From Not-So-Pro to Pro Bowl

A brief commentary on the Pro Bowl:

I believe the NFL may have finally turned the Not-So-Pro to a real Pro Bowl. My reasoning for this is as follows:
1. For the fans, having the game before the Super Bowl gives greater continuity to the season. It allows fans to see the best players, who are not in the Big Game, play and play for something. How much better than the 'holiday-weekend-flag-football-game-on-the-beach' that makes us turn off the game half way through the 2^nd quarter.
2. For the host state, having the Pro Bowl in the same state as the Super Bowl is excellent for the host state's economy with two huge venues for revenue to stream in.
3. For the NFL, having the Pro Bowl prior to the Super Bowl generates two weeks of build up and fan interest in the games. This in turn gives greater exposure to the NFL and generates revenue. Also, the two week layoff that sometimes occurs prior to the Super Bowl is eliminated, thus avoiding a fall off of fan interest and keeping the games in the news.
4. For the players participating in the Super Bowl, it allows for two weeks of preparation and healing. As a result, some who might not have played due to injury may play. Also, media scrutiny will likely be diminished thus less distraction.
Here's to hoping that the first game may truly be a Pro Bowl rather than the glorified version of sandlot football and a forum for game announcers who are more interested in small talk and the irrelevant that it has been in the past.