The NFL Pro Bowl

January 31, 2011

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This is a list of the things I like and do not like about the NFL Pro-Bowl.

I do not like that it is the week before the Super Bowl. We already have reduced participation due to some of the higher paid players concern about injury, now we have the Super Bowl participants opting out.

I like that the game is in Hawaii again. I thought that it was actually rather cruel last year when the players went to the Super Bowl City. The celebration of their skills that earned them spots on the Pro-Bowl roster was overwhelmed by Super Bowl questions, including “how do you feel about not being in the Super Bowl?” This is supposed to be a reward for being the best players in the league. Having the game in Hawaii lets these players celebrate with their families and friends.

I do not like that the only impact of the game is deciding which team is the “home” team in the Super Bowl next year. I would like it to determine where the Super Bowl is played. Rather than “awarding” the Super Bowl to a city, almost always in a warm climate or dome, let the Pro-Bowl determine what stadium the Super Bowl is played in. The conference champion of the winning side of the Pro-Bowl should host the Super Bowl. Then we could have some real games, maybe in Chicago or New England. Yeah I have heard all the arguments against cold weather venues, are we playing football here or tennis?

I do like that the coaches actually get almost every player some face time and the announcers have all the statistical sheets to brag about these guys. Some of them come from pretty bad teams and do not get the recognition that they should.

I do not like that the players don’t even try on some plays. I know that this is an exhibition game and no one wants to get hurt, so yes hold up on some of the hits once you have someone stopped. The thing I object to is that for field goals and extra points, everyone just stands up and waits for the kicker to kick the ball.

I do like the kick off plays. These are the only plays that everyone seems to be having fun. No one is hitting too hard and everyone is running around showing how much fun they are having.

My preference, if the commissioner reads this post, is to return to the old format. Play the game in Hawaii the week after the Super Bowl. The only thing I would suggest as an adder would be to have the all star cheer leaders there as well. And for Fox Sports, more focus on the beautiful people in the stands.

3 Comments (+add yours?)

  1. kosmo
    Jan 31, 2011 @ 10:14:26

    The only problem with having the Pro Bowl determine the location of the Super Bowl is that traditionally, a lot of these game tickets have been purchased far in advance and accomodations have been arranged. The is partially due to the corporate nature of the ticket sales. Forcing people to make arrangements at the last minute would change the whole dynamic of the Super Bowl.

    Of course,you might see the current setup (with few tickets going to locals who are actually fans of the team) as a problem 🙂

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  2. Martin Kelly
    Feb 03, 2011 @ 09:38:25

    I deffinately want to change that “tradition”. Giving the corporate entities the leg up on buying blocks of tickets, then reselling them at up to $4500 prevents real fans of the teams that are playing from seeing the game live. Two weeks should be enough time to get your arrangements together if you actually want to see the game. I want to move the Super Bowl back to being about the game and the eventual champion rather than being a social event centered on an extended half time show.

    I guess I am just a purist. I liked the pre1980 games where high school bands from the two cities representing the teams did the half time show and pregame entertainment. The half time was just like a normal game. The people in the stands paid normal prices and decided to go just a couple of weeks before the game. Most of the fans were fans of the teams playing, not going to be seen by other people, but actually to watch the game.

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  3. kosmo
    Feb 03, 2011 @ 10:53:18

    I think the NFL does this to maximize profits as well as well as ensuring a sellout.

    Let’s look at a worst case scenario. Arizona plays Buffalo in the Super Bowl. The AFC wins the Pro Bowl, setting the location for the Super Bowl in Buffalo. The organizers now have 1 week (NOT 2) to sell the tickets to fans of the two teams. You’re not talking about a massive fan base in either case … and it may be difficult to convince all but the most ardent Cardinals fans from leaving Phoenix to fly to Buffalo in the middle of a blizzard …

    Can you sell out Buffalo’s stadium by selling tickets just to Bills fans? Probably … but not at Super Bowl prices. And you certainly can’t risk unsold seats …

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