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An Exhibition Turning Into A Farce
by Chris Brophy
27/1/2010
 Every time I have gone looking for NFL news this past week it seems I am met with the latest announcement of a change to the Pro Bowl rosters player x is hurt, he is been replaced by player y. At this rate, I’ll be getting a call up!! Frankly – and I don’t think I’m breaking ground here by saying this – the Pro Bowl has now become a joke and should be scrapped, at least in its current format.
Over the years, fan voting and lazy picks based on player reputation had come to wear thin but this year’s decision to move the game from its traditional home in Hawaii to Miami and to change the scheduled date from a week after the Super Bowl to a week before the Super Bowl has ruined the game beyond repair in my opinion and it’s time for a radial re-think.
The league likes the Pro Bowl because it uses the fan voting to increase traffic volume on its website which in turn drives advertising and turnover. It’s an additional game to sell to the TV networks and it showcases the leagues stars. At the same time, the game is limited by rule changes and too many roster adjustments happen because of injury and the game really is pointless. However, I do believe the league can take the Pro Bowl concept, alter it drastically and still get what they want from it but also improve the consumer’s sorry, fans – experience.
So, here’s the plan: Turn the Pro Bowl into an interactive weekend of celebration for the whole season just gone.
How? Well, a series of things. First, still pick two squads of players but change the voting system. Voting should start after about Week 11 when all the byes are finished with and the list to pick from should be pre-screened by a selection committee, maybe the Hall Of Fame voting committee or a purpose-built committee of media and ex-players so fans, players and coaches alike can’t just pick anyone. Narrow the voting down to about 4 options per roster pick so that the best are getting their chance but silly options aren’t included. The rosters picked are currently 42 strong; I’d reduce to about 35 to give it a bit more exclusivity (take off a receiver, an offensive lineman, a defensive lineman, a linebacker, a defensive back, special teamer and kick returner).
 When those players come to Hawaii the weekend after the Super Bowl (a return to tradition) they are not there to play a game in pads hence reducing the need for drop outs for injury, but to interact with fans, play some non-padded, non contact scrimmage ball and compete in some skill competitions. Wouldn’t it be fun to see the top QB’s throwing at targets and baskets and stuff like they had in the old QB contests? Kickers could do penalty style shoot outs, punters could do hang time and coffin corner competitions. DB’s and receivers could do some one on one matching up, lineman could do some weightlifting or something of that ilk I’m sure there are tonnes of other ideas they could use. Therefore there is no need for roster changes, obviously no player should be risked if injured but the scrimmages can be very light hearted and be more about showcasing skills and entertaining rather than actual game play and a proper result. This can all be mixed in with the announcement of the All-Pro Team (which is the elite of the elite and should be taken into high regard for things like future Hall of Fame voting), other awards like Coach of the Year, Rookie of the Year and Comeback Player of the Year etc. That can be done in a proper awards ceremony like they have for TV, film and music. It can be added to by a couple of live interactive votes for some minor awards that can be run over the weekend to get fans texting in or voting on the website to keep the coffers the money men love ticking over and it could all cumulate in the announcement of the latest group of enshrines into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
All this can be done over a whole weekend and be covered on the NFL’s own Network with some bits sold off to other networks. It can combine with footage of the season and interviews with the stars and all the other things mentioned above to relive another glorious NFL season surrounded by each conferences best players as well as the All-Pros, award winners and Hall of Famers.
What you get is a lengthened, quality experience that can possibly help increase financial turnover whilst giving the fans a product which is not half baked and half hearted. Give the fans the superstars, some fun, interaction, memories and the chance to say goodbye to the past season in style.
The current Pro Bowl idea is beyond repair embrace change and make the Pro Bowl a high point to finish on, not a dull end that has fans turning off early.
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