The NFL is making some changes to their Annual Pro Bowl game and the newly revamped all-star dual is slated to be played at the end of the upcoming season. The new structure was announced Wednesday in the form of a statement by the NFL and NFLPA. The document boasts that the Pro Bowl will be the ultimate fan-friendly celebration of the game.
The biggest change will be in the rosters. There will no longer be an AFL and NFL conference selection, the players will be selected in a draft-style process a few days before the game.
Voting for the game will also change. Once the players are selected, the two leading vote-getters will be named captains and will be assisted in choosing their team by Hall of Famers Jerry Rice and Deion Sanders, and two NFL.com Fantasy Football champions.
Other changes include:
• Possession will change after each quarter, and a two-minute warning will be added to the first and third quarters. Those changes increase the opportunity for two-minute drills.
• Kickoffs have been eliminated for safety reasons. Possessions at the start of a quarter or after a score will start at the 25-yard line.
• An additional defensive back will replace a kick return specialist on the rosters.
• After the two-minute warning during each quarter, if the offense does not gain at least 1 yard on a play, the clock will stop. This is intended to force offenses to try to gain yardage instead of taking a knee.
• The play clock will be shortened to 35 seconds from the current 40, although it will remain at the current 25 seconds after a game stoppage.
• The defense will be allowed to play more than just man-to-man pass defense. Cover Two and press coverage will be permitted.
The draft for the 2014 Pro Bowl will be on Jan. 22, 2014. The game will be played on Jan. 26 at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaai.
