I love that I grew up in this era, but every once and awhile I like to think about some of the things that I missed out on. One of the things that I've pondered about on more than one occasion, what would it have been like listening to Howard Cosell call a game? I wonder if I would have fallen in with the crowd who thought he was brilliant, or the group that couldn't stand the cantankerous analyst. Well after this story by Al Michaels, during yesterday's Pro Bowl, I think I can say I would have fallen in with the brilliant folks.

Nearing the end of the game, Michaels was talking about Archie Manning (in attendance), playing in the first Pro Bowl ever, while both his sons were playing in the current one. That then led the PbPer into how he was actually on the call of that first game with Fran Tarkenton and Howard Cosell, and how the late Cosell actually felt about the first Pro Bowl.....

Hilarious. The best part about Michaels these days, is the way he portrays the visuals of some of his more memorable stories. It's also funny that the way Cosell felt about the first Pro Bowl, is the way 95% of fans STILL feel about the game. Man, would he have had some fun with that boring game yesterday. It's tough not to watch the game, because you know Football won't be on again until August, but it's always the most boring contest ever played. At least Michaels and Collinsworth tried to make it somewhat interesting.

It was announced last week that the Pro Bowl would be moving to Miami in 2010, but there's also now news that CBS has declined to air the game, and ESPN has picked up the contest. It appears as if it's just a one-year deal, but the "Leader" might have the option to continue airing the NFL All-Star game in the future. Via Reuters....

In 2009, it will be NBC. But now ESPN will have the 2010 Pro Bowl instead of CBS, which will still carry the Super Bowl on February 7.

It wasn't clear why CBS declined to televise the Pro Bowl, though under the terms of the 2006 right agreements the National Football League has the right to shop the Pro Bowl rights for a particular year if that network doesn't want them. That's apparently what happened here.

Terms of the NFL-ESPN deal weren't disclosed, but it's believed to be a one-year deal. There is no information as yet to whether there are more years in the works. Fox Sports is scheduled to carry the 2011 Pro Bowl, along with the Super Bowl.

Picking up the Pro Bowl is probably cheap enough at this point, that the poor ratings won't matter, and ESPN had done just as good a job with the game as they could in the past. The only problem is how much they'll force ads for the game in our face, now that they own the 2010 rights.

2010 Pro Bowl going to ESPN (Reuters)

Not much else going on this cold winter eve, so I thought I'd give you your first look at the NFL Pro Bowl Rosters so you can debate them until the cows come home. A few snubs off the top of my head so far include: Cutler and Favre over Rivers, Calvin Johnson, Patrick Willis, Jon Beason, D'Qwell Jackson, Greg Jennings and John Abraham.

Obviously with the talent at some of those positions, it would be tough for them to make it on the list, but all of them have a case. Especially Philip Rivers. I don't care if a legacy like Favre gets in, but it's a crime that Cutler is in ahead of him. Here's your list....

NFC:

QB - Kurt Warner (Cardinals), Drew Brees (Saints), Eli Manning (Giants)
RB - Adrian Peterson (Vikings), Michael Turner (Falcons), Clinton Portis (Redskins)
FB - Mike Sellers (Redskins)
WR - Larry Fitzgerald (Cardinals)*, Anquan Boldin (Cardinals)*, Steve Smith (Panthers), Roddy White (Falcons)
TE - Jason Witten (Cowboys)*, Chris Cooley (Redskins)
T - Jordan Gross (Panthers)*, Walter Jones (Seahawks)*, Chris Samuels (Redskins)
G - Chris Snee (Giants)*, Steve Hutchinson (Vikings)*, Leonard Davis (Cowboys)
C - Andre Gurode (Cowboys)*, Shaun O’Hara (Giants)
DE - Justin Tuck (Giants)*, Julius Peppers (Panthers)*, Jared Allen (Vikings)
DT - Kevin Williams (Vikings)*, Jay Ratliff (Cowboys)*, Pat Williams (Vikings)
OLB - DeMarcus Ware (Cowboys)*, Lance Briggs (Bears)*, Derrick Brooks (Buccaneers)
ILB - Patrick Willis (49ers)*, Jon Beason (Panthers)
CB - Charles Woodson (Packers)*, Antoine Winfield (Vikings)*, Asante Samuel (Eagles)
S - Nick Collins (Packers)*, Adrian Wilson (Cardinals)*, Brian Dawkins (Eagles)
K - John Carney (Giants)
P - Jeff Feagles (Giants)
KR - Clifton Smith (Buccaneers)
ST - Sean Morey (Cardinals)

AFC:

