The Pro Bowl should officially be cancelled (1 Viewer)

[GroveDiesel]

The QBs for the AFC:

Matt Schaub

David Garrard

Vince Young

It's bad enough that we don't get any of the Super Bowl players in it, but nobody else wants to go either since it's not in Hawaii anymore.

Just get rid of it and go to a weekend of Skills Competitions. NFL's Fastest Man, QB Challenge, WR Challenge, Bench Press Challenge, Kicking Challenge, etc. If they did this right and hyped it up, I'd definitely watch that kind of thing.

 

[inzanitee]

Garrard?

Is this the Anti-Pro Bowl?

 

[49erBamBam52]

thats the only reason i ever watched the probowl anyway...

this new format really sucks!! this (Garrard) marks what, 8 QB's invited for the AFC this year... comeon man...

BAM

 

[grantsa4]

Why doesn't someone make a poll for if you will be watching the pro bowl live, on dvr or not at all? Could get a good gauge of how bad it has become

 

[Sammy Traveller]

The Pro Bowl was never a good idea for a sport with a very high probability of serious injury. Sending the Pro Bowlers to Hawaii to relax for a week is reward enough after finishing a hard-fought season.

 

[Jason Wood]

I don't know about canceling it, since it's decidedly not for me in the first place I can only assume the people who do watch it get enjoyment regardless of who suits up. But in the spirit of what GD is saying, this is a travesty even more than most years. While the Garrard addition is getting the attention, I can point to the absurdity of adding Quinten Mikell to the Pro Bowl from the Eagles as equally ridiculous.

 

[NoFBinLA]

This is flat out one of the biggest missteps the league has taken in some time. I hope Thurs/Friday Draft nights fares better becuase this is beyond a joke.

 

[Sammy Traveller]

This is flat out one of the biggest missteps the league has taken in some time. I hope Thurs/Friday Draft nights fares better becuase this is beyond a joke.

the Jay Leno 10 pm show was an even bigger misstep. But yes, I agree with you about the Pro Bowl reschedule.

 

[NoFBinLA]

This is flat out one of the biggest missteps the league has taken in some time. I hope Thurs/Friday Draft nights fares better becuase this is beyond a joke.

the Jay Leno 10 pm show was an even bigger misstep. But yes, I agree with you about the Pro Bowl reschedule.

The League rescheduled Leno? Damn, they're like the mob - fingers in many pies.

 

[Osaurus]

Garrard? Is this the Anti-Pro Bowl?

Wasn't he the best QB in Florida this season? I am inquiring out of curiosity.

 

[Sammy Traveller]

Garrard? Is this the Anti-Pro Bowl?

Wasn't he the best QB in Florida this season? I am inquiring out of curiosity.

isn't Tebow better?

 

[Chase Stuart]

This is flat out one of the biggest missteps the league has taken in some time. I hope Thurs/Friday Draft nights fares better becuase this is beyond a joke.

 

[Osaurus]

Garrard? Is this the Anti-Pro Bowl?

Wasn't he the best QB in Florida this season? I am inquiring out of curiosity.

isn't Tebow better?

I forgot about the Messiah

 

[GroveDiesel]

Garrard? Is this the Anti-Pro Bowl?

Wasn't he the best QB in Florida this season? I am inquiring out of curiosity.

I'd actually take Chad Henne over Garrard. Seriously.

 

[Chase Stuart]

Garrard? Is this the Anti-Pro Bowl?

Wasn't he the best QB in Florida this season? I am inquiring out of curiosity.

isn't Tebow better?

Ponder, too. Don't sell Jacory Harris short, either.

 

[kneeshooter]

Just get rid of it and go to a weekend of Skills Competitions. NFL's Fastest Man, QB Challenge, WR Challenge, Bench Press Challenge, Kicking Challenge, etc. If they did this right and hyped it up, I'd definitely watch that kind of thing.

If done correctly this would be very entertaining. Might also increase the likelihood that the upper tier players decide to go, as the risk of injury would be severely reduced. It makes almost too much sense, so therefore the NFL will never do it and instead keep their focus on creating more games in Europe.

 

[NoFBinLA]

Just get rid of it and go to a weekend of Skills Competitions. NFL's Fastest Man, QB Challenge, WR Challenge, Bench Press Challenge, Kicking Challenge, etc. If they did this right and hyped it up, I'd definitely watch that kind of thing.

