NFL discusses ditching the Pro Bowl
The NFL is considering the possible elimination of the Pro Bowl, potentially replacing it with other events to honor all-star players and showcase their skills.
The issue was discussed by team owners and league officials during Tuesday’s NFL owners meeting in Atlanta, according to a person familiar with the discussions.
According to that source, the league is dissatisfied with the quality of play and is considering alternatives to the Pro Bowl that could include a seven-on-seven passing competition. Such a move would allow quarterbacks, wide receivers and defensive players to compete without any tackling or blocking.
No decisions were made.
The league did decide Tuesday to expand the Rooney Rule again, this time to include quarterbacks coaches in a further effort to diversify the coaching ranks.
The oft-criticized Rooney Rule, adopted in 2003 to enhance opportunities for minorities to gain head coaching jobs and enhanced several times to include front office positions, now will require one minority or female candidate from another team to be interviewed for quarterbacks coach. Previously, the rule covered head coach, general manager and coordinator.
Such current head coaches as Zac Taylor of the Bengals, Kyle Shanahan of the 49ers and
Brian Daboll of the Giants have advanced from QB coach to the top spot.
Elsewhere: Rob Gronkowski is catching balls from Tom Brady again, fueling speculation the tight end will return to the Bucs for another season. But instead of footballs, Gronkowski was shagging baseballs hit by Brady at the New York Yankees’ minor-league facility near Raymond James Stadium. The Bucs have a mandatory veteran minicamp June 7-9, and Gronkowski might wait until that is done before announcing a possible return decision.
ETC.
Hockey: The United States secured a quarterfinal spot against Switzerland at the ice hockey world championship on the last day of group play. Sweden’s 1-0 win over Latvia assured the U.S. would move on and the Americans then defeated Norway 4-2 at Tampere, Finland.