That brings back memories of the old College All-Star Game that had the best college players go up against the defending Super Bowl champion – a truly horrible idea.

Much better would have been having the WORST team in the league from the previous season play the College All-Stars; that way, there would have been an incentive for a team not to finish worst overall, since they would get saddled with an extra exhibition game if they did.

You could make a reality show featuring stories about the players and people they’re helping and you’d get better rating than the game does.

Call it Extreme Makeover NFL Edition.

You can’t possibly tell me that two teams wouldn’t give us a serious game and a shot at some kind of season redemption the week before the Super Bowl?

A third place game could be just about as big a bill as the Super Bowl and it would be sure to generate far more revenue, excitement, and ratings then any Pro Bowl would.

The problem is it’s in the middle of preseason activities then, which would force guys to not be as fully prepared for the incoming season, especially if they’ve changed teams. And, in the rare event of a Pro Bowl injury, even a small one, the player would have weeks not months to recover before the season.

Love the idea, probably would never work though.

Personally I don’t mind the game as-is. I know it’s not going to be a hard hitting game. And that’s OK, its kinda funny to see them try to tackle with a pinky finger so they don’t get hurt then laugh at each other after the play. I view it as a fun, “game at the local park” type game. And I bet many of the players, especially 1st time attendees, do genuinely like playing that type of game here & there where they can just have fun & mess around. Though I think adding a skills competition on Saturday (or even Friday) would be great.

They could even remove the “excessive celebrating” penalty from the game and have an award at the end of the game for the most creative TD celebration by a player during the game (like the Madden thanksgiving turkey leg award). Or the best “I sacked you without actually hitting you” you’re sacked gesture / dance by a defensive player…

If it’s going to be a ‘fun” game, do it right!

—————

Kinda like ripping off your season ticket holders by charging them full regular season prices for those mediocre preseason games?

Oh wait.. that does do ‘justice’ to the shield, just not to the loyal fans….

The NHL does a fantastic job with their skills competition. The NFL has a by far larger following, with recognizable names for even the non-diehard fans. They used to have the QB Challenge as well, which was great to watch. The players win, with their vacation (whether or not it is in Hawaii or the Super Bowl location doesn’t matter… to me at least). Fans win, with something that is actually fun and enjoyable to watch. And the owners win, because a skills competition would (and if i remember correctly, used to) bring in viewers to watch something that is most likely/should be low cost to put together.