Pro Bowl: How it can be saved

Let’s be honest.

The Pro Bowl is a joke.

At least it is at the moment. The game is full of lethargic play and the players rarely compete with intensity. Despite the negatives about the Pro Bowl, there’s still time to save it. An article in The Trenton Times pointed out that while the Pro Bowl is met with ridicule from spectators, it also garners the most views out of any professional sports All-Star Game. It even got more views than some MLB, NBA and NHL playoff games last year.

The changes are simple, but they would prove to be effective.

First and foremost, the whole week and weekend of the infamous NFL All-Star Game needs to have more pizzaz. Think about it; what’s the NBA’s biggest draw during All-Star Weekend?

It’s not the game, I can tell you that much. What makes the NBA’s All-Star Weekend so fun to watch is because of all of the extracurricular activities it offers. The 3-point contest, celebrity game, rising star games, skills challenges and of course, the dunk contest are all part of the fanfare. With that being said, the NFL is doing some things right. Having two legends select teams is definitely interesting and the rule changes make the game more watchable.

But things can still be improved upon.

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Next year, the NFL should make two rivals captains of the teams.

While the NFL obviously can’t have a dunk contest (sorry, Jimmy Graham), they can still add events to make the whole experience more fun.

Have a trick-shot field goal competition. Have a one-handed catch contest. The NFL could even have a celebrity and a legend’s game of 7-on-7 flag football. While the celebrity game would just be goofy fun as where able to see the athletic ability of stars like Justin Bieber, having the legends of thre game involved would offer some nostalgia for older viewers. Imagine Joe Montana throwing the ball to Jerry Rice again, albeit in a game of flag football. Or how about Lawrence Taylor going after Joe Theismann and violently ripping the flag out?

Jan 22, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback

Andrew Luck

(12) at Team Carter practice for the 2015 Pro Bowl at Luke Air Force Base. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Why not have a strong-man competition between the lineman? There used to be one, but for some reason it went the way of the Dodo. Another idea is to have one-on-ones between wide receivers and defensive backs. So if Patrick Peterson is on one team and Odell Beckham Jr. is on the other team, the two players can compete face-to-face during the week. This would be a way for corners to see who truly is the best in the game. No zone coverage or defensive schemes, just man vs man.

How about a Rising Stars Game that features the Pro Bowl alternates? It would be a treat for some of the younger players to get a chance to shine.

A final idea is definitely the least likely to happen, but it would be one of the coolest things in all of sports. If the NFL could somehow work out a deal with the NCAA, college players that have declared for the draft could join in on the activities as well. The NFL could hold a game consisting of college athletes and pros. The teams could be drafted and the game would serve as a platform for collegiate athletes to prove what they have, and it would allow scouts and teams to see how these young players will adapt to the pro game, even if it’s only in a game of 7-on-7. The pros will likely try hard, too, because I don’t think any cornerback wants to get shown up by Amari Cooper catching passes from Jameis Winston. Imagine if this idea was a reality last year. Teams would be painfully aware of Johnny Manziel‘s mediocrity.

If the NFL can’t do that – which I realize they almost certainly won’t be able to – why not have the Senior Bowl take place at the same location of the Pro Bowl during the week?

Even if you disagree with all of these possibilities, anything would be an improvement over the current structure. If the NFL wants to change the stigma of its All-Star game, they need to add something more than just a light-hearted game.

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