Pro Bowl Thoughts

Some housekeeping:
The recent rumors that the New York Jets are exploring the possibility of trading cornerback Darrelle Revis are basically crap. Besides the stupidity of trading the best corner in football, how do you trade a player coming off a torn ACL? This is simply another example of the media creating a story where there isn't a story.  Some mail room slappy probably wondered aloud what the Jets could get in a trade and a media slappy ran with it. Super Bowl, Senior Bowl, Hall of Fame elections, even the Pro Bowl. There's enough football to discuss without poking fun at a dysfunctional football team.

Reinstating former New Orleans Saints defensive idiot Gregg Williams is a mistake. He's the clown behind the Saints bounty fiasco and should never see another football field.

On to the Pro Bowl:
I vote for the Pro Bowl moving back to the week following the Super Bowl. The participants from the Super Bowl deserve the opportunity to join in the fun.

NFC 62
AFC 35
The NFC now leads the series 22-21.

Despite the crazy score, the effort in this edition of the AFC-NFC Pro Bowl was much better than the joke that was on display last year. It was more like the game that I've watched over the past 35 years. A pick-up football game simply played for the fun of it.

One of the best things that takes place during the week in Hawaii is the players meeting and getting to know the players from other teams. Seeing Adrian Peterson and Drew Brees chatting on the sideline was cool. Hearing about Peyton Manning talking to everyone during the week is what makes the whole event great. It's what Manning has always enjoyed most about the game and I imagine that the other players feel the same. It's probably the best meet and greet that the NFL has to offer.

"Yes, there are penalties at the Pro Bowl" -Ed Hochuli

Pretty funny to see Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt split out wide on OFFENSE. Peyton Manning threw to him but it was off Watt's finger tips. The AFC repeated the stunt at the end of the game. Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul was covering him and ended up with an interception. I doubt that the Texans incorporate this in the playbook.

It was another strange scene at the start of the AFC's third possession. There was Green Bay Packers center Jeff Saturday's blue NFC jersey in the huddle with 10 players in AFC jerseys.  As much as I didn't think that Saturday should even be selected for the game it was cool to see him take one last snap with Peyton Manning.

One player that's starting to get some much deserved attention is Arizona Cardinals linebacker Daryl Washington. I really liked him coming out of TCU in the 2010 NFL Draft and I hoped that he'd end up in Minnesota. He made this Pro Bowl and he'll be in many more. With corner Patrick Peterson, the Cardinals have a couple of outstanding, young defensive playmakers.

Another excellent, young defensive player is Chicago Bears defensive tackle Henry Melton. He'll also make frequent postseason trips to Hawaii. Melton will be a free agent in a few weeks. I'd love to see him land in Minnesota. At the very least, it'd be nice to see him leave Chicago but I can't imagine the Bears letting him get away.

Minnesota Vikings rookie tackle Matt Kalil made his first Pro Bowl appearance at the end of the first quarter. Miami Dolphins defensive end Cameron Wake blew by him for a sack to end a promising drive. The announcers were saying that Kalil's late Friday arrival in Hawaii as the possible reason for him being a step slow. I'd say that his playing on the right side of the line was a bigger reason.

I couldn't help but notice that Kalil and his Vikings teammate Kyle Rudolph were the only NFC players to make any kind of effort to catch Derrick Johnson on his interception return for a touchdown. Perhaps that effort was due to them being in their first Pro Bowl and they didn't know any better.

I loved the NFC running back pairing of Adrian Peterson and Marshawn Lynch. The AFC defense probably hated it.

No surprise that New York Giants receiver Victor Cruz came alive when Eli Manning entered the game.

Seeing some of these pass rushing, 3-4 linebackers trying to cover tight ends and backs is reason enough to change the selection process for linebackers. These "linebackers" don't do cover very well. These players are forced to play a position in the Pro Bowl that they simply don't play during the season. True outside linebackers like Chad Greenway and Lance Briggs are overshadowed by the glitzy sack stats of the 3-4 guys. Those sack guys should go in as defensive ends. Rushing the passer is what got them to Hawaii. Let them rush the passer, even as stand up ends.

It was great to see Vikings fullback Jerome Felton get a touchdown. Fullbacks rarely get any glory. They just do the dirty work. Felton was a big part of Peterson's incredible 2,097-yard season. He deserves all the recognition this game and that touchdown gives him.

Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier might have had a heart attack when Adrian Peterson went in on punt coverage in the fourth quarter.

Congratulations to Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph on taking home the MVP award. 5 catches, 122 yards and a touchdown. Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson tried to throw him a second touchdown but Doug Martin stole it from him.

Happy Birthday Cris Collinsworth. I remember him playing in the Pro Bowl.

Now, the Super Bowl can begin.