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Stephen HolderESPN
LAS VEGAS — Denver Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain II is about to develop into a second-generation Professional Bowl participant, following within the footsteps of his father and namesake who went to a few Professional Bowls with the Miami Dolphins.
However when the daddy and son examine notes on their respective experiences, they are going to have notably completely different takeaways.
“In comparison with now, the Professional Bowl then was method completely different,” Surtain II stated. “I imply, they have been on the market going full velocity, competing, tackling, hitting. They have been truly attempting to, like, win.”
Now, because the NFL kicks off its reimagined Professional Bowl Video games, the distinction could not be starker. No, this isn’t your father’s Professional Bowl.
After years of harsh criticism over a scarcity of aggressive play within the conventional Professional Bowl recreation, the NFL this yr is transferring to a dramatically completely different format. The precise recreation will probably be changed by a flag soccer recreation on Sunday at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas (3 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN/ESPN+), with the varied abilities competitions tied to the general factors tally that can decide a winner within the AFC vs. NFC matchup.
The adjustments are daring and, maybe, dangerous. However the established order was now not chopping it, the league and gamers agreed.
“The factor that did not really feel nice for the gamers, and for us, was the sport did not really feel on par with the remainder of the video games and the occasions that we do,” stated Peter O’Reilly, NFL government vice chairman for membership enterprise and league occasions. “The week had all the time felt good. The participant expertise, the abilities occasions, the camaraderie. … That is altering the factor that did not really feel nice and did not really feel as much as an NFL customary or our participant customary.”
It’s no secret that in the present day’s gamers, who’ve develop into more and more conscious of their incomes potential and who prioritize staying wholesome, have been notably involved concerning the harm threat in taking part in a further sort out soccer recreation within the identify of enjoyable.
Actually, it isn’t even that latest of an idea. Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers in 2012 ripped the hassle of his fellow Professional Bowlers, saying, “I used to be somewhat bit disenchanted. I felt like a number of the guys on the NFC facet embarrassed themselves.”
The NFL, gamers and the gamers’ union began drilling down on the problem prior to now yr. The emotions expressed and concepts generated by means of a sequence of conferences led to the brand new format.
O’Reilly recalled one dialog wherein Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson stated, “This needs to be a flag recreation. We must always evolve it into that.” It wasn’t the primary time the notion of a flag recreation had been broached, but it surely was one in every of many examples of gamers serving to to form the occasion into its present format.
Washington Commanders receiver Terry McLaurin, who will probably be making his Professional Bowl debut, understands why the standard recreation started to lose its luster. He struggled to get his thoughts across the thought of taking part in a legit sort out recreation a number of weeks after the conclusion of his season, when he wouldn’t be in midseason kind.
“It might be a problem proper now,” he stated. “I have been performing some yoga and Pilates and simply ensuring I nonetheless get an excellent sweat going, however that is it.”
As a result of gamers use the weeks following the season to permit their our bodies to get better and recharge, they don’t seem to be following the sort of intense routines they do in the course of the season.
“You are both going to be rusty or you are going to be inclined to get damage as a result of your physique is so used to figuring out or practising each single day,” McLaurin added. “Your physique is so regimented. So that you can not do something for … near a month, yeah, I feel it would be laborious to go on the market and have success.”
Mentioned New York Jets linebacker C.J. Mosley: “When guys have an entire month off, guys aren’t figuring out and taking good care of their our bodies. There’s all the time the prospect of accidents if you play one other recreation.”
Whereas the NFL expects the format to be effectively acquired, it is very a lot an experiment. Response from followers and gamers will probably be intently monitored.
“We’re undoubtedly going to be taught and it should be a unbelievable alternative to see the way it all involves life,” O’Reilly stated. “That stated, we expect the format’s nice. And we expect it should be a extremely nice expertise. However completely different. Completely completely different. We get that it might not pull the identical [television] score as a standard recreation. It is only a completely different expertise, however that is what we’re going for.”
For that reason, nothing within the present format needs to be thought of everlasting, because the NFL and its gamers will proceed conversations on the again finish to share suggestions.
The talents-competition facet is not new, however the NFL has expanded that a part of the week. Among the new choices this yr: A longest tee shot contest and a lightning spherical that consists of a three-part elimination problem are among the many 9 separate abilities competitions gamers will take part in. The dodgeball occasion returns this yr (10-time Professional Bowl choice Joe Thomas as soon as broached that concept in a gathering with league officers), as does the best-catch competitors.
The largest change, nevertheless, would be the elimination of the standard recreation. It is going to be changed by three flag soccer video games pitting the AFC vs. the NFC, with the groups coached by Peyton and Eli Manning, respectively. Factors from the abilities competitions and first two flag video games will probably be added collectively and would be the rating in the beginning of the third and ultimate flag recreation, which can decide the successful convention.
By eradicating the high-impact collisions which are elementary in sort out video games, there may be an elevated probability gamers will play with extra effort and aggressiveness than we have seen in latest Professional Bowls. Will it’s as thrilling? Who is aware of? But it surely actually might deal with one of many largest issues the Professional Bowl has suffered from.
“I feel guys are going to get after it,” Surtain stated. “I feel it should be a degree up competition-wise. It is the very best of the very best. I simply suppose with everyone going — I would not say full velocity, after all — however up-tempo, you may have enjoyable with it.”
Mentioned McLaurin: “As a competitor, you are going to get my greatest whether or not we’re throwing bean baggage or we have been taking part in an actual soccer recreation. You need to characterize your self effectively whereas even have an excellent time along with your friends. … So, I am trying ahead to no matter they’ve us do. I am undoubtedly going to have enjoyable with it, but in addition, I am not simply going on the market [messing] round.”
ESPN New York Jets reporter Wealthy Cimini contributed to this report.