On Saturday, the NFL’s current Pro Bowl stars were given the unique opportunity to play in what was expected by many to be the last Pro Bowl ever played. Following the abysmal effort from players in the exhibition last year, coupled with a strict warning from Commissioner Roger Goodell that the Pro Bowl’s future would be decided this year, the portents were not looking kind for the event, which was first played back in 1939.

Although many expected the Pro Bowl to write its own eulogy, the viewing public were treated to a surprising compelling game, and the players could well have done enough to breathe life into an event that was all but on the scrapheap.

Both teams displayed considerable effort given the circumstances, and could have found a comfortable ‘middle ground’ which could see the Pro Bowl remain a feature on the NFL calendar.

A perfect example of this was evident when Denver Broncos defensive end Elvis Dumervil had a big blindside hit lined up on Drew Brees, but pulled out of it, seemingly remembering where he was as he got closer to the quarterback. Protecting the quarterback in a game such as this seems fair, especially when you consider the defensive hustle that was shown throughout the game (by this I mean tackles were made, an odd sight in recent Pro Bowls).

The game also featured its madder moments, not least so the inclusion of JJ Watt as a wide receiver at one point, but to the Pro Bowl detractors, let’s not forget that this is an end of season showpiece – If you can’t do the crazy here, where can you?

One of the most resounding arguments for keeping the Pro Bowl was surely made by Peyton Manning and Jeff Saturday. Manning and Saturday played together for the majority of their careers in Indianapolis, and following Saturday’s recent retirement announcement, the NFC center was allowed to snap the ball one last time to the AFC’s Manning. It was a poignant moment, and if Goodell does end up scrapping the Pro Bowl, it was a fitting moment for the exhibition to go out on.

It will inevitably, if unfairly, be compared to the NBA’s ‘All Star Weekend’ which far exceeds it in popularity and effort displayed by its players (the joys of a non-contact sport). However, could the Pro Bowl learn something from its round-balled cousin?

All Star Weekend is littered with extra events that all lead up to the All Star game, such as the three-point shootout, slam dunk competition, and a celebrity game, all of which contribute to the success of the weekend. It is difficult to imagine similar events at the Pro Bowl, with perhaps the exception of a highly appealing quarterback shootout, but it is something which Goodell could consider to help rejuvenate the event.

Unfortunate, it is unlikely that we will ever see a Pro Bowl competed for with the intensity that the players play with in the NFL. Due to the money these players risk losing if they suffer a serious injury, sensibility will always cause them to reel in their efforts.

In the world of Rugby Union, the Barbarians invitational side play with passion and effort abound, despite the fact the players are at just as much risk of injury as those in the Pro Bowl. There is however a large disparity in earnings, and most rugby players also have guaranteed contracts, meaning that all but the most serious injuries should have little to no affect on the players’ earnings.

With the Super Bowl, Free Agency, Combine and Draft all looming on the horizon, anxiety over Goodell’s decision in regards to the Pro Bowl will be very low. This essentially has left many with decidedly mixed feelings over the Pro Bowl. It is a nice event to have, but if Goodell does decide to do away with it, I certainly won’t lose any sleep over it.

Image Courtesy : NFL

The article The Pro Bowl Lives to Fight Another Day appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.

The New York Giants held their Superbowl celebrating parade on Tuesday after their victory over the New England Patriots on Super Bowl Sunday. The team took the Lombardi Trophy back to New York to share the experience with the fans after a ‘come from behind’ drive orchestrated by Eli Manning and their high powered offense.

After a miraculous catch by wide receiver Mario Manningham, Manning marched down the field, capping off a nine play, 88 yard drive with Ahmad Bradshaw rushing the touchdown. The New York Giants paraded through Manhattan receiving the key to the city and finishing off a memorable day with a pep rally at Met Life Stadium.

One of the most unforgettable experiences any sports fan can have is seeing their team in a parade like this. People were chanting, “Let’s go Giants!” as the head float, carrying Eli Manning, defensive end Justin Tuck and members of the coaching staff rolled on by. Fans were throwing footballs for the players to autograph and the players would throw them right back.

Coughlin, who received a phone call from President Obama on his way to the parade, said, “All things are possible for those who believe. We always believed, we always knew we could get here.”

The celebration started at 11 a.m. and continued all day with a ceremony at City Hall followed by a ceremony at Met Life Stadium. Players were leading the fans in with an “I gotta ring!” chant which was led by running back Andre Brown and continued throughout the day. Former Giants Super Bowl winner Michael Strahan helped present each Giant player a key to the city alongside Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Victor Cruz even made his signature move after receiving his key and salsa’d on stage.

Players went on to comment on the experience of celebrating their victory with the fans. Punter Steve Weatherford was quoted for saying, “It’s unbelievable, celebrating this is front of the greatest fans in the world.”

