For the first time 86 of the NFLs best came together last night (one week before the Super Bowl) in Miami. The Pro-Bowl was held at Dolphin Stadium which is also the host to this year’s Super Bowl. This is not Miami’s first Pro-Bowl game; the last one held there was in 1975 when the site rotated annually. It's not a new topic to have the game moved up to take place between the conference championship games and the Super Bowl. The NFL has discussed it multiple times in recent years, and Commissioner Roger Goodell told the press last month that having the game before the Super Bowl would avoid a "somewhat anticlimactic" ending to the season. In the past the Pro-Bowl would not get a lot of press because it is after the season is over and no one is interested in watching a "joke of a game". Now having it before the Super Bowl, the press can focus on the game and all football fans are still focused on the NFL and the hype leading up to the big game. The downside of having it before the Super Bowl is that 40% of the players originally voted in did not play due to injury and all players from the Colts and Saints didn't play either due to preparation for the Super Bowl.
Many would say that the Pro-Bowl doesn't attract a lot of fans due to the Super Bowl players not playing. Even though the best player (Peyton Manning) along with some other All-Stars did not play, you still have 86 amazing football players that are all on the field at the same time. This game consists of the best athletes in the game today, and it’s a game where all the players get together and have some fun with the game of football.
Last night’s game was one of the better pro-bowls not only because of the amazing timing, but with the new rules in place it allowed the QBs to air the ball out for some huge plays. These plays are the reason why people watch the game. The new rules are: no motion, no trips wide, no blitzes, no press/bump coverage, no 5-6 cb sets, must be in 4-3 defense, intentional grounding not called, and no videotaping the coaches on the sideline. Although these rules don’t allow the defenses to make huge hits and huge plays, it allows the offense to go to work. All fans love to see the ball thrown a million times and a very high scoring game. The new rules allow for more excitement on the field.
1 comment:
I agree that having the pro bowl a week before the super bowl adds to the game. Although not all the superstars were playing, there were still a lot of great players on the field. Also, it gives players like David Gerrard, who many people may not consider an elite quarterback, a chance to show off his skills in a low pressure game. The new rules definitely make the game more fan friendly, which is the whole point anyway. The only policy I disagree with is making the super bowl players go to the pro bowl. Considering they're not playing, why not let them prepare and be with their team before the most important game of the season as opposed to standing on the sidelines of a game with no actual meaning?
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