A.C. RANTED: The 2014 Pro Bowl

The NFL Pro Bowl has reformatted the manner in which the actual game will be played. If you haven’t been following along at home, let me fill you in. 

Let me preface this by stating that the process in which players are voted in has not changed, ok? Ok. 



These two have been there before!

Let’s begin. 

Jerry Rice and Deion Sanders are captains, each representing a conference. They had a draft, which has now reached completion (rosters seen here). 

They drafted players just like one would in a Fantasy Football League. Sanders even suggested to Rice that they suit up and take the field for a few plays. I'm not sure how I feel about this...

Oh, wait, yes I do, I hate it. 



Seriously...don't suit up...

First of all, I get the whole exhibition aspect of All Star games and the Pro Bowl, I truly do, but the individual leagues continue to do stupid things to market them. 

For example: In 2003, MLB decided it’s All Star game (Exhibition) would determine who would have home field advantage in the World Series. 


ARE YOU KIDDING ME? Just an awful idea, and maybe a future RANT. 

I’m now curious how home field correlates with the team with the better record and post season success, but I digress. The NBA, NHL, NFL all have a “game” of sorts, and they’re a joke. Especially the NFL and NHL. 

 

At least in the NBA all star game, you can see Russell Westbrook match up against LeBron James and steal for a dunk the other way. But defensive moments like that are few and far between. 

The NHL? Forget it, why even have a goalie?

My focal point is the NFL and this new format is goofy at best. 

Now, let’s discuss the timing of the game. 

It’s before the Superbowl. When did they move it up, 3 or 4 years ago? Terrible! 

Most players with any common sense bow out of the Pro Bowl because they’re playing for a Championship the next week.(or in San Francisco's case stay home and send the rookie!)

All it is, is a means for the commissioner’s office to bridge the gap from Conference Championship to League Championship and make more money. I’m pretty sure they could pull everything together in a week and have the big game the week after the Conference Championships. 

Give them the BUY-WEEK.... yes I get that, but don’t fill it with the Pro Bowl. 

Till NEXT Time...

A.C.