Pro Bowl before the Super Bowl?

[Paradox]

Okay, I saw this a little while back, and I didn't think anything of it till now.

Who's bright idea was it to move the Pro Bowl to the week before the Super Bowl? It is arguably the dumbest thing I've seen the NFL do in awhile. While I'm kinda glad they moved it from Honolulu to Miami. I don't understand why they are having this before the Super Bowl.

Say the Saints and the Colts make it to the Super Bowl. We won't see Manning or Breese in the Pro Bowl. Along with other Pro Bowlers from those teams because the Super Bowl is the week after the game and there is no way that the teams are going to risk letting their players hurt. It's just dumb in my opinion.

Am I over reacting to this, or am I right and this is just flat out stupid.
What do you guys think?

 

[Big Sexy]

It's actually a great idea. No one gives a fuck about watching the pro bowl the week after the Super Bowl. Once the SB is over people see the season as being over. By putting it before the SB it gives people something to watch other then the media day bullshit. As far as the players who make the Super Bowl not being able to play, it really isn't a big deal. Most guys who play in the Super Bowl the week before end up dropping out anyways, and if they do go they only end up playing a series or two.

 

[lghikas]

Exactly, I am not surprise I haven't heard much opposition of moving it to a week before the Super Bowl. Pretty much whatever two teams are in the SB their players will not and should not play, they shouldn't even dress. And some might argue they shouldn't even show up. You are not overacting to this I think you are correct. I know why they did this but I believe it is going to actually hurt the Pro Bowl more.

You look at the other All-Star/Pro Bowl games and all have activities....Home Run Derby...Celebrity Softball....Dunk Contest...hell even Hockey has something. Now I believe the NFL has some type of games maybe a celebrity legends flag football game or that might be Madden. There just isn't anything else other than the Pro Bowl to get people's interest.

 

[klunderbunker]

This is brilliant.

I've never watched the Pro Bowl a single time. Why should I? The Super Bowl is over and the game usually sucks. There's a two week gap with no football and while the game means nothing at all, it's better than hearing about what these teams did in a game four years ago. This is a great idea as people might actually watch the game now, which I don't know of many that do already.

 

[Little Jerry Lawler]

It's a great idea because you always had that off weekend between the conference championship and the Super Bowl so it's great that they filled the time. Also, you getting that feeling of finality after the Super Bowl because most people think football should be over with the Super Bowl. Of course you get the players that are going to the Super Bowl who were elected to the Pro Bowl not playing but that happens all the time so it won't be anything different.

 

[lghikas]

Before...Super Bowl players never or rarely played??? Last year 8 players, 5 from Arizona and 3 for the Steelers played in the Pro Bowl. Arizona: Warner, Fitzgerald, Bolding, Wilson and a Special Teamer Sean Morely. Pittsburgh sent James Harrison & Farrior along with Polamalu. In 2008 out of the Pats/Giants 9 players went and I believe only 2 declined Moss and Brady.

Also this was the most highest rated Pro Bowl since 2000. So just going back 2 years shows that a majority of Super Bowls players if elected do play.

 

[Big Sexy]

Before...Super Bowl players never or rarely played??? Last year 8 players, 5 from Arizona and 3 for the Steelers played in the Pro Bowl. Arizona: Warner, Fitzgerald, Bolding, Wilson and a Special Teamer Sean Morely. Pittsburgh sent James Harrison & Farrior along with Polamalu. In 2008 out of the Pats/Giants 9 players went and I believe only 2 declined Moss and Brady.

Also this was the most highest rated Pro Bowl since 2000. So just going back 2 years shows that a majority of Super Bowls players if elected do play.

When they do play it is usually only for a couple series. There are some exceptions but this really isn't a big deal at all. I'm sure the guys going to the SB won't lose any sleep over not being able to play in the Pro Bowl. It will also give more alternates a chance to play in the game. The Pro Bowl will get much better ratings by having it before the SB.

 

[lghikas]

When they do play it is usually only for a couple series. There are some exceptions but this really isn't a big deal at all. I'm sure the guys going to the SB won't lose any sleep over not being able to play in the Pro Bowl. It will also give more alternates a chance to play in the game. The Pro Bowl will get much better ratings by having it before the SB.

Oh it probably will no doubt, from what I seen from friends and family most of us forget the Pro Bowl is on and don't really care. And usually depending on the position of course, players usually play a couple series maybe a quarter. I guess for a business decision it's smart but as someone who rather see a Pro Bowl with most of the players being there because they earned it and not a handful of alternatives.

But hey they go out this year and have a thriller of a game, I will probably forget about all my gripe with it.

 

[Agent_Bond34]

I thought the NFL had a few events that they have the day before the game? Don't they have a kicking competition (where they kick from crazy angles) and a fastest and strongest man contest?

 

[lghikas]

I thought the NFL had a few events that they have the day before the game? Don't they have a kicking competition (where they kick from crazy angles) and a fastest and strongest man contest?

They do I believe but nothing, at least to me, that is going to grab my attention such as the Home Run Derby or the Slam Dunk Contest. Which is something I think they could use. I think they got a kicking/punting, passing contests but thats all about I can remember, but I'm not 100% sure.

 

[Agent_Bond34]

They could use something like that, I agree. If they had something like that, and marketed it the way the NBA does with their All-Star Weekend in general, I think it could attract some new viewers.

I normally never watch it, because it's usually on after the Super Bowl. With it being the week before, I will be more inclined to check it out.