If done correctly this would be very entertaining. Might also increase the likelihood that the upper tier players decide to go, as the risk of injury would be severely reduced. It makes almost too much sense, so therefore the NFL will never do it and instead keep their focus on creating more games in Europe.

Safer for top players - unless they play a touch football game on the beach in which case ACLs will be blown.

 

[Lobary]

I agree in general with the OP's argument because Garrard and Young do not deserve to go to the Pro Bowl, but including Matt Schaub undermines his point.

I've heard Mike Golic say the same thing on his radio show a couple of times this week and it irritates me greatly.

Does Mike Golic or the OP realize that Matt Schaub led the NFL in passing yardage by posting 4,770 yards, the sixth-best passing total of all-time? Only a damn fool thinks that Matt Schaub is not worthy of the Pro Bowl after the season he just had.

 

[IDrinkyourMilkshake]

I would rather watch David Garrard play football than watch no football It's an exhibition game featuring average to elite level players.

 

[NoFBinLA]

I agree in general with the OP's argument because Garrard and Young do not deserve to go to the Pro Bowl, but including Matt Schaub undermines his point.

I've heard Mike Golic say the same thing on his radio show a couple of times this week and it irritates me greatly.

Does Mike Golic or the OP realize that Matt Schaub led the NFL in passing yardage by posting 4,770 yards, the sixth-best passing total of all-time? Only a damn fool thinks that Matt Schaub is not worthy of the Pro Bowl after the season he just had.

I didn't read it as him ripping Schaub (the only guy in that list worthy of a spot) so much as showing that overall, this is a crappy AFC QB list. You have Schaub and then.... Young and Garrard?I mean if you put all three names on a poster you'd get an 'Ah' for Schaub followed by a 'really?' and a '...the hell?'.

 

[thriftyrocker]

A good year to have Pro Bowl escalators in your contract.

 

[Lobary]

I agree in general with the OP's argument because Garrard and Young do not deserve to go to the Pro Bowl, but including Matt Schaub undermines his point.

I've heard Mike Golic say the same thing on his radio show a couple of times this week and it irritates me greatly.

Does Mike Golic or the OP realize that Matt Schaub led the NFL in passing yardage by posting 4,770 yards, the sixth-best passing total of all-time? Only a damn fool thinks that Matt Schaub is not worthy of the Pro Bowl after the season he just had.

I didn't read it as him ripping Schaub (the only guy in that list worthy of a spot) so much as showing that overall, this is a crappy AFC QB list. You have Schaub and then.... Young and Garrard?I mean if you put all three names on a poster you'd get an 'Ah' for Schaub followed by a 'really?' and a '...the hell?'.

Guilt by inclusion. The OP didn't even bother to differentiate between the three, and Mike Golic continues to reference Schaub's name in the most dismissive tone possible.

With apologies to the OP for making him bear Golic's burden, Matt Schaub was a definite Pro Bowl snub. He deserves to go and Mike Golic should say as much.

 

[Lobary]

When the most memorable pro bowl highlight of the last 20 years is a sideline interview with Peyton Manning, that tells you everything you need to know about this game.

That was definitely a memorable interview, but Sean Taylor made a play many of us still remember.

 

[3nOut]

This is flat out one of the biggest missteps the league has taken in some time. I hope Thurs/Friday Draft nights fares better becuase this is beyond a joke.

Not saying you are wrong, but how do you know its a misstep? Since people are still hungry for football, theres a good chance that more people will tune in to it now vs. after the SB when everything else would be anti-climactic. The ratings might be the highest it has been in a long while,a nd thats all that really matters. And face it, if you so eagerly waited and watched the pro-ball, you'll be tuning into it again tis year regardless of who plays.Also, we should stop thinking that Probowl = All-Pro. To me it never really did. There have always been players who skipped and players who replaced them. And many SB players skipped the Pro Bowl, IIRC, anyway. I like the idea, though, of a week full of skills competition. The NFL could benefit a lot from something like this and keep the SB hype going in a lull week. I think I also heard an idea on the radio last week saying they should make the game a "future stars" game with rookies vs. 2nd year players in it. I think I kind of like that as well.

 

[culdeus]

I agree in general with the OP's argument because Garrard and Young do not deserve to go to the Pro Bowl, but including Matt Schaub undermines his point.

