2011 NFL Pro Bowl might be last one

The time may finally, at long last, have come. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said the NFL Pro Bowl might end as soon as this season.

He cited the poor performance of players and the apathy of fans toward the lackluster event as reason enough to end the yearly event.

There is already a TV contract in place to carry the game, so a play date exists.

However, no location has been chosen since the game is up in the air.

I saw this on my Facebook wall early Thursday morning, and I think several of the comments were spot on as to what should replace the Pro Bowl.

The NFL should take an elite sampling of NFL players, name them Pro Bowlers, then have them compete in skills competitions.

Let some QBs throw footballs at moving targets and through tires. Have lineman bench press and run shuttle drills.

Have linebackers run an obstacle course. Defensive backs could compete in some form of light-contact jump ball battle.

Running backs could do an obstacle course, and receivers could do similar catch drills as what already appears during the combine.

Such skills competitions already exist in some forms, but such a large organization as the NFL would have no problem making it a big, entertaining spectacle.

Players could even compete in other events, but no tug-of-war, as it was already dropped due to player safety concerns.

There is absolutely no reason to continue to play the Pro Bowl, but the players could still have a competition and put on a show for fans.

The NFL could still have the event in Hawaii or some other vacation spot to keep the players happy. I would jump at the opportunity to compete in such an event WHILE being on vacation.

J.R. Tidwell is sports editor for The Franklin County Times. He can be reached at (256) 332-1881, ext. 31.