The Pro Bowl. The NFL's own All-Star Game, filled with the best players from as many teams as can be voted in. It is a meaningless game, but I along with many other people, still watch it for the fun.
But it is filled with problems, and fixable ones at that.
The Pro Bowl is now finally back in Hawaii full time, so that is not the issue.
But, the best of the best players in the league never play.
Tom Brady and Eli Manning put up career years for quarterbacks, Rob Gronkowski set a new standard for tight ends, while Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz wowed the world with their exceptional years.
But none of them played Sunday because they will play in the Superbowl.
Had comeback kings Eli Manning and Tom Brady been able to play Sunday, the results would have been DRAMATICALLY different than they were.
As far as I am concerned there is only one way to fix this broken bowl...
...move it back to when it used to be, AFTER the Superbowl!
Showing posts with label Pro Bowl. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pro Bowl. Show all posts
Monday, January 30, 2012
The Blowout Bowl!
The Pro Bowl. The game when the best (but not the best of the best-see a later article!) gear up for a meaningless exhibition game that is meant to please the fans.
In the first quarter, Larry Fitzgerald caught 2 Aaron Rodgers passes for touchdowns. 14-0 NFC. But Big Ben Roethlisberger found AJ Green to cut the score to 14-7, followed by a 74 yarder from Ben to Brandon Marshall to tie the game at 14.
In the second quarter, Jimmy Graham caught teammate Drew Brees' pass for 2 yards. 21-14 NFC. Brandon Marshall and Philip Rivers connected for a 29 yarder, and the game was tied once again at 21. Brees then hit Greg Jennings for an 11-yard pass to make the score 28-21. On the last play of the half, Rivers hit teammate Antonio Gates for a 27 yard touchdown.
The third quarter started out with a bang, litterally. Raiders kicker Sebastian Janikowski boomed a 37-yard field goal to give the AFC a slim 31-28 lead. Cam Newton came in to play quarterback, and hit Steve Smith (Panthers teammate) with a 55 yard touchdown. 35-31 NFC. But Brandon Marshall again caught a 47 yarder from Andy Dalton. 38-35.
The fourth quarter was the blowout. Vonta Leach ran in 1 yard for a touchdown, followed by a 3-yard touchdown pass by Andy Dalton to Brandon Marshall. 52-35 AFC. But they weren't done yet! Derrick Johnson intercepted Dalton and returned it for 60 yards. 59-35 AFC. The NFC tried in vain to come back when Cam Newton threw a 36-yard pass to Larry Fitzgerald, but ended up losing 59-41.
I'll admit it, sometimes the players didn't seem to try as hard as they could have, and the defenses were both awful, but in the end, it was a memorable and historic Pro Bowl.
And as of now, that's really all that counts.
In the first quarter, Larry Fitzgerald caught 2 Aaron Rodgers passes for touchdowns. 14-0 NFC. But Big Ben Roethlisberger found AJ Green to cut the score to 14-7, followed by a 74 yarder from Ben to Brandon Marshall to tie the game at 14.
In the second quarter, Jimmy Graham caught teammate Drew Brees' pass for 2 yards. 21-14 NFC. Brandon Marshall and Philip Rivers connected for a 29 yarder, and the game was tied once again at 21. Brees then hit Greg Jennings for an 11-yard pass to make the score 28-21. On the last play of the half, Rivers hit teammate Antonio Gates for a 27 yard touchdown.
The third quarter started out with a bang, litterally. Raiders kicker Sebastian Janikowski boomed a 37-yard field goal to give the AFC a slim 31-28 lead. Cam Newton came in to play quarterback, and hit Steve Smith (Panthers teammate) with a 55 yard touchdown. 35-31 NFC. But Brandon Marshall again caught a 47 yarder from Andy Dalton. 38-35.
The fourth quarter was the blowout. Vonta Leach ran in 1 yard for a touchdown, followed by a 3-yard touchdown pass by Andy Dalton to Brandon Marshall. 52-35 AFC. But they weren't done yet! Derrick Johnson intercepted Dalton and returned it for 60 yards. 59-35 AFC. The NFC tried in vain to come back when Cam Newton threw a 36-yard pass to Larry Fitzgerald, but ended up losing 59-41.
I'll admit it, sometimes the players didn't seem to try as hard as they could have, and the defenses were both awful, but in the end, it was a memorable and historic Pro Bowl.
