After years of the Pro Bowl event suffering, the NFL is making a successful move with the revamp. But even this version is far from mature. One comment.

Las Vegas has appeared in new splendour – and with Sin City, so has the NFL. The overhaul of the Pro Bowl has found happiness in the gambling metropolis.

Players were thrilled with the venue, the process and the delivery – moving away from a game to Pro Bowl Games.

Flag football instead of body contact football – as in youth – integrating the skills challenges into the scoring and building the flag football games around the competitions had previously been ridiculed, but proved to be a successful move.

Flag Football not only brings back the childlike joy to the players, the fan can see the emotions of the professionals. Without helmets and pads, they seem closer and the youngsters recognise themselves better in flag football players.

Skills Challenge only as a TV show is counterproductive

The Pro Bowl event had suffered mightily in previous years, with interest plummeting on both the fan and player sides, the revamp has now polished its reputation.

But the version is also far from mature.

On the first day of the Skills Challenge in particular, the NFL excludes the fan – except for a few hundred – from the action.

The challenges, which show the football pro doing more than just football, should actually bring him closer, but the execution as a pure TV show behind closed doors is counterproductive.

More competitions at the Skils Challenges

Sunday showed: The Skills Chalenges saw the most atmosphere at Allegiant Stadium. Whether it was Best Catch, Move The Chains or Gridiron Gauntlet the fans cheered on their favourites. Especially the latter – an obstacle course as a relay – got the fans going.

Why not add one or a few more rounds to the Gridiron Gauntlet to increase the excitement of the competition itself?

And above all, why not Dodgeball, Lightning Round and Precision Passing in front of a full house?

The Pro Bowl shines again, but it could have shone even more.