Putting the Pro Bowl out of its Misery

No defense, average players... the 2011 Pro Bowl!

When it comes to the Pro Bowl, it’s time the NFL went the way of “Old Yeller,” and put the damn thing out of its misery.

NFL executives have tried to revive the dying spectacle by moving it ahead of the Super Bowl, changing it’s location to Miami and moving it back to Hawaii (maybe next year’s can be played at the Jersey Shore?). Nothing has worked, and it’s painfully clear to everyone outside of the NFL that nothing will work.

Sorry Pro Bowl, your time is done. Follow Roger Goodell behind the barn. Trust us, it’s for your own good.

My first gripe with the game is the number of players invited. Due to injured players withdrawing, a total of 95 players were invited. Consider that each team has just 27 starters (11 offense, 11 defense, 5 special teams) that could potentially make the game. That means 11% of the league’s starters got the nod this year. Factor in how many starters miss a good chunk of time each season due to injury/holdout/suspension/having-Mike-Shanahan-as-a-head-coach, and the number of players to choose from is much lower.

Secondly, because the Pro Bowl is now a week before the Super Bowl, neither the Packers nor the Steelers will send any players. The two best teams in the league are not represented in a game that highlights the best in the league. But hey, the Titans are sending four players, so that makes me want to watch.

I met Jake Plummer in Hawaii after the Pro Bowl one year. He was shocked he made the Pro Bowl too.

It’s also not very encouraging that many players simply decline attending. If you’re going to turn down a free vacation in Honolulu with your pals, there has to be an excellent excuse. And having to play in the Pro Bowl might be that excuse.

Finally, (and this is my argument with all All-Star games) the fans get to vote. Have you ever talked sports with a random guy at the bar? Well that’s the guy who votes 25 times, because naturally Brandon Meriweather deserves a spot.

At one point I may have flipped on the Pro Bowl to help soothe my post Super Bowl hangover, but I can’t even do that this year. Well maybe I’ll flip it on to watch Tom Brady one more time this season.

Oh wait, he isn’t going either? Looks like more Jersey Shore reruns then.