The 2015 NFL Pro Bowl takes place tonight, and seven Indianapolis Colts players will be participating. Regardless of your thoughts on the Pro Bowl, it'll be the last time to see these Colts in action until August, so I know many of you will probably be watching. Here's your need to know information about the game, but more than that, here's an open thread for you to discuss the game.
Team Rosters:
Team Irvin (Michael Irvin)
Coach: Jason Garrett (Cowboys)
Colts' players: linebacker D'Qwell Jackson, cornerback Vontae Davis, safety Mike Adams, kicker Adam Vinatieri
Team Carter (Cris Carter)
Coach: John Harbaugh (Ravens)
Colts' players: quarterback Andrew Luck, wide receiver T.Y. Hilton, punter Pat McAfee
Rule Changes:
Here are some of the notable rule differences for the Pro Bowl, courtesy of NFL.com:
- Game within the Game -- A two-minute warning will be added to the first and third quarters and the ball will change hands after each quarter. This will increase the opportunities for quarterbacks to direct "two-minute drills," which are especially exciting for fans.
- No Kickoffs -- The coin toss will determine which team is awarded possession first. The ball will be placed on the 25-yard line at the start of each quarter and after scoring plays.
- Rosters -- The rosters will continue to consist of 43 players per squad. The kick return specialist will be replaced by an additional defensive back.
- Cover Two and Press Coverage -- The defense will be permitted to play "cover two" and "press" coverage. In previous years, only "man" coverage was permitted, except for goal line situations.
- Stopping of the Game Clock -- Beginning at the two-minute mark of every quarter, if the offense does not gain at least one yard, the clock will stop as if the play were an incomplete pass. This rule will make the team with the ball attempt to gain yardage toward the end of each quarter.
- Game Timing -- The game clock will start after an incomplete pass on the signal of the referee, except inside the last two minutes of the first half and the last five minutes of the second half.
- Play Clock -- A 35-second/25-second play clock will be adopted instead of the typical 40-second/25-second clock.
- Sacks -- The game clock will not stop on quarterback sacks outside of the final two minutes of the game. Currently, the game clock stops in these situations outside of two- minutes of the second and fourth quarters.
In addition, the goal posts will be narrowed from the standard 18.6 feet to 14 feet (width between the poles).
Here's your open thread for tonight's Pro Bowl.