Pro Bowl is all but dead

[Playoffs]

Pro Bowl is all but dead
By Mike Freeman | National NFL Insider

The NFL and union are in negotiations that could possibly kill the concept of the Pro Bowl game, multiple sources confirmed.

Both league and union officials say privately that while this year's game might still be played, it's highly unlikely the concept would last beyond that. The story was first reported by ESPN...

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/blog/mi...s-all-but-dead

[gwallaia]

Good. It's a big waste of time anyway.

[Dutchrudder]

I'm guessing this means it wasn't making enough money.

[Rey]

Originally Posted by Dutchrudder

I'm guessing this means it wasn't making enough money.

Bingo.

[IDEXAN]

I think the players totally enjoy the recognition of being selected to the Pro Bowl, but have no interest in playing in the game. Solution: select the PB players and then just let them attend a big party (in the Hawaiian vocab known as a Luau), in Hawaii in lieu of any kind of football activities.

[Dutchrudder]

Originally Posted by IDEXAN

I think the players totally enjoy the recognition of being selected to the Pro Bowl, but have no interest in playing in the game. Solution: select the PB players and then just let them attend a big party (in the Hawaiian vocab known as a Luau), in Hawaii in lieu of any kind of football activities.

Some players like it. Guys like Schaub, Vince Young, Garrard all are "pro-bowl" QBs thanks to other guys dropping out or getting injured. None of them will ever been the hunt for all-pro honors, but their fans sure do like to throw around the term to describe them.

[drs23]

Originally Posted by IDEXAN

I think the players totally enjoy the recognition of being selected to the Pro Bowl, but have no interest in playing in the game. Solution: select the PB players and then just let them attend a big party (in the Hawaiian vocab known as a Luau), in Hawaii in lieu of any kind of football activities.

So, Pro Bowl partyers? Hmmm

[TimeKiller]

That's too bad. I think they've widely ignored a pretty decent amount of fans who would like to see less of a game and more of a skills competition. Like a combine for established players or something. I would've watched it. Oh well....

I guess my dream of seeing super bowl winner vs. team of all-stars for all the glory is completely dead. You wanna see guys get after it for real? Put bragging rights up.

[Yankee_In_TX]

I think players not showing up (literally and figuratively) puts a bad product on the field and the NFL is blackmailing the players - you want a party in Hawaii you're going to have to actually go to and play the game

[GP]

And the player paycheck for playing in PB was higher than the paycheck for players playing in the SB.

Pretty embarrassing that you pay players more for half-speed honorary game than for the title game.

[GP]

Know who is REALLY bummed about this?

ESPN and NFLN analysts who went over there to "cover" the news. Bummer.

[Playoffs]

Originally Posted by TimeKiller

That's too bad. I think they've widely ignored a pretty decent amount of fans who would like to see less of a game and more of a skills competition. Like a combine for established players or something. I would've watched it. Oh well....

My understanding is the game will be done away with. Pro Bowl selections & incentives will remain, and there's no stopping the league from sending the guys out to Hawaii for some kind of skills show or golf tourney/charity fundraiser/fan interaction lovefest.

[Thorn]

Originally Posted by Playoffs

My understanding is the game will be done away with. Pro Bowl selections & incentives will remain, and there's no stopping the league from sending the guys out to Hawaii for some kind of skills show or golf tourney/charity fundraiser/fan interaction lovefest.

Might as well do that. I don't watch the game anyway, and I doubt I'd watch something like that either. Or at least not the whole thing. I'm sure I'd watch highlites of Texan players gettin' some camera and love time.

[Yankee_In_TX]

Originally Posted by Playoffs

My understanding is the game will be done away with. Pro Bowl selections & incentives will remain, and there's no stopping the league from sending the guys out to Hawaii for some kind of skills show or golf tourney/charity fundraiser/fan interaction lovefest.

Right now nothing is dead. The League wants to suspend the game to blackmail palyers into taking it more seriously.

To avoid issues with the NFLPA there will still be voting and selections and teams will be required to enforce bonuses in contracts.

[Texan_Bill]

Last year's Pro Bowl was a freaking joke. I couldn't even watch the entire game.

[Rey]

Originally Posted by Texan_Bill

Last year's Pro Bowl was a freaking joke. I couldn't even watch the entire game.

The end of the game is where the intensity stepped up...

[Goatcheese]

Originally Posted by Texan_Bill

Last year's Pro Bowl was a freaking joke. I couldn't even watch the entire game.

Some of the first half was boring, but I enjoyed the rest of the game.

I like to watch guys go out there and just have fun playing the great game of foozball. You see all sorts of things in the Pro Bowl that players wouldn't normally do(e.g. laterals after a pick). Plus, the refs generally don't ruin the game by throwing flags constantly and trying to get on camera to show off their biceps in way too tight shirts.

[The1ApplePie]

Years ago they had skill drills during Pro Bowl weekend that were awesome.

I remember Larry Allen being in one that involved the bench. After he took his turn, the others didn't even bother trying to match him. A Steelers OLB may an honest run at it, but burnt out about 15 reps before catching him.

[gwallaia]

They should have the Pro Bowl players compete in a huge Madden tournament against each other.

[hot pickle]

I went to the pro bowl when it was in miami, and had a decent time. beer was way to expensive, so we only stayed till half time lol