I've heard Mike Golic say the same thing on his radio show a couple of times this week and it irritates me greatly.

Does Mike Golic or the OP realize that Matt Schaub led the NFL in passing yardage by posting 4,770 yards, the sixth-best passing total of all-time? Only a damn fool thinks that Matt Schaub is not worthy of the Pro Bowl after the season he just had.

They had no RBs to speak of at all, were frequently scrambling to pass to catchup because of special teams, or defensive woes so the yardage total isn't all that impressive due to the field position battles that were lost time and time again. He is perfectly serviceable, but not a top 3 QB in the AFC this year. That he would start this game is a joke.

 

[GroveDiesel]

I agree in general with the OP's argument because Garrard and Young do not deserve to go to the Pro Bowl, but including Matt Schaub undermines his point.

I've heard Mike Golic say the same thing on his radio show a couple of times this week and it irritates me greatly.

Does Mike Golic or the OP realize that Matt Schaub led the NFL in passing yardage by posting 4,770 yards, the sixth-best passing total of all-time? Only a damn fool thinks that Matt Schaub is not worthy of the Pro Bowl after the season he just had.

I didn't read it as him ripping Schaub (the only guy in that list worthy of a spot) so much as showing that overall, this is a crappy AFC QB list. You have Schaub and then.... Young and Garrard?I mean if you put all three names on a poster you'd get an 'Ah' for Schaub followed by a 'really?' and a '...the hell?'.

Guilt by inclusion. The OP didn't even bother to differentiate between the three, and Mike Golic continues to reference Schaub's name in the most dismissive tone possible.

With apologies to the OP for making him bear Golic's burden, Matt Schaub was a definite Pro Bowl snub. He deserves to go and Mike Golic should say as much.

Uh, yeah, I'm not Mike Golic. Nothing against Schaub at all. He deserved to be the #3 guy from the beginning. But when he's the #1 guy by a long shot, you know it's pretty weak. I included Schaub to demonstrate that the class is weak enough that he's by far the #1 guy on the AFC that's going to the Pro Bowl. I think everyone else seemed to get my point. Your beef is with a mediocre media guy, not me. I think I count 23 guys not going either due to injury or because they're playing in the Super Bowl. I bet the ratings will be less than some of the pre-season games.

 

[Lobary]

They had no RBs to speak of at all, were frequently scrambling to pass to catchup because of special teams, or defensive woes so the yardage total isn't all that impressive due to the field position battles that were lost time and time again. He is perfectly serviceable, but not a top 3 QB in the AFC this year. That he would start this game is a joke.

You have no idea what you are talking about if you think the Texans were playing catch up. WRONG!!!! The defense sucked in the first three weeks but they played much, much better as the season progressed due to the emergence of Brian Cushing and Bernard Pollard.With the exception of the loss in the first week to the Jets, the Texans were in every game. They did not pass frequently because the game situation dictated they do so, they passed because they have the best WR in the NFL and one of the best emerging quarterbacks. Did you even watch any Texans games this year?The Colts had no running game to speak of this year, but few observers dismiss Manning's stats on that basis. So why dismiss Matt Schaub?

 

[Moniker]

Just get rid of it and go to a weekend of Skills Competitions. NFL's Fastest Man, QB Challenge, WR Challenge, Bench Press Challenge, Kicking Challenge, etc. If they did this right and hyped it up, I'd definitely watch that kind of thing.

If done correctly this would be very entertaining. Might also increase the likelihood that the upper tier players decide to go, as the risk of injury would be severely reduced. It makes almost too much sense, so therefore the NFL will never do it and instead keep their focus on creating more games in Europe.

Safer for top players - unless they play a touch football game on the beach in which case ACLs will be blown.

ugg, don't remind me...

 

[Mr. Brownstone]

David Garrard in the Pro Bowl. What a freaking joke.

If I didn't read it elsewhere, I wouldn't believe it.

 

[Mello]

I like the idea of the Pro Bowl before the Super Bowl. It's not like Manning or Brees were going to play in it anyway. Rivers and Ben should be playing instead of the 2 scrubs that will be playing though. That's the main issue. They should either cancel the Pro Bowl or get a way to further motivate the good players to actually play.

 

[Lehigh98]

Is everyone who declined still considered a "Pro-Bowler"?

