Current changes won't be enough

New rules and a new format, same boring Pro Bowl.
The NFL announced Wednesday that it will give the unpopular “all-star” game a makeover in attempt to draw more interest from fans.
The biggest change is stepping away from the NFC vs. AFC match-up — a format that has been around since 1971 — to a Pro Bowl Draft. In this format, the two leading vote getters will draft their teams school-yard style.
Pro Football Hall of Famers Jerry Rice and Deion Sanders join the top vote getters as alumni team captains to assist with the draft, along with fantasy football champions.
Sounds strikingly similar to the NHL All-Star Player Fantasy Draft.
How original, NFL.
These rule changes seem like a “hey let’s try to do something else” move.
Changes include:
•A two-minute warning will be added in the first and third quarters to entice quarterbacks to direct “two-minute drills.” Possession will also change hands after each quarter.
•In place of a kickoff, the coin toss will determine first possession. The ball will be placed at the 25-yard line at the start of each quarter and after scoring plays.
•Inside the two-minute mark, if the offense does not gain at least one yard, the clock will stop, much like an incomplete pass. This will hopefully make the team with the ball attempt to score rather than letting the clock run out
•The play clock will be reduced from 40-second/25-second to 35-second/25-second.
Although the ideas behind changing the format are admirable, they need to be implemented on a different level.
Move the game back to the week following the Super Bowl like it used to be.
Currently, the Pro Bowl is played the week before the Super Bowl, therefore players selected to the Pro Bowl who are on Super Bowl team do not play.
Having the Pro Bowl as the last NFL event of the season gives players the incentive to have a good time, perform on the field and give the fans one last hurrah until April’s draft.
Football fans love the NFL Combine. It gives them an opportunity to see potential NFL players perform in a skills-type competition.
Who ran the 40-yard dash the fastest? Who can bench press the most? Who has the highest vertical leap? Seeing athletes compete against each other in events outside a game scenario is exciting.
Bring that excitement back to the Pro Bowl.
There used to be a skills competition during the Pro Bowl festivities, but that was discontinued in 2007.
If the NFL wants to draw more interest to the game, reinstate the competition but add a few events.
Keep the quarterback accuracy, furthest kick, 40-yard dash and bench press. But add something with more flair.
Football is a physical game played by big, strong human beings. Hard hits are exciting to watch. Just take a look at highlight reels of Ray Lewis, John Lynch, Ronnie Lott, Lawrence Taylor and Howie Long, to name a few. So the NFL should include an event for defensive players: hardest hit.
If the NFL is interested in changing the format of the game, don’t just change the selection process and a few rules. Change it completely.
Create a more wide-open field. Bring speed more into play. Celebrate the quarterbacks, the poster-children of the league.
Implement 7-on-7 football.
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