Per Adam Schefter on Twitter. NFL eliminated traditional AFC-NFC Pro Bowl matchup; will be replaced with Pro-Bowl fantasy-like draft, per ESPN sources. Now players will be assigned to teams through the Pro Bowl Draft (really). Jerry Rice and Deion Sanders will be draft captains. No more kickoffs in Pro Bowl. Rosters will consist of 43 players per squad. Game will be played Jan 26 in Honolulu.
It might not be good, but at least it'll be interesting(?) Wait nevermind Deion Sanders is going to get a lot of airtime
I'd like to see the skills competition return. I wonder what rules Deion and Jerry will have to follow when picking their teams.
I wondered that as well. Just so you don't end up with one team with 12 CBs and a no WRs and vice-a-versa.
Here's the official word on it. I'm thinking it sounds awful. http://nflcommunications.com/2013/0...ds-features-new-format-for-nfl-all-star-game/
Meh. Just scrap the stupid game then and do skills competitions for each position. The OLine and Dline and compete in Wrold's Strongest Man type events. The point of things like the baseball all star game is to see how well a team of the absolute best players can perofrm playing togehter at this sport. If you aren't REALLY doing that, then just make it lots of mini-competition games using sport-related skills
This is how well my model was predicted Pro Bowl games: Year (predicted AFC margin) actual margin 2003 (20.61) 25 2004 (0.015) -3 2005 (13.65) 11 2006 (-4.87) -6 2007 (5.84) 3 2008 (-10.20) -12 2009 (-15.83) -9 2010 (3.56) 7 2011 (-10.75) -14 2012 (-22.27) -27 *******s screwed me
I'm glad the NFL is trying something. It will be really interesting to see a player make it to the Pro Bowl, AND be the last guy picked. It will also defeat the purpose of creating a more competitive game when players from the same NFL team are on opposite Pro Bowl squads. Is Wake really going to try and sack Tannehill when both make the Pro Bowl this year?
IDK but apparently Dwight Freeney said a big part of him choosing San Diego was so he could finally hit Peyton Manning! All those times in practice not being able to hit him because he has the red jersey? Could be tempting haha
No. They pick from a group of 86 players (these 86 are determined by the usual methods, sans the conference equality). I say bring back the NFL's fastest man competition!!!
So they took a game which lacks competition and then did away with the conference vs conference concept which was the only think making it even kind of competitive? Just have a skills day kind of like the home run derby but for every position.
I think I bet like one time, spread was three points. I lost... and said never again LOL... hardest thing to watch in the history of sports betting.
Yeah. The thing about gambling is that the most boring things to watch are the ones where you can make the most money. WNBA, arena football, all-star games, etc. Pretty rare to find an NFL line that isn't pretty sharp.
Yes. Essentially nothing changes on my end either lol. I don't think there is a Pro Bowl game to be created that I would be interested in. It would have to be something silly...like the game is played on trampolines or something
The probowl is like the first half of the basketball all star game, except for the whole game, as well it should, this is too violent a game to sacrifice your career in a meaningless game, if fans don't like the flag football style in pads, then don't watch..
Tannehill deep to Fitzgerald or Mega tron? That'd be cool. Or Tom Brady handing off to AD...Interesting little things that we'd never get from a lot of guys that stay in the afc or nfc. Regardless, its stupid, they should just make them do all kinds of competitions like on pros vs joes. Homerun derby, three point competition, par 3 golf shot, and tennis matches. Why not?
What is next, football flag? I understand the league wants to avoid injuries during an exhibition game, but if the outcome will be something that does not look like fotball i would eliminate that game, jmho.
Chris Kluwe made a good point on twitter. What if someone like devin Hester had a clause in his contract about incentives to make PB as a kick returner and now that's gone? Does it void contract or parts of it?
This is what I've been saying. I don't think you even need to have the game, just have the skills competition and a free trip to Hawaii for the deserving players. The skills competition was so much more interesting than the game. I do like this idea though if they want to keep the game. The NHL went to a similar format a couple of years ago and I think it makes it interesting. It's also smart for the NFL because you'll probably get a solid rating for the Pro Bowl Draft itself. More people might actually tune into that than the actual game.
From what I recall, the special team return guy or specialist wasn't selected into the Pro Bowl under the old system, he was a special selection made by the coach of each squad after the Conference Championships.
Regardless, there was a slot for a kick returner, and its been replaced by another DB....that could cause some flags in a contract for incentive purposes...
I'll laugh if Vince Wilfork is awkwardly standing alone while Rice and Sanders debate who gets the fat kid.
This thread needs a dirt nap. Why in the hell would this thing be in the main this time of year. Move. Please.
I just hope no dolphin ever plays a pro bowl, not because they don't get voted in but because they are busy the following week.
Because the NFL made the changes this time of year. It's also Dolphins related. We have had pro bowlers....