I get it. I get the reason to have the game, the reward for the players to play in it, all of it. IT IS A GOD AWFUL GAME. There has to be something they can do to make it more interesting, while still not putting guys in danger. I mean shit happens, but you can't have players going 100% in football in an all star game. Also, it makes no sense that some players are off for a month before the game Suggestions?
Have them play softball instead? I dunno. I've never watched the pro bowl, and don't know of a single friend that has bothered to either. And all HUGE football fans. I guess people watch it. I dunno who they are. I think they should just do away with it, just have them named, give them the free trip to hawaii to party together.
...they should turn it into a giant skills challenge for all of the individual positions. I am sure they can think of AT LEAST three different mini-events to showcase their "Pro Bowl Skills" for all of the players. Assign a points value for how well the players finish in each mini-event. Offer a few team events as well [ie - relay race, tug-o-war, puzzle challenge, etc]. Keep a running total of these points for AFC/NFC players. Most total points wins with several individual awards to give out as well. Something along these lines, I would think, would drastically improve the popularity of this event.
Skills competitions. I'd love to see the speed guys line up & race (in pads) to see who is the fastest guy in the NFL.
Two things One: I don't understand why they do it the week before the Super Bowl, so obviously a lot of the best players aren't even able to play in the game. Two: It's really not much different than the NBA All-Star game, where zero defense is played and many dunks occur.