Mike McCarthy and his coaching staff are beginning the arduous process of trying to convince the NFC Pro Bowlers that Sunday's game is worth more than a token, if that, effort. Last year's Pro Bowl was embarrassing, and at the end of the day, it's on the league and not the coaches. If the guys aren't going to play reasonably hard, do away with the game.
Wasn't always that way. Yours truly had the privilege of playing in two Pro Bowls during the early 80's and at one point yours truly was scolded by a pro bowl veteran for cut-blocking defensive linemen. Yours truly's response was when they stop rushing the passer, then I'll stop cutting them.
The two coaches I played for were Bill Walsh and Tom Landry. Walsh was different in a sophisticated sense. He said with our collection of offensive talent, we could put on a quote, scintillating, display. Never heard a coach use the word scintillating before, or since.
Landry had a lot more personality than I anticipated. At halftime of a close game, he told us we were playing for five extra grand and a lot of rest. Times have sure changed money-wise, but we did win the game and the five extra grand.
Both games were played at a pretty good tempo, and while one was a blowout, we won 45 to 3, the other was close, and the intensity grew throughout the course of a 20-to-19 win for the NFC.
Being voted into the game by your peers means something, and so should the game itself.
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