Pro Bowl 2012: Why the NFL's Spectacle of Talents Has to Have a Significance

The 2012 Pro Bowl is now in the books, as the question becomes whether or not this event of trick plays, drop-kick extra points and utmost showboating is even worth televising.

Yes, this game featuring the NFL's most talented players has taken a significant turn for the worse in recent years.

As the All-Star Game in Major League Baseball has a meaning behind it, the NFL's Pro Bowl should have one as well. With the lack of effort from players, it inevitably forces the league to have to mix in a motivation for players to play—an extra incentive.

These are two proposed solutions that could be put into play in the NFL's Pro Bowl.

Solution No. 1

If the Pro Bowl were to award the winning conference home-field advantage in the Super Bowl, it would draw a significant amount of attention toward this contest.

As the majority of the players in the Pro Bowl are talents from playoff contending teams, the majority of these superstars would be all the more driven to winning this game for a chance to play at home for an NFL championship.

There are certainly plenty of downfalls to this set-up, including a lack of time for people to prepare the event and a significant advantage for the home team. Yet there is no doubt that it would put the Pro-Bowl on another level.

Solution No. 2

The other, more plausible, solution is to have an All Pro-Bowl MVP, featuring the top players at each position from either team.

It would be a team assembled based on how each Pro Bowler performed in the Pro Bowl. After the game, the team would be announced at midfield and medals would be given to each of the top players at their position.

This wouldn't be the most motivation for a player to go out and try at the Pro Bowl, but it would be a definite incentive that gives recognition for their top play.

Recap

Both solutions are vastly different in their approach, but both are exactly alike in that they promote a purpose being implemented into this meaningless, showboating spectacle.

The Pro Bowl is a sight to see and certainly boasts talent—yet without talents putting forth a decent effort, it becomes increasingly more difficult for fans of the game to watch.