NFL may have played its last Pro Bowl

[RockaFowler]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/04/26/nfl-may-have-played-its-last-pro-bowl/related/

The idea for getting rid of the Pro Bowl entirely has picked up steam in recent years, and Chris Mortensen reported on ESPN Radio this morning that there’s talk of suspending the Pro Bowl as soon as this year: There might not be a Pro Bowl at all at the end of this season.

It’s still possible that the NFL could try to revive the Pro Bowl by giving the players greater incentive to play and play hard, or by creating a gimmick like having a team of rookies play against a team of veterans, or turning away from having a full-fledged game and instead emphasizing skills competitions like other sports have in conjunction with their all-star games. But it’s clear that the Pro Bowl is, if not dead, at least on life support.

One of the surprising aspects of the Pro Bowl is that, for as bad a football game as it is, it still draws good television ratings and turns a profit. Given that, it may be tough to convince the owners — who will ultimately make this decision — that the game should be scrapped.


Should the NFL do away with the Pro Bowl

4 votes, 0 passes | Time left: Unlimited
	Yes
	3 (75%)
	No
	0 (0%)
	I Don't Care one way or the other
	1 (25%)
	0 DU members did not wish to select any of the options provided.
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[bluedigger]

1. It has become a poor exhibition for the NFL.

And puts players at unnecessary risk.

[trotsky]

2. This past one was the most embarrassing by far.

Just watching defenders get up from their stance and stand there. No effort to pursue or tackle whatsoever. And I can't blame them one bit, either.

[RockaFowler]

3. And look how many dropped out

[Iggo]

16. It's a fucking joke is what it is.

The NFL should never again show any footage of last season's game and the original and all copies should be burned.

That was disgraceful.

[joeybee12]

4. Can you include a "Thank you Jesus!!!!" option?

Although I'm sure the three viewers will be disappointed.

[RockaFowler]

8. I don't mind it

But last year's what just plain awful

[Renew Deal]

5. The game should be played AFTER the Super Bowl.

It makes no sense to play it before. Many of the best players can't play when it's before the Super Bowl. This year there was no Eli, Brady, and others.

Play it after and encourage both sides to go at it. Of course, I'm not sure how many players want Ray Lewis coming at them at full speed for an all star game.

The other leagues don't seem to worry about the un-seriousness of their games. I don't know why the NFL should be different.

[ScreamingMeemie]

10. There was no Aaron, you mean :D

There should be moderate compensation (50K to each of the players on the winning team) to at least make players want to play. Right now, there's nothing to get from it (unlike the home field advantage that the winning league gets for MLB All Star wins).

[Goblinmonger]

6. I think a skills "pro bowl" would be great

I'd watch that. Seeing the best compete at the skills of their position would be cool.

[bigwillq]

7. Yes, it should (nt)

[KamaAina]

9. It's such a great attraction for Hawai'i

which, of course, has no big-league sports of its own (though, believe it or not, Aloha Stadium was built with the promise of an MLB expansion team!). The state even kicked in $$$millions at one point to keep it from moving.

Aside: When the 2001 season was delayed after Nineleven(TM), the NFL faced a dilemma regarding the Super Bowl, because an auto dealers convention had already booked the Superdome for the new date. At the time (yes, I go back that far!), I pointed out that the NFL already had a stadium and hotel rooms booked for that week -- in Honolulu, for the Pro Bowl. Alas, the NFL apparently does not have any lurkers at DU , so they just paid the auto dealers off to switch their date.

[Serve The Servants]

11. Definitely, do away with it.

It's always been pointless and it went beyond pointless when they moved it to take place before the Superbowl.

Just retain the voting procedure, so we have an all-star selection process, but get rid of the game entirely.

[JonLP24]

12. If they want to make it exciting

Get rid of the rules that are designed in-theory to keep players safe.

Such as

No motion or shifting by the offense
Offense must have a tight end in all formations
Offense can’t have 3 receivers on a side
Intentional grounding is legal
Defense must run a 4-3 at all times
No press coverage except inside the 5 yard line
No blitz
Not allowed to rush a Punt, PAT or FG attempt

It makes it difficult for the defense so you get the high scores, it becomes one-sided quick if the other team doesn't keep up.

[Lugnut]

13. It's a poor excuse for a football game.

The Pro Bowl needs to go.

[MrSlayer]

14. It's supposed to be fun.

I don't hate the game. You're supposed to goof off and do things you normally wouldn't do in an all star game. I like all the laterals and trick plays and bombs.
Do you really want to see full on blitzes and dudes getting rocked in a game that is meaningless?
Actually I do but the players want no part of that and I'm sure the coaches don't either. It's an exhibition for the skill players. You have to take it for what it is.

If they are going to do away with the game they should at least replace it with a skills competition or something.

[JonLP24]

15. I agree

I only mentioned getting rid of the rules if they want to make the game exciting. I accept it for what it is and don't complain if it is a letdown.

I would rather see a game with real rules but don't care that they don't. Just saying if they wanted to make it more exciting...