Once per day, yours truly does a Google news search of “profootballtalk” to see whether any members of the “real” media are calling us bad names. (Roughly three times per week, the answer is “yes.”)
Over the past couple of days we’ve seen in different formats an article from Tony Moss of The Sports Network, in which he lists a few things that the NFL should change.
Though we’re not big on ideas conjured by folks other than, you know, us, we really like Moss’s offering for the improvement of the Pro Bowl experience.
Moss thinks that the league should “form a Pro Bowl selection committee of no more than five people who cover the league nationally but have no discernable agenda, including but not limited to Peter King (Sports Illustrated), John Clayton or Len Pasquarelli (ESPN), Mike Florio (profootballtalk.com, The Sporting News), Adam Schefter (NFL Network) and someone from FOX or CBS or NBC who knows what they’re doing, to make the picks.”
Tony, I don’t know you, but I already love you. Not that way. (Not that there would be anything wrong with it if I did. Except for the fact that I’m married.)
Anyway, we like the idea on the surface, especially since it would give yours truly a seat at the grown-ups’ table. Then again, it would actually require me to expend effort, so maybe it’s not such a good idea, after all.
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May 15th, 2008 at 6:02 pm
Terrible idea. I value sportswriters opinions no more than the average fan who votes on a website. If they want to do it right, it should be players and coaches only deciding on who goes to the pro-bowl. Doesn’t really matter anyway, because nobody cares about the pro-bowl.
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Rating: 3 / 5 with 4 rating(s)
May 15th, 2008 at 6:08 pm
Mike,
I hope you’re using Google News Alerts to be notified instantly when profootballtalk.com is mentioned and not actually ’searching’.
Sorry - it’s the nerd in me.
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Rating: 3.75 / 5 with 4 rating(s)
May 15th, 2008 at 6:12 pm
I’d say let Pat Kirwan and Vic Carucci in on it.
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Rating: 3.5 / 5 with 2 rating(s)
May 15th, 2008 at 6:23 pm
Here is an idea I like: I think I first heard it here about a year ago. Expand the season to 17 games with the extra in a neutral spot. That place would be Los Angeles. With so many of us here loyal fans of teams from around the country it would sellout every weekend and would bring NFL back to LA. The games would only be AFC vs NFC so no one would lose important division games. Florio you are now being read by everyone in the NFL. Push your idea.
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May 15th, 2008 at 6:27 pm
I hope you know a lawyer, because you may need it after you meet pasta-belly for the first time.
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Rating: 1.5 / 5 with 2 rating(s)
May 15th, 2008 at 6:34 pm
Florio doesn’t have an agenda??? Uh, may I introduce “The Turd Watch”??? Not that this idea will ever sprout wings, but if it did … can you imagine anyone who was busted this offseason for anything getting Florio’s vote??? Let’s say Michael Boley goes all ape shit this year and gets 200+ tackles, 12 sacks, 5 picks, 5 fumble recoveries and returns a couple of those picks/FR’s for TD’s. Would Florio vote him to the Pro Bowl??? HELL NO!!! All b/c Boley and his wife had an incident between them and he was arrested. How about Lofa Tatupa, already a Pro Bowl caliber LB, has a similar type season, would Florio vote him in??? Nope. tatupa just got a dewey. What if Leinart came out this year and threw for 4500 & 35 TD’s??? Even though he hasn’t been busted for anything his party and that baggage would keep him off Florio’s ballot.
Every one of those writers listed has an agenda. The system is fine the way it is. The game doesn’t matter anyways.
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Rating: 4.55 / 5 with 7 rating(s)
May 15th, 2008 at 6:42 pm
Agree with previous commenters — Peter King would have nothing but former Bill Parcells asst coaches players cause the man cut his teeth in NY and thinks that Parcells is the NFL — its a fact.
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May 15th, 2008 at 6:43 pm
It would be nice to see some deserving player from the NFC play. Instead of the popularity contest of 24 Cowboys going.
Whoever said “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it” is not watching the same Pro Bowl selections I am.
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Rating: 3 / 5 with 1 rating(s)
May 15th, 2008 at 6:51 pm
Media members without a discernible agenda? Isn’t that an oxymoron?
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Rating: 4.5 / 5 with 2 rating(s)
May 15th, 2008 at 7:08 pm
I dont think the cryptkeeper thing actually is what got Salsbury fired, not if they wouldnt fire him for the cellphone/camera thing.
I believe Salsbury was on thin ice over things like what Florio reported, but that his continued pro-Patriots status sealed his fate…Those who have joined BSPN since his departure have demonstrated flamboyant anti Pats status, guys like M.Wiley&C.Carter.
ESPN has a flamboyant anti-Patriots agenda as an org, apparent to me ever since I observed their manner of reporting upon the 2001-02 Raiders/Patriots div playoff game, brainwashing America into focusing upon 1play, the tuck, while simultaneously only acknowledging the antiPats1/2 of it. I have watched that game and play many times…C.Woodson got away with putting his hand on Bradys face before the fumble/tuck came loose. Thats an automatic 1st down which if seen by the refs should negate the play regardless of whether its a fumble/tuck…BSPNs coverage of that game is what made this country start to hate and discredit BBs Patriots.
Berman is really the only one they have who hasnt attacked tha Pats at one pt or another.