QB - Peyton Manning (Colts)*, Brett Favre (Jets), Jay Cutler (Broncos)
RB - Thomas Jones (Jets)*, Chris Johnson (Titans), Ronnie Brown (Dolphins)
FB - Le’Ron McClain (Ravens)*
WR - Andre Johnson (Texans)*, Brandon Marshall (Broncos)*, Reggie Wayne (Colts), Wes Welker (Patriots)
TE - Tony Gonzalez (Chiefs)*, Antonio Gates (Chargers)
T - Joe Thomas (Browns)*, Jason Peters (Bills)*, Michael Roos (Titans)
G - Alan Faneca (Jets)*, Kris Dielman (Chargers)*, Brian Waters (Chiefs)
C - Kevin Mawae (Titans)*, Nick Mangold (Jets)
DE - Mario Williams (Texans)*, Dwight Freeney (Colts)*, Robert Mathis (Colts)
DT - Albert Haynesworth (Titans)*, Kris Jenkins (Jets)*, Shaun Rogers (Browns)
OLB - James Harrison (Steelers)*, Joey Porter (Dolphins)*, Terrell Suggs (Ravens)
MLB - Ray Lewis (Ravens)*, James Farrior (Steelers)
CB - Nnamdi Asomugha (Raiders)*, Courtland Finnegan (Titans)*, Darrelle Revis (Jets)
S - Ed Reed (Ravens)*, Troy Polamalu (Steelers)*, Chris Hope (Titans)
K - Stephan Gostkowski (Patriots)
P - Shane Lechler (Raiders)
KR - Leon Washington (Jets)
ST - Brendon Ayanbadejo (Ravens)

*- Starter

The players for this year's Pro Bowl, that you won't watch, will be announced on ESPN during a special hosted by Trey Wingo, Trent Dilfer and Mike Golic. But before they can get to that announcement, both the fans as well as the coaches and players have to get their votes in. The Players and Coaches don't do so for a little while, but the fan vote is in, and it's hilarious!

According to the DC Sports Bog, Redskins fans decided that nine....NINE!....of the team's players deserved to be in the Pro Bowl. As if that wasn't crazy enough, look at some of the names they selected....

At long last, we have the final vote tallies from the objective NFL fan Pro Bowl voting. The objective fans have decided that, of the 19 positional categories in the NFC, nine should be filled by members of the burgundy and maroon and gold and black. And also, that two of the top 10 overall vote-getters should be members of the Redskins offense.

So bring on Shaun Suisham as the leading kicker in either conference, even though he has more misses than any kicker in the league. Bring on Cornelius Griffin as the leading NFC D tackle, even though the Redskins D-line has been the subject of intense angst and RB bludgeoning in recent weeks. The offense is one of three in the NFL yet to crack 30 points? Bah, who cares? Bring on the leading RB, leading FB and leading tackle. Special teams have largely been a disappointment? Tell that to Khary Campbell, the leading specialist in either conference. Power to the people!

Hilarious, but as I pointed out above, it's not going to matter once the coaches and players weigh in. As a Skins fan myself, I think it's safe to say that futility is something that you get used to. Good times!

Here's the rest of the team-by-team breakdown....

Redskins (7-6) -- 9
Giants (11-2) -- 4
Ravens (9-4) -- 4
Titans (12-1) -- 3
Dolphins (8-5) -- 3
Cowboys (8-5) -- 2
Jets (8-5) -- 2
Broncos (8-5) -- 2
Steelers (10-3) -- 1
Cardinals (8-5) -- 1
Saints (7-6) -- 1
Bears (7-6) -- 1
Texans (6-7) -- 1
Packers (5-8) -- 1
Chargers (5-8) -- 1
Raiders (3-10) -- 1
Chiefs (2-11) -- 1

Redskins Fans Finish Off Pro Bowl Mockery (DC Sports Bog)

I watched a good bit of the Pro Bowl and I really thought I was the only person tuning in at all. I couldn't have been more wrong. According to the AP this year's Pro Bowl got it's highest ratings since 2000, and was up a staggering 37% over last year's telecast....

The game on FOX got a 6.3 rating compared to a 4.6 from last year and the 8.6 in 2000. There are a ton of rumors surrounding All Star Games these days, but that's actually a respectable number that could keep the game in Hawaii. As long as nothing else is really going on that weekend it seems like the Pro Bowl could keep this up.

Think again.....

CBS will air the Pro Bowl for the first time in 35 years this Saturday, and it will be a grand ole' time!

Your Announcers....

The Booth: Three man team....Greg Gumbel, Dan Dierdorf, and Phil Simms
The Sideline: One man...one mouth.....Shannon Sharpe

NOOOOOOOOOOO! On SBL they asked me what my ideal team to call the Super Bowl would be.....well this would be the opposite. I couldn't pick a worse team if my life depended on it.

Shannon Sharpe on the sidelines should be fun right? Him interviewing Belichick at halftime would be awesome.

Sharpe: Flabbity Flab Flab Flab Flabbiddy Flab
Belichick: (silence)
Sharpe: Flab.........Flabbers........Flab Flab Flab
Belichick: I think both teams played hard.
Sharpe: Flab....thaflabnks coach.....flabbers