NFL Pro Bowl Voting 2011: Process Is a Joke Because Game Is a Farce

In case anyone cares, I voted for Rob Gronkowski at tight end in the AFC, duh. Despite the injury, I still voted for Matt Forte at RB in the NFC, but it doesn't really matter because the Pro Bowl is a joke.

Voting for the Pro-Bowl is like voting for Marlon Brando as best actor, even if he wins, you know he won't show for the ceremony. The Pro-Bowl routinely delivers only a small percentage of the players voted as starters. This poor turnout is due to injury and players just flat denying the invitation.

The physical nature of the sport makes the extra game a huge injury risk, especially since NFL contracts are not guaranteed. For example, Forte is in the midst of a contract battle with the Chicago Bears, in which he is currently nursing a injured knee back to health. Though he may play at the end of the season, or in the playoffs, if the Bears make it there, he won't be 100 percent.

Do you think he'll show up in Honolulu for a Pro-Bowl selection? How about no. There needs to be some other type of attraction, as opposed to a second rate game, where nobody plays defense.

I'd rather see a skills challenge, where we see who has the strongest arm, a NFL's fastest man race or an obstacle course. You may laugh, but that would get more attention than watching Matt Ryan duel it out with Ryan Fitzpatrick, because Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees, Tom Brady and Ben Roethlisberger didn't show.

At least we know these events are an exhibition. What furthers the insanity was the brilliant idea to have the game take place before the Super Bowl.

Really?

So now, lets say for instance the Packers go to the Super Bowl as expected and take on the Patriots. That automatically eliminates Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady from the game.

That is terrible. The NFL needs to do something to make the game relevant, or get rid of it. Would anyone really miss it?