NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell Disappointed In The Pro Bowl Product
by Josh Kirkendall on Feb 6, 2012 3:30 PM EST
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PrintWatching the Pro Bowl this year, as it would seem every year these days, was painful. Defenses rarely challenge blockers during runs, cornerbacks act as if their equilibrium has been sucked out of their souls by the deliciously evil Scorpius and the act of blocking a kick on special teams goes 1) three-point stance 2) stand up 3) watch kick.
Some rightly argue that the game is meaningless, an award for those players to play in a game that doesn't justify an injury while vacationing in Hawaii.
That deserved boos from the crowd that paid for tickets and a blistering commentary from one of the game's best color commentators in Mike Mayock on a network that paid millions upon millions to show.
During an appearance on ESPN Radio's Mike and Mike in the Morning on Sunday, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell reflected on the Pro Bowl last weekend and the game's future:
"I really didn't think that was the kind of football that we want to be demonstrating for our fans," Goodell said. "And you heard it from the fans. The fans were actively booing in the stands. They didn't like what they were seeing.
"We're either going to have to improve the quality of what we're doing in the Pro Bowl or consider other changes or even considering eliminating the game if that's the kind of quality game we're going to provide," Goodell said.
"I know players love to be in Hawaii but we have to start with the quality of what we're doing," Goodell said. "If the fans are responding negatively to what we're doing, we better listen. And that was my message."
Whatever the NFL decides, for the love of god avoid the Bud Selig nuclear option that places ridiculous importance to the game by deciding homefield advantage for the World Series. Granted the NFL has neutral sites every season so the Selig nuclear option doesn't apply. Regardless the truest form of increasing particpation in the Pro Bowl will be money and even that is suspect. You're not trying hard, here's a ticket feels like a seen from a Tom Cruise inspired movie. You know the one where he's terrible and has to save someone because they're in trouble before they're actually in trouble? He's just terrible.
So cancel it. Not Cruise. The Pro Bowl. What the hell? Both.
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Goodell Facepalmed.....
probowl has been this way awhile these guys make millions and are the best in the game. so why get hurt for peanuts? and the title pro-bowler (cause pro-bowlers get bigger contracts)
If someone was voted to the probowl but couldnt go because of
injurey or superbowl…
does that still make them a probowler? or does it only count if you play in the game?
It all comes down to money...
… I have no idea how much money they make off the Pro-Bowl, but it is a meaningless game and I don’t expect the players to play hard—how would anyone one of use feel if Andy Dalton got concussed or AJ Green blew out a knee?
I think they just should just bag the whole thing. Select an “All star team” so there is still an honor that goes to the players, then have a skills competition, punt, pass and kick—maybe a flag football game with the old-timers, spice it up with some cheearleader competitin, a quiz show called “When’s the last time you slept with your own wife?” etc.
by goffchile on Feb 6, 2012 3:46 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
lol, agree 100%.
They can still get hurt playing at half speed too, so just get rid of it. It’s rediculouis for fans to pay what they do to go see (I’m assuming tickets are relatively similar to a regular season game). The TV ratings were pretty high though (I think like a 7.5 share if I remember right), so I’ll bet they continue to have with ratings like that. Being a football fan, you don’t really have a choice since there aren’t any other games on.
"The next person you see that throws something, point em out! You don’t live in Cleveland, you live in Cincinnati!"
- Sam Wyche
by The Van Buren Boys on Feb 6, 2012 3:51 PM EST up reply actions
Players?
50k winning team(each player) 25k lossing team (each player)
The NFL…
MILLIONS 12.5 million viewers 3 hour long event loaded with sold commerical space… yeah its a money maker.
by Bengalsfan024 on Feb 6, 2012 4:13 PM EST up reply actions
you used Scorpius for a point of reference =)
firefly back around the playoff game. thinking someone has been going through their scifi netflix queue this winter
"the bengals are not a west of the 104 longitude team."
RE:
I was wondering if anyone would get the Farscape reference.
Managing Editor at CincyJungle.com -- SB Nation Cincinnati Bengals blog.
by Josh Kirkendall on Feb 6, 2012 5:28 PM EST up reply actions
the rules forbid competetive play
but I think it’s a fun event. If the fan experience allows for almost guaranteed interaction with an NFL player, then I think the ticket price is worth it. You don’t go there looking for a real football game, you go for a chance to see a lot of great players in one place having fun.
As for television.. they could liven it up a bit. I had a lot more fun watching the Celebrity Beach Bowl yesterday morning than I did watching the Pro Bowl.
Make it flag football without pads
That way they can play hard without too much risk of injury but it would still be fun to watch.