In 10 years people are going to be asking why there were 150 "Pro-Bowlers" back in 2010.

 

[QuizGuy66]

Make it a flag football game

As for Garrard, I was gonna say maybe he has the shortest, but that wouldn't explain Henne...

As tough as it to pick the top 3 guys at a position for the Pro Bowl, lookit how tough it is to figure out who #8 is

They should do it all on Madden anyhow. Heh - maybe even have a Madden tournament amongst the players in each conference to determine who gets to play the official Madden Pro Bowl

-QG

 

[QuizGuy66]

Is everyone who declined still considered a "Pro-Bowler"?In 10 years people are going to be asking why there were 150 "Pro-Bowlers" back in 2010.

Yup - I believe that they all count as Pro Bowl selections.-QG

 

[Txns8]

The QBs for the AFC:

Matt Schaub

David Garrard

Vince Young

It's bad enough that we don't get any of the Super Bowl players in it, but nobody else wants to go either since it's not in Hawaii anymore.

Just get rid of it and go to a weekend of Skills Competitions. NFL's Fastest Man, QB Challenge, WR Challenge, Bench Press Challenge, Kicking Challenge, etc. If they did this right and hyped it up, I'd definitely watch that kind of thing.

Dodds was right! He was a Pro Bowler this year!

 

[NoFBinLA]

This is flat out one of the biggest missteps the league has taken in some time. I hope Thurs/Friday Draft nights fares better becuase this is beyond a joke.

Not saying you are wrong, but how do you know its a misstep? Since people are still hungry for football, theres a good chance that more people will tune in to it now vs. after the SB when everything else would be anti-climactic. The ratings might be the highest it has been in a long while,a nd thats all that really matters. And face it, if you so eagerly waited and watched the pro-ball, you'll be tuning into it again tis year regardless of who plays.

Well I guess I should have written in my opinion it's the biggest misstep but I assumed that was implied. I don't know it's a misstep. I THINK it's a misstep. It LOOKS like a misstep.It will likely have a bigger crowd on hand in person than the usual Pro Bowl b/c Miami will have more people there specifically for this kind of activity than Hawaii does during their Pro Bowl.

Now, I don't know - maybe ratings will be HUGE. But honestly? How many people do you really think are tuning into Garrard?

Now, here's the other question I'll be curious to see. How will the ratings be as the game wears on - because THAT counts a lot as well.

How many people drop off five minutes in will be interesting to see.

I may be wrong. But when half the rosters have dropped out, it really has become ridiculous. Does any other all star game have this issue? I mean one or two guys, sure. But this many?

 

[JamesTheScot]

This is flat out one of the biggest missteps the league has taken in some time. I hope Thurs/Friday Draft nights fares better becuase this is beyond a joke.

Not saying you are wrong, but how do you know its a misstep? Since people are still hungry for football, theres a good chance that more people will tune in to it now vs. after the SB when everything else would be anti-climactic. The ratings might be the highest it has been in a long while,a nd thats all that really matters. And face it, if you so eagerly waited and watched the pro-ball, you'll be tuning into it again tis year regardless of who plays.Also, we should stop thinking that Probowl = All-Pro. To me it never really did. There have always been players who skipped and players who replaced them. And many SB players skipped the Pro Bowl, IIRC, anyway.

I like the idea, though, of a week full of skills competition. The NFL could benefit a lot from something like this and keep the SB hype going in a lull week. I think I also heard an idea on the radio last week saying they should make the game a "future stars" game with rookies vs. 2nd year players in it. I think I kind of like that as well.

The bolded part is right on.It's only a misstep for the NFL if revenue generated decreases because of the change.

Now, if they'd just move the Super Bowl to a Saturday evening...

 

[NoFBinLA]

I think I also heard an idea on the radio last week saying they should make the game a "future stars" game with rookies vs. 2nd year players in it. I think I kind of like that as well.

Missed this the first time - I really like this idea - that could be fun.

 

[IDrinkyourMilkshake]

A North-America vs The World format would also be intriguing.

 

[Sinrman]

The Pro Bowl is a joke. Always has been. It's a glorified vacation for those players. But have it a week BEFORE the Super Bowl?? HUH!? So your Super Bowl players never play in it?

