The “Pro Bowl in Miami” doesn’t sound quite right. But that’s because we’re so used to seeing it in Hawaii the week after the Super Bowl. The 2010 Pro Bowl will be the first played prior to the Super Bowl and only the second Pro Bowl played in the same city as the Super Bowl.

I haven’t given this a lot of thought over the years, but it does make sense. The Pro Bowl has been a Hawaii staple for the past 30 years but it’s always something of an afterthought as far as I’m concerned. As much as I love Hawaii (OK, I’ve never been there but I’ve heard good things), the game has little or no interest among even the most hardcore NFL fans. The season is over. It’s enough already. Our thoughts have already turned to the Scouting Combine and Draft. So, adding the game to Super Bowl week should generate a lot more interest in this All-Star contest, even if the teams involved in SBXLIV can’t participate.

As far as those who will be in the running to compete in SBXLIV, it’s only natural to look at the teams with the best records right now and assume they’re going to be just as good in January when the playoffs begin. And to a certain extent, I’d have to agree. The still unbeatens—Minnesota, Denver, Indianapolis and New Orleans—look strong and I believe these teams are “for real” in terms of their continued success. Barring a ton of key injuries, I don’t see any monumental collapses from any of them. But you certainly can’t figure a playoff spot is a given. There are two many one and two loss teams that will challenge in the coming weeks. At the other end of the spectrum, teams like Tennessee, Tampa Bay, St. Louis, Cleveland, Detroit and Kansas City have just three wins among the entire group. They are already looking ahead to next season.

I’m planning on being in South Beach for several days during the week. If you’re considering traveling to be a part of the biggest week of the NFL season, check out Miami Vacation Rentals for a large listing of available accommodations. You can adjust your search criteria to find just the place for your needs.

Not that I’ve started a countdown, but I’ll see you in South Beach January 31.

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Miami Preparing for Pro Bowl, Super Bowl

In a very intriguing turn of events today, the National Football League announced that the Pro Bowl following the 2009 season will be played on Sunday, January 31, 2010 and televised live on ESPN at 8 p.m. ET from Dolphin Stadium in South Florida, also the site of Super Bowl XLIV a week later on Sunday, February 7. The 2010 Pro Bowl will be the first played prior to the Super Bowl and only the second Pro Bowl played in the same city as the Super Bowl. The Los Angeles Coliseum hosted the first Super Bowl on January 15, 1967 and the Pro Bowl the following week. The site and date of Pro Bowl games after 2010 will be determined at a later date and will include playing the game on a rotating basis in Honolulu, Hawaii, host of the NFL’s All-Star game since 1980.

The initiative to experiment with the Pro Bowl schedule and location was discussed over the past two years with NFL club owners, the NFL Players Association, the NFL Player Advisory Council, and other players, and it received wide player and club support. NFL senior VP of events Frank Supovitz explained the reasoning:

“Moving the Pro Bowl to the Sunday prior to the Super Bowl can add even more excitement to Super Bowl week, one of the most anticipated weeks of the year. Taking the Pro Bowl to new locations can showcase our top players to more fans around the country. We are also in discussions with key leaders in Hawaii to continue our partnership with the State of Hawaii, which has embraced the Pro Bowl for 30 years.”

I haven’t given this a lot of thought over the years, but it does make sense. The Pro Bowl will have been a Hawaii staple for the past 30 years after this season’s game and it’s always been something of an afterthought as far as I’m concerned. As much as I love Hawaii (OK, I’ve never been there but I’ve heard good things), the game has little or no interest among even the most hardcore NFL fans. The season is over. It’s enough already. Our thoughts have already turned to the Scouting Combine and Draft. So, adding the game to Super Bowl week should generate a lot more interest in this All-Star contest, even if the teams involved in SBXLIV can’t participate.

Source: NFL Media

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

2010 Pro Bowl to be Played in Miami