where is the pro bowl game thread?

[Joemailman]

I'm starting to get convinced that most fans are pretty upset about the pro bowl, but what suggestions did the commissioner offer?

The only idea that he or anybody here really offered is to cancel the game. (Sorry, patler, I can't take your take-a-college-student-to-work day idea seriously.)

He is offering the players 2 choices. Play like you give a damn, or we'll just call the thing off. He's taking the side of the fans here, and putting pressure on the players to give a damn.

[swede]

Why should they give a damn?

Go ahead and call it off.

NFL football is truly a modern day gladiatorial event. It can't be redacted to an exhibition of miscellaneous star players without being a boring mess. Has there ever been a memorable All-Star game? No.



I'm pretty sure the All-Star Roman gladiators didn't assemble to wow the crowds with the All-Star NERF games.

[Patler]

It's very obvious that most players have no interest in playing the game anymore.
Send them a plaque and forget the game.

[swede]

It's very obvious that most players have no interest in playing the game anymore.
Send them a plaque and forget the game.

I'm really not against that, and I don't think it diminishes the honor.

[Harlan Huckleby]

He is offering the players 2 choices. Play like you give a damn, or we'll just call the thing off. He's taking the side of the fans here, and putting pressure on the players to give a damn.

Pressure? Why would players care if game is canceled?

I can see why fans are disgusted. But it is wrong to direct anger at players.

[Joemailman]

Pressure because it would appear that the game was cancelled because the players didn't give a damn. Goodell has the fans on his side here, and is trying to use that to pressure the players to raise their level of play in the Pro Bowl.

[Harlan Huckleby]

Pressure because it would appear that the game was cancelled because the players didn't give a damn. Goodell has the fans on his side here

I see. Sure, Goodell may has the fans on his side, the fans' only priority is to see a good game for free, they aren't losing sleep over risks to players. But the players have reason and fairness on their side, and I wouldn't expect them to budge. Those angry fans wouldn't risk their own livelihoods to please the public. If the NFL can't justify buying insurance policies for the players, then they are hypocritical for blaming the players.

[pbmax]

I see. Sure, Goodell may has the fans on his side, the fans' only priority is to see a good game for free, they aren't losing sleep over risks to players. But the players have reason and fairness on their side, and I wouldn't expect them to budge. Those angry fans wouldn't risk their own livelihoods to please the public. If the NFL can't justify buying insurance policies for the players, then they are hypocritical for blaming the players.

As a league approved event, I am sure the normal injury protections (thin though they sometimes seem to be) do apply. But contract or no, the risk is still bigger than the reward.

[Gunakor]

I see far greater effort in the first series of the first preseason game in August than I see in any series during the Pro Bowl in January. Sure, the guys fighting for roster spots have plenty to play for in August, but what about incumbent starters locked into #1 on the depth chart? Do they have more to play for in a meaningless preseason game than they do playing in a meaningless Pro Bowl game? Isn't the risk the same?

[Joemailman]

I see far greater effort in the first series of the first preseason game in August than I see in any series during the Pro Bowl in January. Sure, the guys fighting for roster spots have plenty to play for in August, but what about incumbent starters locked into #1 on the depth chart? Do they have more to play for in a meaningless preseason game than they do playing in a meaningless Pro Bowl game? Isn't the risk the same?

Actually, the risk is greater in a preseason game. A guy who gets hurt in the preseason is more likely to miss regular season action than a guy who gets hurt in the Pro Bowl.

[Harlan Huckleby]

The players have to play at high level in regular season games, and to an extent in preseason, to maintain their careers. Therefore it is worth the risk, and the injury settlement policy is adequate.

The pro-bowl is entirely different kettle of fish, there is essentially zero benefit, so the injury settlement policy is inadequate to get players to risk bodies. They need additional insurance, which I suppose would cost a lot.

I seem to remember that the UW bought insurance for Ron Dayne for his Senior year at Rose Bowl. but maybe I dreamed that.

Anyway, football is big business, and you can't expect players to make insane business decisions. BTW, we're focused on the players, but I doubt the teams want their star properties out there flying around. Goodall gets to play the good guy and side with the fans, but the owners probably don't want him to do anything.