Pathetic

[MsMarvel73]

http://www.nfl.com/probowl/story?id=09000d5d8161494d&template=with-video-with-comments&confirm=true

Kicked out of the PRO BOWL??!! C'mon man!

[MKdave]

So will yet another unworthy player be called into the roster?

[theFRANCHISE]

I know that the Pro Bowl is essentially a paid work vacation and all, but it's kinda stupid to miss light practices when it's your FIRST Pro Bowl selection with no guarantee that you'll get to be there again.

I mean, watching the NFL Network coverage, those are [i]easy[/i] paychecks they're earning. The practices are non-contact and aren't very rigorous. If anything, they're just glorified cardio workouts.

Pretty stupid on McKinnie's part.

[Shawn`]

I don't know why they even have the pro bowl games anymore.

They should just announce selections and leave it at that, like the NBA.

[MKdave]

[quote name='Shawn`' date='30 January 2010 - 09:46 PM' timestamp='1264887999' post='353151']
I don't know why they even have the pro bowl games anymore.

They should just announce selections and leave it at that, like the NBA.
[/quote]

The NBA has an all-star game. A whole weekend of it infact.

[Shawn`]

[quote name='MKdave' date='30 January 2010 - 03:49 PM' timestamp='1264888172' post='353155']
The NBA has an all-star game. A whole weekend of it infact.
[/quote]

Yeah I completely forgot about that!

My question still remains, why have a pro bowl game? Besides the funny practice sound bites.

[theFRANCHISE]

[quote name='Shawn`' date='30 January 2010 - 05:08 PM' timestamp='1264889304' post='353173']
My question still remains, why have a pro bowl game? Besides the funny practice sound bites.
[/quote]
It boosts the host city's economy due to the tourism factor. It also is used as leverage in future contract negotiations and triggers escalators and financial incentives in some players' contracts. Additionally, the younger players also benefit from it financially as they, in some cases, earn a few weeks' pay just in this one game, and that figure is increased in the bonus that goes to the winning team; this typically applies to some of the mid-to-late round picks, though some high rookie picks also don't make that much in their first season.

In other words, it's all about money. Money for the host city and money for the players. It's more meaningful to the younger players or veterans on their way out than the superstars with financial security and big paychecks.

[MKdave]

[quote name='theFRANCHISE' date='30 January 2010 - 10:18 PM' timestamp='1264889929' post='353189']
It boosts the host city's economy due to the tourism factor. It also is used as leverage in future contract negotiations and triggers escalators and financial incentives in some players' contracts. Additionally, the younger players also benefit from it financially as they, in some cases, earn a few weeks' pay just in this one game, and that figure is increased in the bonus that goes to the winning team; this typically applies to some of the mid-to-late round picks, though some high rookie picks also don't make that much in their first season.

In other words, it's all about money. Money for the host city and money for the players. It's more meaningful to the younger players or veterans on their way out than the superstars with financial security and big paychecks.
[/quote]

Yeah but you don't get contract leverage for playing in the pro bowl, you get leverage for being a 'pro bowler'. But I do agree it's a nice source of revenue for the host city.

But at this point there must be nearly 150 players that can call themselves probowlers this year alone. So I don't know if that negotiation factor will be weakened.

[BritishRaven]

[quote name='theFRANCHISE' date='30 January 2010 - 09:40 PM' timestamp='1264887609' post='353145']
I know that the Pro Bowl is essentially a paid work vacation and all, but it's kinda stupid to miss light practices when it's your FIRST Pro Bowl selection with no guarantee that you'll get to be there again.

I mean, watching the NFL Network coverage, those are [i]easy[/i] paychecks they're earning. The practices are non-contact and aren't very rigorous. If anything, they're just glorified cardio workouts.

Pretty stupid on McKinnie's part.
[/quote]

Basically sums up my take on it.

If he's going to flake out of the Pro Bowl, there's no guarantee he's going to work his hardest during the meaningful games. It's no guarantee, but I think he'll be seen as lazy for quite some time.

[KyKobra]

He should be
You aren't a player if you don't practice

[jfc13]

No matter how you feel about the game, being selected to the Pro Bowl is an honor, but it's an honor with a few responsibilities - like showing up or having a decent reason not to.

Even if they weren't paid, this is an extension of their season and should be an obligation for those selected [those without an excused absence].

I don't know his situation, but according to the article, these are [i]unexcused[/i] absences. If he was injured and his trainer advised him not to play, I can't imagine it would have been that hard to contact whoever he was supposed to contact to have his absence [i]excused[/i]. Many other players figured that out.

If I didn't show up for work 4 out of the next 5 days without pre-approval, I'd expect some kind of action to be taken.