Make the Pro Bowl meaningful

NFL fans across the country might be saying "aloha" to Aloha Stadium soon.

The home of the Pro Bowl, located in Honolulu, Hawaii, will more than likely be empty of any professional football in the next few years.

Last Wednesday, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell stated that the pointless Pro Bowl might be getting a change of scenery in a few years.

"We've been evaluating how we can make the Pro Bowl more exciting for the fans," he said. "One of the ideas, which I would be interested in your reaction to, would be to play the game at the site of the Super Bowl the weekend prior to the Super Bowl. We think this would bring a lot more attention to our great players and the Pro Bowl event."

Finally, the NFL gives its fans an all-star game that might actually be interesting.

Is it just me or is the Pro Bowl not even worth watching anymore?

Perhaps I am the only one that feels this way, but the end of the football season comes when the Vince Lombardi Trophy is given to the victors of the Super Bowl. Case closed. The theatrics known as the Pro Bowl are too little, too late.

If Goodell gets his wish and the Pro Bowl fills in the media week before the Super Bowl, ratings are sure to skyrocket with a game that will feed hungry fans as they wait for the championship to begin.

While the idea seems solid, there are still some problems that do come from having the Pro Bowl the week before the Super Bowl.

Try this scenario on for size. Let's say the Buffalo Bills somehow get their act together and make it to the Super Bowl against the New York Giants. Bills quarterback Trent Edwards, on fire, is voted to represent his conference in the Pro Bowl.

Does he play?

As a Bills fan, I'd hope he wouldn't go near the All-Star Game. A Vince Lombardi trophy is far more appealing than my favorite team's quarterback shining in front of the nation in a game that doesn't matter.

But what if he plays?

Edwards could either have a fantastic outing, or he could end up getting hurt the week before the game of his life. Is that worth it for an All-Star Game that has no implications other than bragging rights?

Not at all.

Why can't the NFL make the Pro Bowl mean something? Major League Baseball has their All-Star Game decide home-field advantage for the World Series.

Why not do that in the NFL?

Forget how it's done now and throw Goodell's idea out the window. Make the Super Bowl that much more super.

Place the Pro Bowl directly after the final week of the regular season, prior to the first week of the playoffs. Let both teams play their hearts out. The victor earns home-field advantage for their conference in the World Championship.

No longer will cold-weather cities lose the opportunity to host a Super Bowl. Instead, the Super Bowl ends up in a city it deserves to be played in.

Now that would spice things up, wouldn't it?