Pulling the plug?

IIt was typical Seattle weather — rainy and dark — that made even a Seattleite seek cover.

But this was a recent Pro Bowl practice at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, and Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch soon left the tent to join NFC teammates going through warm-ups in the rain.

It was not a demanding practice — padless players wore caps or Gilligan-like floppy hats — but it was the effort of practicing in the rain, not remaining in posh hotel rooms, that was an installment on the players’ good-faith promise.

"I think they," Lynch said of NFL officials, "want to see the game of football stay the game of football, and not turn into a clown show. … I played in (the 2012 Pro Bowl). There were some suspect plays."

Last year’s Pro Bowl drew jeers from fans in Aloha Stadium and ridicule from a national television audience with a game that provided little roughness — unnecessary or otherwise. There were leaning blocks, phantom tackles and flops.

"I really didn’t think that was the kind of football that we want to be demonstrating for our fans," NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell told ESPN afterward.

Later, Goodell warned that the game needed to be played more seriously or it risked having the plug pulled.

The Pro Bowl was issued a stay, and it was granted a return to Aloha Stadium, but stipulations were placed. In essence, the NFL issued an ultimatum: Play harder or the Pro Bowl vaporizes.

"A lot of what goes on forward in terms of this game lies in the hands of the players," NFL senior vice president Ray Anderson said last week. "I have every confidence that they appreciate that."

Anderson said a decision on whether the Pro Bowl is played here, somewhere else or even at all will be announced in April.

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees said the locale is not debatable.

"It has to be in Hawaii," Brees said. "I’ve been coming here since the Hula Bowl. It has to be here. No. 1, it’s a tradition. The guys look forward to this. No. 2, it’s great for the people here. Hawaii doesn’t have an NFL team. This is their big game."

Anderson said the hope is that the "level of play will reflect the desire to come here and enjoy this environment and give the fans what they deserve, which is quality NFL football."

Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning reportedly implored the players to provide a full effort in the Pro Bowl. It has become an annual tradition for Manning to address the players on the eve of the first practices. While he said "it was a private speech," it was reported on NFL.com, an indication the league wanted the players’ intent publicized.

After Friday’s practice, Manning said: "The guys will be ready to play. It’ll be a good competitive game, I think. This is an important event for the NFL and for the players. The commissioner’s made it clear that he’s, you know, making considerations to cancel it. And I think it’s important to have more of a quality game."

For some, the mandate to turn up the heat is welcomed.

"No problem for me," said Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, who is considered to be one of the league’s most, well, aggressive players. "I always play hard."

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt said: "I’m not the kind of guy who goes half-speed, anyway. I’m excited to go out and play."

To be sure, there are concerns about potential injuries. Kickoff returner Leon Washington of the Seahawks recalled entering the 2009 season in the final year of his contract. Washington, then with the New York Jets, suffered torn knee ligaments during the season. The following April, he was traded to the Seahawks.

"Don’t worry about injuries, don’t worry about getting hurt," Washington said. "That’s the nature of our business, especially since we don’t have guaranteed contracts. I know people will play hard and respect this game. You have to go out and play football, and whatever happens, happens."

Jared Allen, a defensive end for the Minnesota Vikings, acknowledged the NFL’s popularity is rooted in physical play.

"Otherwise it would be like watching flag football," Allen said. "Nobody likes flag football."

He said there is a way an all-star game can be competitive without recklessness.

"You don’t want to play at a speed less than everybody else or faster than anybody else because that’s when everybody gets hurt. If everybody keeps the same tempo and tries to take care of each other, you can put on a good game — a good product — for the fans to watch."

Lynch added: "Overall, it’s been a long season. To come over here and go balls out and try to take it out on your peers would just be kind of silly. But at the same time, you at least want to see some kind of effort."

Manning said the importance of the game extends outside of the field.

"The value of this game, to me, was always for when LaDainian Tomlinson spent time with Adrian Peterson. Whatever they talked about, somewhere in there, I guarantee, Adrian Peterson learned something from a (future) Hall of Fame running back. Or I’ve seen Ray Lewis sit down and talk with Patrick Willis over here. Don’t tell me there’s not great value in that conversation of keeping the NFL strong, making young, good players … having them learn how to be great. If they cancel this, I think the NFL will lose that. Is there monetary value in that conversation? I would argue yes."

Manning said he wants to keep the Pro Bowl alive for future players.

"This is not for me," he said. "I’m down the home stretch here. There are 30 first-year players over here, young players. J.J. Watt will make it for as long as he plays in the NFL. I’d hate it for a young player like him not to have the opportunity to come over here and talk to Robert Mathis or Julius Peppers. These are all kinds of different examples. So, hopefully, the game will be better, if that’s going to be what it takes to keep it."

Allen agreed, adding: "It is important. We’re the only (all-star) game that is played after the season. Our game, you take an accumulation of what you do for an entire season, not just a half."

Allen said he would like to see the game revert to being played after the Super Bowl.

That way "it becomes more about the players and the accomplishments of getting to the Pro Bowl," Allen said. "As players, we vote a lot of guys in who don’t get to participate."

But Allen would not change the venue.

"This is the allure of the Pro Bowl," he said. "This is kind of the mystique and tradition of coming across the water."

Washington said: "Coming out to Hawaii with your family is priceless."