Why does the NFL insist on having an "all star game" like baseball, basketball, and hockey? It's built a lot differently than those other sports and there's just no way to fit the Pro Bowl. Can't have it at the beginning, middle, or end of the season for fear of injuries. Few people tune in. Waste o' time...

 

[Moonlight_Graham]

I would prefer to see the best college all-stars play the worst NFL team each year. Now that would be something to see. They used to have the SB Champs play college all-stars each year, but that also was a joke.

 

[Sammy Traveller]

Here's what Colts president Bill Polian said in The Sporting News about this year's Pro Bowl:

On the Pro Bowl setup this year:

"It’s stupid. It’s a disruption, but we’ll deal with it."

 

[Leroy Hoard]

Turn it back into the punt pass & kick competition with the kid winners getting handicaps from the NFL versions.

 

[sho nuff]

I like the idea of the Pro Bowl before the Super Bowl. It's not like Manning or Brees were going to play in it anyway. Rivers and Ben should be playing instead of the 2 scrubs that will be playing though. That's the main issue. They should either cancel the Pro Bowl or get a way to further motivate the good players to actually play.

I believe Peyton played in the game in 2007 after they won the Super Bowl.

 

[culdeus]

Here's what Colts president Bill Polian said in The Sporting News about this year's Pro Bowl:

On the Pro Bowl setup this year:

"It’s stupid. It’s a disruption, but we’ll deal with it."

Why? They aren't sending anyone.

 

[Grigs Allmoon]

Just get rid of it and go to a weekend of Skills Competitions. NFL's Fastest Man, QB Challenge, WR Challenge, Bench Press Challenge, Kicking Challenge, etc. If they did this right and hyped it up, I'd definitely watch that kind of thing.

I've been wishing they'd do that for a while now. I like seeing skill competitions much more than a half-assed exhibition game. Now that the top players aren't going makes it even worse.

 

[IDrinkyourMilkshake]

Here's what Colts president Bill Polian said in The Sporting News about this year's Pro Bowl:

On the Pro Bowl setup this year:

"It’s stupid. It’s a disruption, but we’ll deal with it."

Why? They aren't sending anyone.

They have to show up and stay until half-time.

 

[malice]

I'd almost rather see a Pro Bowl type game played in the last week of exhibition based on off-season voting than at the end of the season. The guys fighting for roster spots play in the exhibition game and the "stars" stay active by playing in their all-star game.

As for the Super Bowl, I wish it went back to the week after the conference finals. The hype just gets out of control and the teams maintain their normal in-season rhythm.

 

[Godsbrother]

I love the Pro Bowl and think it is very relevant. In fact I think the winning conference should get to host next years's Super Bowl.

 

[GregR_2]

They had no RBs to speak of at all, were frequently scrambling to pass to catchup because of special teams, or defensive woes so the yardage total isn't all that impressive due to the field position battles that were lost time and time again. He is perfectly serviceable, but not a top 3 QB in the AFC this year. That he would start this game is a joke.

You have no idea what you are talking about if you think the Texans were playing catch up. WRONG!!!! The defense sucked in the first three weeks but they played much, much better as the season progressed due to the emergence of Brian Cushing and Bernard Pollard.With the exception of the loss in the first week to the Jets, the Texans were in every game. They did not pass frequently because the game situation dictated they do so, they passed because they have the best WR in the NFL and one of the best emerging quarterbacks. Did you even watch any Texans games this year?The Colts had no running game to speak of this year, but few observers dismiss Manning's stats on that basis. So why dismiss Matt Schaub?

Agreed. The comment about the RBs is about right but the rest of the post is the opposite of reality. The Texans defense gave up 436 yards per game the first 3 games, after which they gave up about 298 yards per game. To put that in perspective, only the Jets and Packers gave up fewer yards per game this season. The Texans were the worst defense in the league for 3 games, and were even historically bad as they were on pace to give up an NFL record number of rushing yards. But then they played the other 13 games at the level of the 3rd best defense in the league. In many of their games the latter half of the year, announcers would mention that the Texans defense was leading the league in number of 3 and outs they held their opponents to. It isn't like they were getting killed on field position battles.

 

[culdeus]

Here's what Colts president Bill Polian said in The Sporting News about this year's Pro Bowl:

On the Pro Bowl setup this year:

"It’s stupid. It’s a disruption, but we’ll deal with it."

Why? They aren't sending anyone.

They have to show up and stay until half-time.

wow. really?