Is it wierd that I had the same thought?
It wouldn’t be a real football game in that case, but at least you could see the guys play at full speed.
by Animal_Like_Football on Feb 6, 2012 9:07 PM EST up reply actions
Why do people care enough to complain this hard?
This isn’t the first year the game has been bad. I don’t feel bad for people who pay to go to a game that is known to be bad and then complain that they spent money on a game that is bad. No one wants to watch Aaron Rodgers get VonOlhoffen’ed in the friggin’ Pro Bowl. Let the guys have fun. They don’t care, so why do you? (It’s also some perspective for just how good the defensive guys really are.)
"The only thing we have to fear is... Mike Brown himself."
who feels bad for people that bought tickets to a football game in hawaii
they are in hawaii….
by Bengalsfan024 on Feb 6, 2012 4:51 PM EST up reply actions
Can't argue that!
But they were booing in the first series. Somebody had unrealistic expecations.
"The only thing we have to fear is... Mike Brown himself."
My vote would be just to do away with it.
However, as it was noted, it is a cash cow for the NFL.
The players who are playing in the SuperBowl will not be playing in it, and the ones that are don’t want to get injured (Robert Edwards comes to mind), so you are going to get a lot of what we saw and have seen in the past, a very lackluster performance….
There should be a higher price you get when you win...
I know it was what 50K for the winners and 25K for the losers…..
What if it was $100 K for the winners and 1K for the losers….I think that would bring in the mindset to win and make some cheddar!!! Otherwise…..just leave it….I think DrainBamage gets it right when he says they spent the money one the ticket and knew what product was going to be on the field, if there was some sort of Advert pushing that they would be playing just like when the season is on or with that sort of intensity then OK I get ….Boo the crap outta them but really we know whats going to happen. If you paid for a ticket when to the Pro-Bowl and were upset with the intensity go to the beach and enjoy where you are….stop complaining… I have no interest in losing Dalton/AJ/Gresham/or Atkins in the Pro Bowl.
AD to AJ = TD!!
by Toasted_Orange_Monster on Feb 6, 2012 4:24 PM EST reply actions
Most Pro-Bowl players are stars, which means millionaires
I don’t think 50k makes a huge difference to them.
hmm.....
I think I said 100K….. but you know, spread around to each player if it was a regular roster would be $530K….. I think that would make a splash.
AD to AJ = TD!!
by Toasted_Orange_Monster on Feb 6, 2012 4:34 PM EST up reply actions
Also I dont know if this is true I will look it up.....
But you don’t have to be a 1st rounder to be a pro-bowler….. So no not all pro-bowlers are millionaires…..they might be after a new contract…. But not every person in the pro-bowl is locked into multi-year contracts.
AD to AJ = TD!!
by Toasted_Orange_Monster on Feb 6, 2012 4:36 PM EST up reply actions
You'd get some motivation there.
Or smaller entourages. They may not care about winning, but they don’t want to lose money on the trip.
"The only thing we have to fear is... Mike Brown himself."
You’re not trying hard, here’s a ticket feels like a seen from a Tom Cruise inspired movie. You know the one where he’s terrible and has to save someone because they’re in trouble before they’re actually in trouble? He’s just terrible.
Even if it is a mangled wreck of what the novel was, never insult something inspired by Phillip K Dick. For shame!
shrine game should be moved to sunday before the superbowl
"the bengals are not a west of the 104 longitude team."
I see the PB as a reward
For the players that had a great season and managed to stay healthy. They could just take the fan vote out (which would give a better roster for players deserving to go), do away with the game, and just announce the players that deserve the title pro bowler. Then just send those guys to hawaii and have skills competitions and I’d be happy.
by Bigcatdaddy on Feb 6, 2012 11:21 PM EST via Android app reply actions
+1 I agree
There should at least be some type of show for the fans but kill the game….worthless and risky for teams
"Mahmoud, Kim Jong, 86 ya sh__ bitches, or Ima do it fo ya"...Luther...Obama's anger translator
by ticalcaldwell on Feb 7, 2012 11:29 AM EST up reply actions
Worlds most expensive flag football game
Let’s just put flags on these guys or they could participate in challenges. I would rather see potential draft picks in a college all-star game while still giving the pros their props by having them at the game for interviews or maybe each pro could adopt and mentor a college all-star.
by Backyard Bengal on Feb 7, 2012 6:03 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
Aren't NFL games already flag football?
You can’t tackle the QB without getting flagged or penalized.
Paul Brown Stadium, where everyone's hopes go to die.
Or hit a WR across the middle
See Reggie Nelson
by Oregonbengalsfan on Feb 7, 2012 2:19 PM EST up reply actions
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