In Defense of the Pro Bowl

January 26, 2013; Honolulu, HI, USA; Hall of Fame running back Eric Dickerson (left), hall of fame running back Marcus Allen (center), and NFC running back Adrian Peterson of the Minnesota Vikings (28, right) laugh during the NFC practice on Ohana Day at the 2013 Pro Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

The Pro Bowl gets a lot of grief, so much so that the league is considering making tonight’s game the last one. A lot of people, including a lot of you reading this post, will not be watching the game. I however, will be watching the game tonight, always do watch it, and will be disappointed if it is gone. Here are some thoughts as to why I watch, and some things to keep in mind should you decide to watch the game:

THE PRO BOWL IS NOT THAT DIFFERENT FROM THE OTHER ALL STAR GAMES

If you really think about it, there is a double standard in effect. The biggest knock on the Pro Bowl is the lack of defense. People talk about that it isn’t real football, and they make valid points. Blitzing is forbidden, among other rules that limit the play of defense. Think about the other sports……do we see any defense in the NBA All-Star game? The scores are in the 110s-120s at the very least, sometimes higher, every year. Defense is absent. What about the NHL All-Star game? Since the year 2000, the lowest total number of goals scored was 10. But do we hear about either one of these games being cancelled? No. Why? Because hitting is part of football.

We don’t count the MLB All-Star game because there really is no way to not play defense in baseball.

Here’s the thing, if you watch the Pro Bowl, you can’t go into it expecting to see a regular football game. If you do, you will be disappointed. You have to go into it knowing you are going to watch an offensive skills showcase. If you do that, it’s kind of fun. What’s wrong with watching receivers go up and down the field to make great catches? Guys like Adrian Peterson breaking off big chunks on every run? It’s fun. Is it regular football? Of course not! But it’s just some good clean fun.

WE DON’T HAVE MUCH LEFT

Whether you like the Pro Bowl or not, remember, it also signifies that football is almost over. It used to be the signal that football WAS over, but now, since it is before the Super Bowl, it means we have only one game afterwards. Remember that, diehards, we only have 2 more football games, including tonight, until September. Watching it gives us that much more time with football, you know?

Just food for thought. If you watch it, have fun. If not, enjoy your evening whatever you might be doing, Jet Pressers.