What's wrong with the Pro Bowl?

Something needed to be done to try and generate more interest in the Pro Bowl. But moving the game up to the bye week between the conference championships and the Super Bowl doesn’t solve any of the NFL all-star game's problems. It’s still, and sadly always will be, an unentertaining affair.

The big deal is not that the Super Bowl teams’ players won’t play in the Pro Bowl. That’s always been an issue. Sure, the likes of Peyton Manning and Drew Brees couldn’t hurt the game, but their absence won't kill it.

The fact is, aside from first-timers, not many players seem excited about the Pro Bowl. Everyone wants to be picked for the game, which is an honor, but no one wants to play because it’s a chore.

A football all-star game just plain doesn’t work, no matter when it’s played.

In baseball, basketball and even hockey, every player gets a chance to be seen, giving fans the opportunity to cheer for him. Baseball players hit or pitch (except for the poor saps who play one inning as a defensive replacement). In the NBA, every all-star plays and is usually afforded the opportunity to do something cool for the fans. Same goes for hockey, albeit to a much less interesting extent.

But how do football fans appreciate their offensive linemen? No one’s watching the Pro Bowl and marveling at Logan Mankins’ pass blocking, because if he’s doing a good enough job, Matt Schaub or whomever is playing quarterback is probably making something much more exciting happen down the field.

And even the exciting plays aren’t that exciting in the Pro Bowl.

So what’s the answer? How do we fix the Pro Bowl?

Honestly, this is going to sound goofy, but turn it into a flag football game. It doesn’t solve all the problems, but it would make for a more fun atmosphere, like the NBA All-Star game. There would be no hitting, meaning almost no chance of injury, and it would give players the opportunity to do some entertaining stuff — trick plays, behind-the-back passes, center and quarterback switch spots for a play, whatever.

Sure, it’s gimmicky, but aren’t all all-star games on some level? Flag football isn’t the perfect solution, but it would be an upgrade from what the game is now.