PFT: Pro Bowl ratings explode/McKinnie forces Diehl, Peters to play entire Pro Bowl

[WoodysGirl]

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on February 1, 2010 12:22 PM ET

Joke about the Pro Bowl all you want -- we did plenty last night -- but this new format may be here to stay.

The overnight ratings for the Pro Bowl are in, and they are sky high. ESPN got a 7.9 rating, 39% higher than last year's game which had the advantage of being on NBC, which reaches more homes.

ESPN had the advantage of playing the game in primetime, but the number is a coup for the network. The rating was more than double what it was the last time the Pro Bowl was on ESPN.

No matter the reasons, Commissioner Roger Goodell can point to the ratings and attendance at last night's game as proof that moving the game up a week was a success. (Sure, the crowd often acted like they were at a funeral. But nearly all the seats were full in the first quarter. The fourth quarter, not so much.)

Goodell said Saturday that the league may keep the Pro Bowl on the Sunday before the Super Bowl next year in Hawaii. After these ratings, we'd be surprised if it didn't happen.

And with that, we will stop talking about the Pro Bowl for a long time.

McKinnie forces Diehl, Peters to play entire Pro Bowl

Posted by Evan Silva on February 1, 2010 12:28 PM ET
The NFL kicked Vikings left tackle Bryant McKinnie off the Pro Bowl roster on Saturday, and didn't replace him. Thus, Giants left tackle David Diehl and Philadelphia's Jason Peters were forced to play more. A lot more.

Diehl and Peters were both in for every single one of the NFC's 62 offensive snaps on Sunday night.


Diehl wasn't upset by his admittedly unexpected full-time role in the meaningless game.


"This is something you wanted to do when you were a kid," the first-time Pro Bowler said. "I'm honored to be here. Granted I wasn't expecting to play the whole game, but I got here doing it as a Giant, being a blue collar guy. I'm not in the condition I was in during the football season, but when you're called upon, you do it."


Diehl's attitude is refreshing, and the complete opposite of McKinnie's.


Forced to compensate for McKinnie's absence with no backup on the three-deep offensive tackle depth chart, Diehl and Peters are also lucky they didn't get hurt

 

[CF74]

Meh they should have brought in some last minute replacements...

 

[superpunk]

Yeah that's the issue. The format sucks, the super bowl players and alot of others aren't attending, and it's an even worse all-around game than it was before...

...but because of it's positioning it will get ratings. It's gonna stick around.

 

[WoodysGirl]

This Pro Bowl Schedule Might Work
Posted by nickeatman at 2/1/2010 3:19 AM CST on truebluefanclub.com

Like most of you, my initial reaction when I learned about the Pro Bowl moving up before the Super Bowl wasn’t too favorable. I think more than anything, no one really likes significant change if they don’t feel the old way is a problem.

But being here in Miami for the last few days, and then watching the game Sunday night, I’m not sure this isn’t the best spot after all.

I know the biggest argument is the Super Bowl guys. These players have had the best season of anyone else and they’re not getting rewarded for it. But I think there are ways around that. In fact, most of the Pro Bowl players were there on the sideline Sunday night. From the sound of things, just hanging out with the guys is the best part anyway.

But when I heard NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell’s reasoning on the Pro Bowl coming before the Super Bowl, I have to agree. He believes the pinnacle of sports should be at the end with nothing else behind it. I agree with that. You play out the season with one goal in mind. When you reach that point, it’s over.

And if you think about it, there was much more talk about the Pro Bowl this year than in any previous season that I can remember.

I guess we can wait and see what the TV ratings look like, but at the attendance (70,697) was great, the highest total since 1959.

So while I wasn’t too sure about this idea at first, I did want to wait and see how it turned out. And now that it’s over, I don’t think it’s too bad. It keeps the momentum of the season going without dragging along too bad.

 

[viman96]

I have to admit to liking the energy around the game. I just do not think it will carry over for the future games. I do not like how a lot of players drop out and other players make the PB that would not have otherwise. It cheapens the accomplishment.

 

[WoodysGirl]

Diehl goes the distance in Pro Bowl
February, 1, 2010 Feb 1 12:00PM ET

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By Matt Mosley

New York Giants left tackle David Diehl was thrilled to be added to the NFC Pro Bowl squad, but he hadn't planned on playing every snap. Diehl and Eagles offensive tackle Jason Peters went the distance in last night's 41-34 loss to the AFC, in part, because Vikings left tackle Bryant McKinnie was kicked off the team for skipping practices. At least one of Diehl's teammates -- Cowboys cornerback Terence Newman -- said he would petition the league so that the offensive tackle would receive the $45,000 winners' share.

McKinnie should be embarrassed by his actions. Had he simply come up with an injury or "personal reason," the NFC could've added another offensive tackle. Instead, McKinnie made the trip to South Florida and then decided to skip the practice sessions. And with the laidback approach during Pro Bowl week, it's not like McKinnie would've been taxed.

"I can’t speak for him,” Diehl said. “But I know a lot of guys are upset and I know guys that are on the Vikings, especially the guys here, they’re here for everything -- the team stuff and everything. You’re out here for the guys next to you. You’re out here trying to give yourself the best opportunity to win the game."

Something tells me that McKinnie will lose some votes from coaches and players next season no matter how he performs on the field. And I think that would be an appropriate response.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Something tells me that McKinnie will lose some votes from coaches and players next season no matter how he performs on the field. And I think that would be an appropriate response.

New unwritten rule - BAN HIM!

 

[DFWJC]

Can't stand the format...really hate the idea that would have no representatives from the tow top teams--yet would have them required to be there (and away from their teams) for exposure's sake. But for sheer ratings, you could have bet this would help. The fans are starved for football the "dead' weekend before the Super Bowl. The week after the SB, we are starting to look forward and don't care quite so much.

The game is a joke either way.

 

[Hostile]

Pro Bowl's television ratings increase after move 2/1/2010 1:21:47 PM

The Associated Press reports The Pro Bowl's television ratings increased after it moved to a new date.

The NFL's all-star game moved from after the Super Bowl to before it this year.

Sunday's game on ESPN averaged a 7.9 overnight rating, which measures the country's largest markets. The 2009 game on NBC, in an earlier time slot, drew a 5.7 overnight rating.

 

[TellerMorrow34]

I wouldn't be surprised, at all, if this keeps BM from ever getting voted there again. He might get alot of fan vote, cause that's how it goes, but I won't be shocked if the coaches and players take notice of this and refuse to give him the nod again.

 

[Jarv]

Anyone notice that Diehl really wasn't blocking for Romo ? Its like he wanted to Romo get popped.

 

[Doomsday101]

Anyone notice that Diehl really wasn't blocking for Romo ? Its like he wanted to Romo get popped.

I noticed allot of guys on both team, offense and defensive lines going through the motions. Ratliff and Ware were not attacking. I think as it got late in the game the AFC started to attack more to win the extra cash

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Diehl didn't play the whole game. He quit when Romo came in.

 

[dallascowboyfanboy]

Diehl didn't play the whole game. He quit when Romo came in.

lmao- Pro Bowl Conspiracies!

 

[BehindEnemyLinez]

Anyone notice that Diehl really wasn't blocking for Romo ? Its like he wanted to Romo get popped.

Yep. It looked alot like Colombo during the Vikings' game!!