If the Pro Bowl bores you the way it does some others, maybe it's time for a little brainstorming.
Why play a Pro Bowl?
1) Because the other sports do it.
2) Because we recognize that the best teams go to the S**** Bowl, not the best players.
How can we induce the players to play harder?
1) Reduce the risk of injury to near-zero, which is the "payoff" for this game.
2) Offer bigger rewards -- bigger payout, a payout option plan.
3) Do something else besides play a football game.
a) Player profiles -- lifestyle, hobbies. It would be neat to vote on player info, such as "Best Player Cause or Charity." It sounds like more like the NASCAR awards dinner or an image pageant than a true sport, but it might work.
b) Play each other in Madden. Can Madden handle 11-on-11? Might not have to -- keep the non-skill-players virtual.
i) Fun twist -- they don't have to play. They can pick a sub for Madden, some kid from their hometown for instance. Milk it.
ii) Special version of Madden with extreme violence (decap, anyone?) and bounties.
4) Appeal to their professional pride.
