Image via Wikipedia
The NFL has quite an interesting concept, called the Pro Bowl.
So, basically, throughout the season the players and fans vote for who they think the best players are, and the top-ranked players get to compete in this Pro Bowl.
It happens the week before the NFL final, the Super Bowl, so any members of the two teams that make the Super Bowl are excused. That’s not that big a deal because there are plenty of good players, there would only be a handful that make the Pro Bowl and the Super Bowl.
I quite like the idea. Effectively, that season’s dream teams compete in a display of the best sporting talent – how could that be a bad idea?
But there’s a problem. Why would anyone actually want to watch the game? I’m sure it would be a good spectacle, but you don’t really support a team there. The two teams playing wouldn’t have any real character, and the originality of the playbook would be limited because the players aren’t with each other day in, day out, learning how they click.
So actually, I’m not sure I like the idea. I far prefer the thought of two traditional rival teams, each with its own established character, facing off for a good, tight, hard-fought game.
It probably is fun to watch.
But bring on the Super Bowl.
Just as a side note, this idea really wouldn’t work at all with real football (i.e. soccer). American football is a genuine team game. You work as a perfect team and win, or you don’t work as a team and you lose. In football, one individual can win or lose a game for the team. Hm. Perhaps that’s a rant for another day.