And as of now, that's really all that counts.
Friday, January 27, 2012
Pro Bowl 2012!
On Sunday, the NFC and AFC will face off in the Pro Bowl. Besides having a number of talented personalities on their side, I will detail why I believe the AFC will come out on top...
The AFC squad is highlighted with QBs Ben Roethlisberger, Philip Rivers, and rookie sensation Andy Dalton in for Tom Brady. The running back crew includes Maurice Jones-Drew and Willis McGahee. With a LOADED receiving core, even without Welker, and a defense including Jets LT D'Brickashaw Ferguson.
The NFC is headlined by rookie sensation Cam Newton, Drew Brees, and Aaron Rodgers. With wide receivers including Larry Fitzgerald, and future Hall of Fame TE Tony Gonzalez, as well as a defense that includes Clay Matthews.
Even though the NFC is coming off of a victory, I expect the AFC to come out on top in the long run.
AFC FULL ROSTER
QB: Ben Roethlisberger (Steelers), Andy Dalton (Bengals), Philip Rivers (Chargers)
RB: Maurice Jones-Drew (Jaguars), Willis McGahee (Broncos), Ryan Matthews (Chargers)
FB: Vonta Leach (Ravens)
WR: A.J. Green (Bengals), Mike Wallace (Steelers), Brandon Marshall (Dolphins), Vincent Jackson (Chargers)
TE: Antonio Gates (Chargers), Jermaine Gresham (Bengals)
T: D'Brickashaw Ferguson (Jets), Joe Thomas (Browns), Ryan Clady (Broncos)
G: Ben Grubbs (Ravens), Marshal Yanda (Ravens), Brandon Moore (Jets)
C: Nick Mangold (Jets), Chris Myers (Texans)
DE: Elvis Dumerville (Broncos), Dwight Freeney (Colts), Antonio Smith (Texans)
IL: Richard Seymour (Raiders), Geno Atkins (Bengals), Paul Soliai (Dolphins)
OLB: Tamba Hall (Chiefs), Von Miller (Broncos), James Harrison (Steelers),
MLB/ILB: Ray Lewis (Ravens), Derrick Johnson (Chiefs)
CB: Champ Bailey (Broncos), Darrelle Revis (Jets), Jonathan Joseph (Texans)
FS: Eric Weddle (Chargers), Ryan Clark (Steelers)
SS: Brian Dawkins (Broncos)
P: Shane Lechler (Raiders)
K: Sebastian Janikowski (Raiders)
LS: Jon Condo (Raiders)
ST: Montell Owens (Jaguars)
KR: Antonio Brown (Steelers)
NFC FULL ROSTER
QB: Aaron Rodgers (Packers), Drew Brees (Saints), Cam Newton (Panthers)
RB: LeSean McCoy (Eagles), Matt Forte (Bears), Marshawn Lynch (Seahawks)
FB: Michael Robinson (Seahawks)
WR: Larry Fitzgerald (Cardinals), Steve Smith (Panthers), Greg Jennings (Packers), Roddy White (Falcons)
TE: Jimmy Graham (Saints), Tony Gonzalez (Falcons)
T: Jason Peters (Eagles), Joe Staley (49ers), Jermon Bushrod (Saints)
G: Jahri Evans (Saints), Carl Nicks (Saints), Davin Joseph (Buccaneers)
C: Ryan Kalil (Panthers), Scott Wells (Packers)
Defense
DE: Jared Allen (Vikings), Jason Babbin (Eagles), Julius Peppers (Bears)
IL: Jay Ratliff (Cowboys), Justin Smith (49ers), B.J. Rajj (Packers)
OLB: Clay Matthews, III (Packers), DeMarcus Ware (Cowboys), Chad Greenway (Vikings)
ILB/MLB: Patrick Willis (49ers), London Fletcher (Redskins)
CB: Charles Woodson (Packers), Brandon Browner (Seahawks), Charles Tillman (Bears)
FS: Earl Thomas (Seahawks), Kam Chancellor (Seahawks)
SS: Adrian Wilson (Cardinals)
P: Andy Lee (49ers)
K: David Akers (49ers)
KR: Patrick Peterson (Cardinals)
ST: Corey Graham (Bears)
LS: Brian Jennings (49ers)
That means that the four members of the New York Jets will be New York's only representatives in the Pro Bowl, as the Giants will rest for the Super Bowl and the no Bills have been selected. That being said, as previously stated, I believe that the AFC will win this year.
