Sports Radio Service


		NFL programs trying to give Pro Bowl a boost By Scary Barry and Super Bowl Wayne January 25, 2011

	HONOLULU--Mike Smith the head coach from the Atlanta Falcons was representing the NFC Pro Bowl players and there was a couple of Japanese coaches at the press conference on Tuesday because the NFL is trying to establish football in Japan. NFL spokeswoman Amia Franklin who was in charge of this program was there and was talking about all the different programs they're having. Mike Homsted talked about football clinics. For this year the NFL is putting on a huge extravaganza. They got more high school programs and play sixty programs that we can enumerate right here. The main thing is the NFL is going to have the main show for the Pro Bowl prior to the Pro Bowl game. They're going to have the whole street blocked off and the league is going to have the Goo Goo Dolls performing, Chris Allen who last year's American Idol will be entertaining. During half time its going to be Nuha singing, shes a beautiful lady who was at the press conference and we have a lot of film on that. Ray Anderson the NFL the director of player personnel was there. He did some introductory, Smith gave some introductions. John Zimmer NFL media relations led the conference off. Then the NFL cheerleaders came in because they had the Pro Bowl trophy sitting at the dais for everyone to see and at the end of the press conference the cheerleaders from the press conference came in to carry the trophy out of the room. They were the surprise visitors. There weren't many questions asked because the press was asking the two Japanese coaches one named Hiro how they felt working with these very established NFL coaches like Patriots head coach Bill Bilichick. It's a big experience for these Japanese coaches to work with the NFL people during the Pro Bowl. They basically were in aw of this whole situation and there were all kinds of reporters there. The NFL is making this one of the biggest extravaganzas and it's not going to be like any other Pro Bowl they did give back to the community they want to show they're appreciation for the Hawaiian fans and for the NFL fans that come to the Pro Bowl. The NFL is making this bigger than ever before. Nadamukong pushing for experienced players to join Lions: The Detroit Lions defensive tackle Nadamukong Suh who is out with a shoulder injury has still made the trip to the Pro Bowl. Suh is in discussions with free agents and some possible draft picks while at the Pro Bowl. Suh is not bashful at all and one of the prospects he wants to talk to is Oakland Raiders free agent cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha. Suh said he wants to talk to as many players and prospects as possible that would help build the Lions roster for a stronger team in 2011, "I'll definitely be up for answering questions and letting them know what my experiences is that I've had here. I don't have a problem doing that by any means." said Suh Suh said besides the business at hand he's going to go out and try to enjoy a little of Hawaii hospitality, "To be honest you, I'm going out there with Calvin (Johnson) and enjoy myself and hopefully my coach will be able to come and join me there and other players as well." said Suh Other All-Star football notes: The Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs have scratched for their Pro Bowl appearances neither have made a claim to having an injury. Ordinarily players are pulled out for injuries rather than voluntarily scratching. It's been rumored that both just wanted an early off season to start now rather than later both could be nursing their pride from the loss to Green Bay as well. Carolina's Jon Beason and Washington's London Fletcher have been selected to take Urlacher and Briggs place. Urlacher has been chosen for the Pro Bowl seven times and Briggs it was his sixth selection. Linebacker Shaun Phillips has been named to the AFC squad after linebacker Marvin Harrison from the Steelers has bowed out, "it's huge because of the fact of the work that I've put in, in my eyes I try to play at the Pro Bowl level every year. It is just good. It will give me additional motivation to keep working and never be satisfied." said Phillips. Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald was named to the NFC squad due to the fact that both teams are now looking to fill openings since no players from the Packers or the Steelers will be appearing at the Pro Bowl. Washington's Brian Orakpo, Atlanta defensive back Brent Grimes, Tampa Bay linebacker Donald Penn, will be filling in for the Packers Clay Matthews, Charles Woodson and Chad Cliffton. Scary Barry and Super Bowl Wayne are covering the Pro Bowl for Sportstalk Radio