Yea, most of them aren't participating because they got too badly wrecked playing in the NFC Championship game. Can't say I blame them.
And a little off-topic, but wanted to add some thoughts on the Pro Bowl, and why we're seeing this more and more every year. The Pro Bowl is cool, just not in current form. To really get back to what it should be, and be an event players want to participate in, several changes need to happen. I say this from several years of attending the Pro Bowl and surrounding events in Hawaii.
- The event needs to be a bigger paycheck for both winners and losers, but especially winners. Take the penalty money over the year, or some of the ad or merchandise revenue and really make the bonuses something to write home to Mom about. Players making a ridiculous amount of money aren't going to want to suit up for an extra few thousand for a game that doesn't mean jack squat. Make the monetary incentive interesting. Give extra bonuses for TDs, INTs, and other such in-game goals. Really make them think twice about turning it down.
- Put more onus on winning the game. No one wants to see a slug-fest where a bunch of players get injured, but everyone wants to see a competitive competition where the stakes are at least a little higher, and the game actually means something. The NHL and MLB have done something like this, where the winner of the All Star contest gets to be the home team for the finals; maybe something similar can be worked for the NFL. Maybe not moving the site of the Super Bowl, especially as there'd be no time to do so, but some kind of competitive edge for the conference. Maybe the winning conference in the Pro Bowl hosts all inter-conference games the next year. That would be a serious motivator, and one that would have rooting interest for fans. It appears to be four games a year per team, which seems like a pretty reasonable structure to accommodate. In fact, if you really wanted to raise the stakes, simply give the winning conference one extra home game against the losing conference, giving them nine at home and seven on the road. That'd really light a fire under them.
- Make it profitable for teams to get in. Maybe work in a lottery-style extra draft pick or two, based on players suited up for the Pro Bowl. Every player gives their team one extra shot at a lottery drawing for a special third-round draft pick. Winning players maybe get one extra shot per player. Really give it some incentive. Name the player whose entry actually won the draft pick for their team. Highlight them during the draft. That could tie it neatly into the draft, which would be a pretty cool tie-in and more add publicity and validation to the game.
- Keep it in Hawaii. That's part of what makes it so special. It's an island paradise getaway for them, some fun in the sun and sand. A chance to relax and unwind in a tropical venue, while being lauded as the best at their profession. Make it even more so and keep it so. No one, as a participant, wants the Pro Bowl to bounce around from venue to venue, where one year could be "Welcome to the Pro Bowl in Detroit, immediately following the live action Hunger Games Competition," the next, "Welcome to the Pro Bowl in Buffalo, brought to you by L. L. Bean's new Antarctic Winter Line, you'll need them this week," and the one after that, "Welcome to the Pro Bowl in Arizona, featuring the all-new Catch-A-Rattler speed drill." No one wants that. Period.
Those three things came readily to mind, but there are a lot of different tweaks that can be done to make the Pro Bowl more exciting, much more than the marketing ploys they're trying now. How cute that a couple of ex-players are choosing teammates like a old schoolyard match. Yay for them. But besides a little glossy advertising, it doesn't do jack and squat for the game. If you want to supe it up, make it really worth the effort, think outside the box. Think of what will really motivate players and teams to want to come out and compete in it.