Eli even made the joke, “We needed to lose four in a row,” saying that it wasn’t tough enough. He went on to say that Coughlin reiterated, “Make it tough just make it possible.” You can say the Giants did that. Starting the season 6-2 and then losing four straight is definitely a way to make it tougher.

The Giants became the first 9-7 team to ever win a Super Bowl. Entering week 16, the Giants were 7-7 and wound up winning the last six games to reach the goal that every NFL player strives for; the Lombardi Trophy.

The Giants had a record setting eight fourth-quarter comeback victories this season, including one in the Super Bowl; so you can see why President Obama complemented Coughlin and the Giants with words like, “finishing” and “being resilient.”

Image Courtesy of   https://www.facebook.com/newyorkgiants

The article Giants Celebrate Super Bowl Victory With Fans appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.

Dial Global has announced that 23.1 million people tuned in to hear the radio broadcast of Super Bowl XLVI on Sunday, February 5, 2012 featuring the New York Giants and the New England Patriots. Dial Global commissioned the study from  Edison Research, designed to accurately measure the number of people that tuned in to hear Super Bowl XLVI broadcasts and make this information available within two days of the event’s conclusion.

The survey found that listeners accessed the live broadcast in multiple listening environments, including the home, while driving, at work and other locations, on over 680 stations nationwide.

The national survey was conducted via live telephone interviews on February 6, 2012, following the Giants 21-17 victory over the Patriots. The game, which wasn’t decided until the final play, marked the second time in four years that the Giants topped the Patriots in the Super Bowl.

“We are again excited, but not surprised, to see that our research findings highlight the strength of the Dial Global brand and the ongoing demand for radio broadcast coverage of live sporting events,” said David Landau, Co-President CEO of Dial Global. “Dial Global is committed to showcasing the value of our content and exemplifying our commitment to being the most innovative, service focused company in the industry while supporting our affiliates and advertisers.”

Broadcasting nearly 100 NFL games, exclusive NFL primetime games, the Playoffs and the Super Bowl, Dial Global commissioned the Super Bowl study following the results of their initial research during the Baltimore Ravens vs. New England Patriots (AFC Championship) and New York Giants vs. San FranciscoForty-Niners (NFC Championship) games on Sunday, January 22, 2012, which found that 22.9 million Americans listened to radio broadcast coverage of these two live NFL events.

“Given the popularity of The Super Bowl as ‘television’s ultimate event’ where people actually look forward to the commercials and the halftime show, the number of radio listeners may come as a surprise to those who are not familiar with the significant reach of broadcast radio. We are excited that our ongoing research continues to highlight the power of radio,” said Larry Rosin, Edison President.

Image Courtesy of   https://www.facebook.com/newyorkgiants

The article 23 Million Radio Listeners Tune Into Super Bowl XLVI appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.

The Super Bowl is no ordinary game: it’s an American holiday.  Verizon, the official wireless service provider of the NFL, is making sure Verizon Wireless customers are part of the excitement during Super Bowl XLVI with NFL Mobile. This year marks the first time the Super Bowl will be streamed live to select mobile devices, providing fans with an unprecedented viewing experience.

With NFL Mobile’s game day coverage, fans can catch all the action on their smartphones. Prior to the game, customers can use NFL Mobile to keep up-to-date with breaking news, highlights, video on demand and live NFL Network coverage.

Verizon at The Big Game
With the New York Giants and the New England Patriots ready to square off on Feb. 5, the company has enhanced its network at more than 30 venues in Indianapolis, including major hotels and all of the facilities where the game and related events will take place.

The NFL Experience, which features Verizon’s Training Ground Experience on game day, and the Super Bowl XLVI Village give visitors a chance to test their athletic skills, both mentally and physically. Fans will also get the opportunity to meet, take photos with and get autographs from professional football legends. The NFL Experience is the ultimate experience for football fans in Indianapolis.

To kick off Super Bowl XLVI weekend, Verizon will participate in the 13th annual Super Bowl Gospel Celebration (SBGC) on Friday, Feb. 3, an NFL sanctioned event, where legendary NFL Pro Bowl players, Super Bowl Champions and MVPs come together on one stage with Grammy Award-winning artists, A-list entertainers and special guests.

Salvation and Deliverance Church Choir, the winner of Verizon’s 2011 “How Sweet the Sound” national choir competition, will perform during the 2012 SBGC taking place at Butler University in Indianapolis. HopeLine from Verizon will also make a donation to a local domestic violence agency to help the organization increase awareness of domestic violence and further prevention efforts.

For more information about NFL Mobile, including how to purchase the application and a list of compatible devices, visit www.verizonwireless.com/nfl. Data charges may apply for download and use of the app. For more information on Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or go to www.verizonwireless.com.

The article Verizon NFL Mobile, Streaming Super Bowl XLVI to Smartphones appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.