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You might not know it, but the NFL Pro Bowl is taking place today in Honolulu. Of the four major American sports, the NFL is the only one to play its All-Star game *after* the Championship game or series. And of the four, it’s probably the least exciting and least memorable. (I’m sure it’s not the least watched, hockey’s got that one covered). Why so boring?

*There’s nothing to play for. there’s no Super Bowl home-team advantage at stake like in baseball, no conference pride or personal glory like in basketball and hockey. The only thing football players get is an extra paycheck and a salary bonus if it’s written into the contract.

*Related to the above, there’s no good coaching. Since the coaching staffs are comprised of the teams that lost the AFC and NFC conference championships, some would argue that the coaches are bitter about the losses fresh in their mind which undoubtedly came at the expense of players they must now “coach”. Players who have played for 16 games in one system must now switch to another. Hence, defense is a rarity in the Pro Bowl, and players are largely playing just to not get hurt.

*It’s not an event. Basketball, baseball, and hockey build All-Star Weekends around the game: rookie vs. sophomore games, slam dunk, home run, and skills contests. Each of these is a celebration of the sport as well as the players: the closest the NFL has is the buildup and anticipation during Super Bowl media week. The NFL does do this sort of thing, but they’re aired on the little-seen NFL network, and if shown, is shown at odd hours.

So why play it? Instead, have a players retreat in Hawaii the week *before* the Super Bowl. Show the beach tag/flag football, or skills events, maybe a rookie/sophomore tug of war. Coaches playing in the SB would undoubtedly hold their players from attending, but that’s OK. Still have the selection process: the moniker Pro Bowler means something even if the game doesn’t.

Or maybe, stealing from Hollywood’s award season hoopla, make an NFL awards show. Nominees for best player at each position and others, like best offensive line, best play, etc.) come out the tuesday after the end of the regular season. The awards show proper could be Saturday before the SB, or a week before/after. It’d be glitzy, hosted by some C-list comedian.

Like you wouldn’t watch.

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Filed by Adam College at 7:29 pm under Uncategorized
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In the wake of a myriad of doping scandals in this years Tour de France, it’s nice to see someone like Geoffrey Wheatcroft put it all in perspective. This is short expository at is best.

The eclipse of French cycling, combined with this other
dégringolade, the cascade of doping scandals, might seem to make the
Tour a reflection of the malaise and morosité that have supposedly been
afflicting France. Yet plenty of visitors to France may wonder what the
French have really got to be morose about.

Here is a country with superb roads and railroads, glorious cities
and landscape, and food and wine that don’t need my praise. That’s not
to mention an excellent health service, or industrial productivity
quite as high per hour worked as it is in the United States (it’s just
that the French don’t care to devote quite so much of their lives to
working as the Americans).

Maybe the Tour should look at France as its image, rather than the other way round.

I’m in awe.

The Tour de France in mourning - International Herald Tribune

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Filed by Adam College at 1:41 pm under Everything Else
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