The AFC squad is highlighted with QBs Ben Roethlisberger, Philip Rivers, and rookie sensation Andy Dalton in for Tom Brady. The running back crew includes Maurice Jones-Drew and Willis McGahee. With a LOADED receiving core, even without Welker, and a defense including Jets LT D'Brickashaw Ferguson.
The NFC is headlined by rookie sensation Cam Newton, Drew Brees, and Aaron Rodgers. With wide receivers including Larry Fitzgerald, and future Hall of Fame TE Tony Gonzalez, as well as a defense that includes Clay Matthews.
Even though the NFC is coming off of a victory, I expect the AFC to come out on top in the long run.
AFC FULL ROSTER
QB: Ben Roethlisberger (Steelers), Andy Dalton (Bengals), Philip Rivers (Chargers)
RB: Maurice Jones-Drew (Jaguars), Willis McGahee (Broncos), Ryan Matthews (Chargers)
FB: Vonta Leach (Ravens)
WR: A.J. Green (Bengals), Mike Wallace (Steelers), Brandon Marshall (Dolphins), Vincent Jackson (Chargers)
TE: Antonio Gates (Chargers), Jermaine Gresham (Bengals)
T: D'Brickashaw Ferguson (Jets), Joe Thomas (Browns), Ryan Clady (Broncos)
G: Ben Grubbs (Ravens), Marshal Yanda (Ravens), Brandon Moore (Jets)
C: Nick Mangold (Jets), Chris Myers (Texans)
DE: Elvis Dumerville (Broncos), Dwight Freeney (Colts), Antonio Smith (Texans)
IL: Richard Seymour (Raiders), Geno Atkins (Bengals), Paul Soliai (Dolphins)
OLB: Tamba Hall (Chiefs), Von Miller (Broncos), James Harrison (Steelers),
MLB/ILB: Ray Lewis (Ravens), Derrick Johnson (Chiefs)
CB: Champ Bailey (Broncos), Darrelle Revis (Jets), Jonathan Joseph (Texans)
FS: Eric Weddle (Chargers), Ryan Clark (Steelers)
SS: Brian Dawkins (Broncos)
P: Shane Lechler (Raiders)
K: Sebastian Janikowski (Raiders)
LS: Jon Condo (Raiders)
ST: Montell Owens (Jaguars)
KR: Antonio Brown (Steelers)
NFC FULL ROSTER
QB: Aaron Rodgers (Packers), Drew Brees (Saints), Cam Newton (Panthers)
RB: LeSean McCoy (Eagles), Matt Forte (Bears), Marshawn Lynch (Seahawks)
FB: Michael Robinson (Seahawks)
WR: Larry Fitzgerald (Cardinals), Steve Smith (Panthers), Greg Jennings (Packers), Roddy White (Falcons)
TE: Jimmy Graham (Saints), Tony Gonzalez (Falcons)
T: Jason Peters (Eagles), Joe Staley (49ers), Jermon Bushrod (Saints)
G: Jahri Evans (Saints), Carl Nicks (Saints), Davin Joseph (Buccaneers)
C: Ryan Kalil (Panthers), Scott Wells (Packers)
Defense
DE: Jared Allen (Vikings), Jason Babbin (Eagles), Julius Peppers (Bears)
IL: Jay Ratliff (Cowboys), Justin Smith (49ers), B.J. Rajj (Packers)
OLB: Clay Matthews, III (Packers), DeMarcus Ware (Cowboys), Chad Greenway (Vikings)
ILB/MLB: Patrick Willis (49ers), London Fletcher (Redskins)
CB: Charles Woodson (Packers), Brandon Browner (Seahawks), Charles Tillman (Bears)
FS: Earl Thomas (Seahawks), Kam Chancellor (Seahawks)
SS: Adrian Wilson (Cardinals)
P: Andy Lee (49ers)
K: David Akers (49ers)
KR: Patrick Peterson (Cardinals)
ST: Corey Graham (Bears)
LS: Brian Jennings (49ers)
That means that the four members of the New York Jets will be New York's only representatives in the Pro Bowl, as the Giants will rest for the Super Bowl and the no Bills have been selected. That being said, as previously stated, I believe that the AFC will win this year.
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