Two of the four major professional sports will showcase their most prestigious talents today with the NHL All-Star Game and the NFL Pro Bowl. I still believe that while it has fallen in the ranks of most-watched professional sport, the
Two of the four major professional sports will showcase their most prestigious talents today with the NHL All-Star Game and the NFL Pro Bowl.
I still believe that while it has fallen in the ranks of most-watched professional sport, the MLB All-Star Game is still the best of the four. Much of that has to do with the fact that it feels like a real game. Guys are playing the same way they do on any other night and unless someone decides to put in a Roger Dorn-like effort, everyone plays hard and tries their best.
(Although there is still some suspicion hanging over that Chan Ho Park grooved fastball to Cal Ripken Jr. in 1991.)
The NBA All-Star Game is typically three-and-a-half quarters of highlight attempts — which are still fun — until the competitive juices start flowing and players buckle down defensively for the final six minutes.
The Pro Bowl is the biggest reward of the four, since the participants get to come out to Hawai‘i for a full week or more. (We’ll forget about that little tryst it just had with Miami. That never happened.) But the game itself uses different rules and players are much more focused on staying injury-free than the numbers showing on the scoreboard.
While the O‘ahu party atmosphere and excuse to tailgate are major draws, it would be nice if the game itself was worth all the hoopla.
The NHL seems to be the most open of any sport when considering new ways to improve its product. Perhaps being the runt of the litter among the big boys has something to do with that, but whatever the reasons, its risks are paying off.
Hockey’s All-Star Game changed up its formula this year by getting rid of the East-West teams, or the North America vs. the World gimmick. This time, it had two captains who then drafted their respective teams from among the list of All-Stars. It’s a playground tactic that has breathed new life into the old system.
So now the teams have been divided up evenly (ideally) and players may have a little more to prove. More than anything, it just gives a different wrinkle that should keep fans interested, while possibly bringing in curious outsiders who wouldn’t have bothered otherwise.
Football showed this year that is seems to be more willing to adapt than in the past, with the new suspension rules for brutal hits instituted mid-season, as well as the change to the overtime format for playoff games. Now it needs to make the Pro Bowl more entertaining.
What are some ways it can accomplish this?
It’s never going to feel like baseball and appear to be a truly competitive football game, because nothing is at stake and football is so much more physical. So the NFL may as well think outside the box and go in the complete opposite direction.
First of all, I’d slash much of the wasted time between plays by limiting the play clock to just 20 seconds. I know this will lead to far more plays being run and could increase the chance of injury, so they can counter-balance it by playing just 10-minute quarters instead of 15.
For one thing, it would speed up the game. It would also create more of a sandlot football mentality. We’d get to see much more improvisation going on, which, when you have the best players in the world on the field, should lead to plenty of exciting circumstances.
Secondly, I’d say that any pass thrown has to go at least 10 yards past the line of scrimmage. If we’re not allowing defenses to blitz, then quarterbacks shouldn’t be able to stand back in the pocket undaunted, only to dump the ball off to the running back for a three-yard gain. I’ve seen that before.
Make these guys move the ball down the field. Let’s see if the most accurate throwers in the game can find even smaller windows to fit the ball into, when those linebackers are sitting back in coverage.
Thirdly, if you cross the 50-yard line, you are not allowed to punt the ball. If it’s 4th and 7 at the 45, the coach has to either go for it, or trot his kicker out for a 62-yard attempt. No battles of field position. Let’s see what kind of legs the league really has.
Fourthly, field goals have different values. Just like the addition of the three-point shot in basketball, now field goals beyond 40 yards are worth four points, those beyond 50 are worth five and anything 60-plus is worth 10 points. Conversely, anything less than 40 yards is only worth one point. It’s 4th and Goal from the 8? Go for the end zone or take the chip shot for one measly point.
Finally, for the final two quarters of the game, I’m installing the make it, take it philosophy from pick-up basketball. If a team scores a touchdown in the second half, it doesn’t have to kick off. It just starts another offensive series at its own 20-yard line. This way, a large lead is never safe. The AFC may be down 31-10, but Peyton Manning could play offense for the entire second half.
There’s really no reason not to try out some funky ideas. It’s an exhibition game that’s biggest draws are the weather and atmosphere. I’m pretty certain Commissioner Goodell is at least in the state today so, Mr. Commissioner, if you happen upon this column, please consider some of these remedies.
Oh, and pretty, pretty please try to avoid this impending lockout.
Mahalo.
