According to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell the NFL is considering cancelling the Pro Bowl if the level of play doesn’t improve. Assuming it is not cancelled the January Pro Bowl will take place a week before the Super Bowl .
The NFL players are lobbying the NFL to keep the Pro Bowl by promising to perform better. According to USAToday.com “Goodell and others were disappointed in the quality of last year’s Pro Bowl, won 59-41 by the AFC and missing any semblance of hard hitting.”
“If we cannot accomplish that kind of standard (of high play), I am inclined to not play it,” Goodell said. “It is really tough to force competition, and after a long season, to ask those guys to go out and play at the same level they played is really tough.”
But do not give up hope; it’s possible the Pro Bowl may not be cancelled since they are going ahead with voting. “The league still would select a Pro Bowl team through voting by players, coaches and fans, because it is an honor, but ‘just not play the game,’” he said.
Today the balloting process has begun and ESPN.com is already commenting on how who they think will get the votes. Here is a sample of a few comments by position:
Quarterback: Atlanta’s Matt Ryan is getting mentioned in MVP conversations. Despite New Orleans’ overall struggles, Drew Brees is putting up some big numbers.
Wide receiver: Atlanta’s Roddy White would be my top choice and teammate Julio Jones also deserves some consideration. Same for New Orleans’ Marques Colston and Tampa Bay’s Vincent Jackson , if they keep producing like they have in recent weeks.
I for one hope the Pro Bowl will not be cancelled by Roger Goodell and the NFL. What do you football fans say? Hopefully you won’t go after them with paintball guns …
