2023 Pro Bowl: The good, the bad and the ugly
The 2023 Pro Bowl is in the books and the reviews are starting to roll in on the weekends complete facelift.
Among the changes made to the leagues traditional All-Star weekend include 10 mini competitions, capped off by a 7-on-7 flag football game. This years roster also included a variety of resumes from up-and-comers to certified stars to down-and-out veterans.
The Good
Little brothers
From Eli Manning besting a very-upset Peyton from the sidelines to Equanimeous St. Brown cueing up his brother Amon-Ra to win the best catch competition, the younger brothers showed up in Vegas.
Unsurprisingly, the Diggs brothers were at the center of one of the best moments when Trevon picked off his older brother Stefon. The Bills wide receiver — who later added a highlight-worthy touchdown — blamed the turnover on the higher ups, but Trevon definitely won bragging rights for the day.
Young talent
Speaking of the Diggs family, Trevons six-year-old son Aaiden continued to assert himself as one of the leagues most beloved personalities. For the past three years, Diggs has provided fans with numerous entertaining and endearing press conferences and micd up moments and his Pro Bowl debut was no different.
Diggs star shined brightest alongside some of the leagues other favorite little stars, including Micah Parsons son, Malcolm, and Jets superfan Johnny.
With star players and future commissioner casting covered, all thats left was the broadcast studio. Ten-year-old Jeremiah wowed players and coaches with a series of impressive interviews.
Player protection
It wasnt perfect (stay tuned for the ugly), but it was a step in the direction.
For years, the Pro Bowl was haunted by the stories of career-changing injuries to players like Robert Edwards and Tyler Eifert. Over time, many players opted to skip out on the event entirely. The ones who showed up often didnt play at the highest level of competition and the event started to lose much of its luster. Hence, the change in structure.
Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett did #Browns star DE Myles Garrett is believed to have suffered a dislocated toe while competing in today’s Pro Bowl Games, per source. X-rays came back negative. Garrett limped off the field in Las Vegas.
Tyler Huntley
No one has less to lose than Tyler Huntley. In the five days since Huntley, Lamar Jacksons backup, was named as Josh Allens replacement, the only thing the internet seems to be asking is How?
The 25-year-old appeared in six games for the Ravens this season throwing for an average of 67 yards per game and a QBR of 41.2. Simply, not Pro Bowl material. To his credit, however, he took the opportunity and made the most of it.
Huntley came in second in the precision passing contest on Thursday, losing to only Derek Carr. He carried that momentum into Sundays flag football games, recording 192 yards and four touchdowns.
Lamar Jacksons status in Baltimore is currently up in the air, but the Pro Bowl might have provided Huntley — a restricted free agent this offseason — with some options.
The Bad
Flag Pulling
Circling back to that injury prevention, it wasnt all by the books. Whether it was just an innate competitiveness or inability to follow the rules, several plays looked a little less flag and a little more tackle.
Ramsey was called for an unnecessary roughness penalty, something probably not on too many peoples bingo cards heading into the day of flag football.
Fan experience
The verdicts still out on the new Pro Bowl. Some were very complimentary of the changes and seemed to enjoy the more informal access to the players, while others — especially those waiting to watch the Knicks and 76ers — felt it dragged on too long.
The new format wasnt an all-around loss and the players seemed to enjoy themselves, but it didnt always translate well for the viewers back home. Assuming they plan on sticking with this new format, itll definitely require some refining going forward to keep fans engaged from start to finish.
The Ugly
The Griddy
Once Derek Carr pulled out the Griddy, it was time to say goodnight.
The longtime Raiders quarterback had the support of his soon-to-be former home crowd throughout the entire weekend, but his dance moves didnt earn him many points on the free agency market.
The celebration dance thats taken the league by storm was all over Allegiant Stadium this weekend. Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson, who popularized the dance in the NFL, did provide a wholesome moment with everyones favorite new sideline reporter.