Regarding this actual story, the current PB voting system has got to go..There have been so many wrong choices regarding the PB over the last 8yrs its insulting. J.Woods going ahead of Rodney Harrison in 2003-04…Rodney was a bigger force in 03-04 than Bob Sanders was in 07-08, just compare their numbers…LT had a 1600rushing and 100rec season that yr and also didnt make it…Then guys like J.Lynch make 3-4 more than they deserve because of reputation. With the exception of the occasional obvious freak OL like Willie Roaf at his best, most fans arent capable of determining the off linemen who deserve, or the FB…Ty Warrne and Asante Samuel missed the PB in 06-07, that was just too much. Asante finished with 10ints that yr plus another 2int tds in playoffs yet didnt go, and Warren had outperformed Seymour all yr but Seymour went ahead.. Im a Patsfan, but even I will proclaim that Kerry Rhodes of the NYJ deserved to go to Hawaii way more than A.Bethea did last yr.
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Rating: 5 / 5 with 1 rating(s)
May 15th, 2008 at 7:09 pm
I’m not comfortable with ANY of those mentioned as talent evaluators. Good at reporting rumors and whatnot but actually knowing talent on the field is another.
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Rating: 3.35 / 5 with 3 rating(s)
May 15th, 2008 at 7:15 pm
I like some of the other ideas in that article too.
They mention making the referees full-time employees, which is genius.
They say something about expanding the playoffs, not sure how i feel on this one.
The one I really disagree with is about shortening preseason. I know every fan hates preseason, but these preseason games are vital for some players to make the team. What I feel they should do is air the games instead so everyone can see them, live though, not like on the NFLN.
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Rating: 2 / 5 with 1 rating(s)
May 15th, 2008 at 7:32 pm
It should be players, position coaches, head coaches with 25% of the vote to the fans. Every line coach in the NFL should be asked to vote for lineman only, OC’s only vote for offensive players. Head Coaches vote for entire teams, and these coaches should not be allowed to pick their own players.
Journalists do not study guard play closely enough to accurately vote…
What does florio really know about guard technique, etc.?
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Rating: 1 / 5 with 1 rating(s)
May 15th, 2008 at 7:42 pm
Thats a horrible idea because the entire NFC starting lineup would Redskins. It would be great for Jason Campbell since it is the only way that he would make the pro bowl. Instead why not have the head coaches from each team post their picks for the pro bowl? Sports writers have become ego maniacs and often favor certain players or teams. Peter King for instance has a man crush on Tony Romo but still refuses to give Eli Manning any credit because he spent the past two years bashing him and now looks like a fool.
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May 15th, 2008 at 8:07 pm
maybe arlen specter will serve on the commitee.
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May 15th, 2008 at 8:32 pm
BRH - Explain why Art Monk does not deserve to be in the HOF.
Please use your own words.
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Rating: 4.5 / 5 with 2 rating(s)
May 15th, 2008 at 8:33 pm
When Florio can rid himself of the 1990 hair cut and self honor than maybe.
I don’t believe reporters should be involved with any voting at all. especially the HOF.
Fans should count as a 1/2%.
Leave it to the real pros. I don’t know. the guys who have billions to support the teams… (note exception Green Bay) no one has billions there. Just Beer, lots of owners and good times.
I am also glad this is not another story about the PATS and Spygate. How freaking boring. Pats Suck…..
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Rating: 5 / 5 with 2 rating(s)
May 15th, 2008 at 9:11 pm
I nominate John Tomase as he’ll need the work.
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May 15th, 2008 at 9:14 pm
Another nerd chiming in on Google News Alerts. Bag the searching every day on Google, you can set it up to find PFT mentions in the news, on blogs, on the web in general…basically anytime anyone even thinks about typing “profootballtalk” you’ll know about it.
That said, the idea is ok but more important to me personally is having the voting open until the end of the season. All too often you’ll have a ‘late bloomer’ or worse, the opposite who royally screws up in Week 15 and sinks their teams chances of going to the playoffs.
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May 15th, 2008 at 9:26 pm
Its a great idea but it should be Florio, Easterbrook, MDS, Peter King and Schein.
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May 15th, 2008 at 9:32 pm
Sorry Mike but that list is borderline retarded… King has his lips attached so firmly to Parcells butt, when Bill farts, Peter bloats. Adam, who have known as a friend in the past, knew nothing outside the Broncos as of a few years ago. I am sure that has changed, but some one who breaks down the game like Dr. Z would be a better choice. John Clayton seems like a good choice but Len is another that is a coach kissing, info begging, horrible choice no matter how good his knowledge is.
The fact is NO MEDIA can ever be unbiased, if you help out certain teams/coaches you will get better access/inside info. That will help you with your job going forward so is impossible on its face.
The concept is better than having idiots/fans pick because it should not be a popularity contest.
It should be done in secret by a committee of media/scouts not unlike the hall of fame ballot where arguments are made and discussions are held before votes are tallied.
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May 15th, 2008 at 9:56 pm
More people have viewed this thread than have actually watched the Pro Bowl.
Is this really a premonition or just a newbie namedropping to get some pub? Whatev.. it worked.
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Rating: 4.65 / 5 with 3 rating(s)
May 15th, 2008 at 10:08 pm
That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard. Why don’t we place a list of all NFL players in front of the “tic tac toe” playing chicken in NYC’s Chinatown, and let him pick the players? I think that’d be a better way than this cluster****.
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Rating: 3.5 / 5 with 2 rating(s)
May 15th, 2008 at 10:53 pm
The best part of the Hall of Fame selection process and the Pro Bowl process is that no one who’s in charge of it knows anything at all. The only people who do are the people who post on PFT.
Nevermind 20+ years of covering the league (in some cases) and speaking to those on the inside, everyone on that list of nominees is stupid and has no clue.
I think it’s a strong list of nominees, and despite everyone else on here, I see no reason why any of them would have some kind of hidden agenda. Sports are ultimately subjective anyway, regardless of let’s not make it more than what it is.
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Rating: 3 / 5 with 2 rating(s)
May 15th, 2008 at 11:01 pm
horrible, horrible idea…
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