:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/17209277/20130127_ajl_al2_213.0.jpg)
The NFL has long been looking for ways to improve the yearly Pro Bowl, which fans and media have criticized as being terrible football to watch. Fans still flock to it, but the NFL has announced some changes to the game.
No longer will it be a selection through player, coach and fan voting. It will be a fantasy draft, of sorts, where two captains each select 43 players, from any team and any conference. There will be no kick returners and the play clock will be reduced.
This should allow for a fast paced game. It also provides for the opportunity to see matchups like Patrick Peterson covering Larry Fitzgerald potentially because they could end up not on the same team. Calais Campbell could sack Carson Palmer (see what I did there, putting Palmer in the Pro Bowl?). It adds another level of intrigue.
Does it make the game better? Who knows? People still watch it.
Punter Chris Kluwe raised some interesting issues on his Twitter feed. By removing returners, there could be some contract issues because some guys have bonus clauses for making the Pro Bowl. And it isn't as simple as just being added at their "position." Most guys that are special teams players are not premiere players at their offensive or defensive positions.
But what do you think? Do you like the idea of a drafted Pro Bowl team? This next contest will have Jerry Rice and Deion Sanders as the captains, which means Patrick Peterson and Larry Fitzgerald should both be shoo-ins...you would think.
Are you more intrigued, less intrigued or equally intrigued with the changes?
More from Revenge of the Birds:
- 2013 NFL training camp: Jamell Fleming has competition to overcome
- Larry Fitzgerald and how he will be used in the Bruce Arians offense
- 2013 NFL training camp: Predicting the Arizona Cardinals preseason standouts
- ROTB Roundtable: Pre-season, Returners, and Roster Surprises
- Arizona Cardinals rookie Jonathan Cooper feels pressure to succeed
Keep up with Cardinals news and opinions when you are not on the site. Follow Revenge of the Birds on Twitter at @revengeofbirds and "like" us on Facebook. You can follow me individually at @senorjessroot.