Let’s face it folks, the Pro Bowl sucks.
The fans know it. The players know it (which is why some guys do not bother making the trip). And most importantly, the commissioner knows it.
NFL Commissioner/Warden/Playa-Hater Roger Goodell thought that fan interest would increase by allowing players to tweet DURING the game. He figured that fans would tune in just for the ability to communicate with players or at the very least, see what was on the players’ minds.
Here’s the deal. The only way the NFL will improve the Pro Bowl (the product and the interest in it) is to do one of the following:
- Allowing blitzing. Wouldn’t fans want to see how the best pass rushers would fare against the best offensive linemen?
- Have huge payouts for the winning team. I know the players who do participate get bonuses, but what if players on the winning team got an extra $1 million for their troubles?
- A more radical solution: the winning conference’s teams get an extra draft pick per round. A little – ok, VERY – extreme, but who wouldn’t want extra draft picks? Could you imagine the Colts getting an extra first round draft pick?
I admit that none of those recommendation (especially the third one) may not materialize but dammit, someone had to do something. What better way to do so than in a blog where most would not even bother to take seriously (oops)?