The Expectations of the 2012 Pro Bowl
By: Mariah Alfahel
Congratulations Hawaii for hosting yet another Pro Bowl game in which the league's best players pretend to "play football" and get money and a free trip.
The 2011 Pro Bowl was a joke. Players were literally walking and pushing one another around in what could best be described as a friendly manner.
Why can't the NFL Pro Bowl be anything like the NBA All Stars game? Yes, Kobe Bryant ended up getting a concussion off a hard foul from Dwayne Wade in this year's edition, but the game was interesting and ended in thrilling fashion.
Nothing is better then watching the best athletes compete in their sport all on the same field.
Imagine Tom Brady doing a play action where he fakes a handoff to Arian Foster and instead throws it to Wes Welker, barely dodging charging Jason Pierre-Paul coming in for the sack. But wait! Charles Woodson is perfectly positioned himself to get the interception, and it's touchdown NFC.
That's a game I would watch.
The excuse that many players had for not playing their best was the fear of injury. Every game these players play in their lifetime has a risk of injury. This game should be no different and be played with the same passion as all other games...or they shouldn't play it.
Aaron Rodgers said on ESPN 540 in Milwaukee after this past year's Pro Bowl, "I was a little disappointed. I felt like some guys on the NFC side embarrassed themselves." He continued to talk about his disappointment in the players.
“I was just surprised that some of the guys either didn’t want to play or when they were in there didn’t put any effort into it.” -Aaron Rodgers (Via ESPN)
Why not play one last game of the season and prove why they are the best players in the game?
No more lateral passes on every play or linebackers running in place. There is a thing called defense; so no more 59-41 scores.
I think the NFL made a correct decision to keep the Pro Bowl for the 2012 season, but some major improvements are needed.
Prove that NFL players are willing to try their best for their fans.
All we want a is real football game.