ALL-STAR GAMES?? ALL-STAR GAMES??

There were two games of supposed note this past weekend involving professional athletes, the NFL Pro Bowl and the NHL All-Star contest.  The key word is "supposed". 

I tuned in Sunday afternoon to watch the NHL stars, but I have to say, it looked more like a pee-wee scrimmage.  Maybe its been a long time since I've watched one of these, but I was shocked.  No checking,  no pushing, just a lot of passing and shooting and an occasional stop by a goalie.  What a disappointment.  The night before, I viewed some of the NHL skills competition and there was some really interesting moments....but this, ye GAD.  If I had thrown some money at a ticket for that, I'd be screaming for it back.  Heck, they'd be better off having every forward and defenseman take three shots at a goalie....most goals by a team is the winner in a shoot out and forget about the game.  That was just pathetic.  Just sayin.....

As disappointed as I was in the NHL contest, little did I know what I had in the offing for that evening with the Pro Bowl.  Before I say anything, let's have Aaron Rodgers say a few words.

"Criticism of the play in Sunday's Pro Bowl reached a new level when Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers blasted the effort of some NFC teammates Tuesday.

"I'll be honest with you," Rodgers said on ESPN 540 in Milwaukee. "I was a little bit disappointed.  I felt like some of the guys on the NFC side embarrassed themselves."
The AFC routed the NFC, 59-41, in a game that drew boos at Aloha Stadium for its lack of early intensity.  Rodgers, who started and played the first quarter for the NFC, didn't name specific players.

Let's be Honest......

I was just surprised that some of the guys either didn't want to play or when they were in there didn't put any effort into it," Rodgers said.  Avoiding injuries in a meaningless All-Star Game is a high priority for many players.  Rodgers, however, said that playing half-speed isn't the answer.

"I've always found that when you're going that tempo, that's when the injuries are going to happen, not if you're going full speed," Rodgers told ESPN 540. "You're more likely to get an injury standing around a pile or just going through it half speed."

I'm not sure why Rodgers stopped short of calling the game a disgrace for both the AFC and NFC.  It would have been better served to play flag football or leave virtually all lineman at home and play seven-on-seven.  Because that's pretty much what it amounted to.

We've got two more of these all-star games in the upcoming months.  First off, the NBA will showcase it's stars with the Ball Hog show.  Whoever shoots the most gets the MVP and all the attention.....and then this summer comes the MLB All-Star game.

If you're looking for some fire, some intensity and at least an effort that would cause someone to want to buy a ticket or watch, then watch baseball's version.  At least the winner of the game between the American and National League gets home field advantage in the World Series.  Which means the game means something.....rather than a vacation and a way to make some "chump" change.  Yowsa!!

Thanks for reading,

John