they can get and I think that this would be a good investment in the NFL’s future.

More individual competitions

Whatever happened to the quarterback challenge?  I know they show it during the off-season, but why?  They should show that the day before the Pro Bowl along with the Rook-Soph game.  It would be just another opportunity to show these guys’ skills and personalities.  It would be really interesting to see how these guys interact with each other in this setting.  They should also bring back the NFL’s fastest man competition and a variety of other drills (including the Madden Challenge) that could make the Pro Bowl more inclusive without actually adding a bunch of extra Pro Bowlers.  It would make it more fun and more players would be inclined to actually show up.  Oh and let’s get rid of these stupid kicker competitions.  After this year, I think we can all finally agree that kickers suck. 

Hello Honolulu

I understand that Hawaii is clear on the other side of the world, but I don’t recall so many players passing up an opportunity for an all expense paid vacation to paradise.  I mean, Miami is lovely, but Hawaii is the ultimate getaway.  Players get to escape from all the crazy fans on the mainland and get a heroes welcome in Miami.  They don’t even boo in Honolulu!  I also think Miami presents too many distractions and too many potential issues.  The nightlife and the atmosphere in Miami present a lot of opportunities for scandal and trouble (knock on wood) and it would suck if you’re favorite player got himself into trouble because of all of the temptation in Miami.  I understand that having the game closer will make it more accessible to U.S. fans but I say keep the game in Honolulu as a reward the players for their excellence. 

No play, no pay

Unless you are a Super Bowl participant you should not still receive recognition and bonus money after pulling out of the Pro Bowl.  If you are injured, then simply gracefully bow out and let the next man come in and take your spot.  You shouldn’t get all of the accolades of a Pro Bowler without playing in the game.  That’s what the All Pro team is for.  I don’t want to see 250 guys a year with a Pro Bowl designation.  If you don’t play in the game then you shouldn’t be considered a Pro Bowler.  If a guy goes on I.R. aren’t they taken off the ballot?  Not only is this in the interest of the fans, but it’s also in the interest in the NFL.  How much extra revenue is Roger Goodell losing by paying 12 “Pro Bowl” quarterbacks?

Keep it before the big game

The one positive change to the Pro Bowl is the time slot between the championship games and the Super Bowl.  It’s just not fair to make us wait a whole two weeks before we see pro football again.  Give us one last opportunity to see our favorite players before the big game.  This could be the appetizer before the main course.  There also isn’t as long of a grace period between the end of the season and the Pro Bowl.  Guys that were eliminated from the playoffs used to have a whole month off before they would see the field again.  This format will allow them to get a break without getting too comfortable. 

Some people are saying that the Pro Bowl should just be eliminated because it is meaningless but I disagree.  The Pro Bowl is a timeless tradition and it’s an opportunity to see the lighter side of some of your favorite professional players.  It’s not much more than an over-hyped practice, but wouldn’t you pay to see Michael Jordan, Wayne Gretzky and Barry Sanders practice?  There is still potential for big plays and excitement, but the league does need to tweak some things to make it a little more exciting (Lingerie Bowl anyone?)