Time to Replace the Pro Bowl

I actually watch bits and pieces of last Sunday's Pro Bowl. I never used to watch any of it, but given it's new placement on the week between the NFL's conference championship games and the Super Bowl, I tuned in to wet my football whistle (so to speak). What I saw was laughable. It wasn't football as I have come to know it. It was, basically, flag football without the flags.

I can't blame the players for playing patty cake with each other. Why risk injury in a meaningless game? They were in Hawaii to enjoy the weather, collect their pay, and do a little grab-ass with their peers. At least that's what I could discern from watching the intensity with which the game was played.

If the NFL is looking for a serious game to slot in the week before the Super Bowl, how about this idea, borrowed in part from a caller to a local talk show:

*Each team selects three of its Practice Squad players forming two, 48 man rosters (approximating the gameday active rosters the NFL uses).

*Coaching staffs are picked as they are now.

*Losing team players get $25K (a nice bump for guys on the practice squad) in addition to extended, real game exposure.

*Winning players get a guaranteed roster spot for the coming year. Not necessarily on the active roster, but even if they end up on the PS again, they get the NFL minimum. Their salaries don’t count against the cap.

That should dial up the intensity while giving us a glimpse of the talent that is bubbling under the surface.

Of course, this game is played on a Saturday, allowing the NCAA National Championship game to be played the next day…

Hey, a guy can dream, right?