So I’ve noticed that the Pro Bowl ballot is open.

As a fan of soccer, the concept of an All-Star team was strange to me as a child. Following the major European soccer leagues such as Barclays Premier League and Liga BBVA, I have never encountered it being such celebrated event. Yes, there were All-Star games in Korean Soccer League, or K-League, but it was nothing more than a friendly game. There were no huge openings or constant commercials throughout the week leading up to it. But here – oh man, you guys push it.

Maybe because you have your stars in your backfield. To see the likes of Derek Jeter bat against Clayton Kershaw or LeBron guarding Kobe is priceless, and many events are prepared for the fans. However, are they really necessary?

The MLB tries to put some meaning into the All-Star game by giving the home-field advantage to the winning league, but that is not enough to motivate half of the players who are from the team that has no chance of making the playoffs, let alone the World Series.

And then there is the NFL.

When I first saw the Pro Bowl game, I thought it was an absolute joke. You see players wearing flower necklaces on the sideline, playing with their phones in “Tweeting Stations.” Are you serious? Tweeting Stations? There was absolutely no defense played and quarterbacks chucked the ball on the ground if anyone in another uniform come within twenty yards of their “offensive line.”

I honestly felt insulted at the lack of effort put into the game. Yes, I get it: it’s a meaningless game, and nobody wants to get hurt. But, first of all, if you are too scared to get hit in football, then perhaps you should reconsider your choice of sport. It’s also a week before the Super Bowl, and any players from the teams that have reached the plateau are not allowed to participate. Off season is coming up, so let’s try not to get too scared about pulling a hamstring or twisting your pinky.

Fans come and watch the game to see the bests of each leagues go up against another and to witness a fantastic, high-quality football match. I am a strong believer in fixing the game to make it a little more competitive – maybe even to the point where the offensive line and the defensive line don’t spend the game playing pattycakes. Baby steps.

Players I LOVE

QB Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers: What does it take to earn a spot on my love list? How about back-to-back six-touchdown performances? Maybe. Upcoming matchup? It gets a heck of a lot easier with the Jets. Need I say anything else?!

QB Carson Palmer, Arizona Cardinals: At least two touchdowns in every game he’s played so far. The Rams aren’t exactly the Steel Curtain, and Michael Floyd, John Brown, and Larry Fitzgerald are more than viable options to beat St. Louis.

QB Mark Sanchez, Philadelphia Eagles: Mark Sanchez? Mark Sanchez! Who would’ve thought that one would ever utter a phrase like “6-2 Eagles led by Mark Sanchez”? Not me. Chip Kelly made a great quarterback out of an average one in Nick Foles, and maybe a miracle is upon us. Or maybe it’s just that Sanchez is actually decent and the Panthers defense is atrocious.

RB Ronnie Hillman, Denver Broncos: Besides the touchdown, he had a miserable rushing performance. However, he also caught one and made off with it. He has shown that he can be productive in passing games, and having Peyton Manning is always a plus.

RB Justin Forsett, Baltimore Ravens: Another running back who disappointed on the ground, but excelled in the air. He could be seen as even more risky after Lorenzo Taliaferro had seven carries, but the Tennessee Titans aren’t exactly the force stopping the ground attack, as they have allowed the fifth most rushing yards per game.

RB Terrence West, Cleveland Browns: Ben Tate isn’t looking like he’ll be a factor as time passes, and the Bengals have lost their tooth. These young-blood rookies, I’m telling you!

RB Bobby Rainey, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: How about someone who didn’t throw a duck on the ground? Doug Martin has gone from a fantasy star to one of the biggest busts in the draft, and Bobby Rainey is the new star rookie. If a running back is ever going to have a big day, it’s against the Falcons.

WR Roddy White, Atlanta Falcons: He was basically the only half-decent weapon for them last year. Now he’s getting his share of targets, and the Bucs allowed the most yards per game and second most touchdowns.

WR Mohamed Sanu, Cincinnati Bengals: Is he a top-10 receiver now? Maybe. Green had little to no effect on his performance as he continues to put up some major numbers. Even against the less-than-weak Cleveland secondary, Andy Dalton likes him. Borderline must start.

WR Michael Floyd, Arizona Cardinals: Did I mention him in the Carson Palmer paragraph? Yes, yes I did.

WR Michael Crabtree, San Francisco 49ers: Oh, why can’t I get over you? This unrequited love is insane. I still believe in your potential, but it just hasn’t come through. Please. It’s the Saints. Please, Michael.

TE Heath Miller, Pittsburgh Steelers: Big Ben is on fire. Every Steelers receiver gets 10 points. What does that mean? I wish knew to tell you.

TE Mychal Rivera, Oakland Raiders: Remember Mickey Shuler Jr.? Quite a pick. Well, I’m jumping back on the Raiders TE bandwagon, and this one has been actually used this season. He has put up two back-to-back good performances and looks to hurt the Broncos D as Derek Carr and Oakland will haplessly imitate the mighty Manning.

Green Bay Packers D/ST: Two picks last time they played Cutler. Now it’s at home. Am I the only one looking for a big performance?

Pittsburgh Steelers D/ST: Any defense facing the Jaguars and the Jets is automatic top-10.

Players I HATE

QB Ryan Tannehill, Miami Dolphins: He hasn’t topped 300 yards this season, and last week’s performance was probably unrepeatable. Then again, I said the same thing about Big Ben. But do you really trust Tannehill against the mean, mean Lions defense? Nope. I’ll pass.

QB Eli Manning, New York Giants: He had a decent game against the Colts, but it seems like any quarterback facing them is throwing for multiple touchdowns and at least 300 yards. But it should be noted that most of his fantasy points came from the fourth quarter, and it just gets worse and worse as he faces the Seahawks D.

RB Mark Ingram, New Orleans Saints: Is he truly shredding the bust label? Not so fast. He has been beasting and feasting on the weaker defenses, but he hasn’t proved that he can break the toughest of them all, most notably exemplified against the aforementioned mean Lions.

RB Any Buffalo Running Backs: Only remaining team that hasn’t allowed a rushing touchdown? The Chiefs.

RB Tre Mason, St. Louis Rams: Mason looked like he came out of the Rams backfield chaos, but he has been nothing but Mr. Irrelevant after a big game against the Seahawks. Also, Arizona is the only the defense that held DeMarco Murray to under a hundred yards.

WR Golden Tate, Detroit Lions: Guess who’s back, back, back, back again, gain, gain? Not Tate – this time it’s Megatron himself. The best receiver in the league coming back plus tough matchup against the Dolphins doesn’t sound too exciting for him.

WR Rueben Randle, New York Giants: See Manning, Eli. He had plenty of opportunity to become the No. 1 receiver, but he hasn’t been able to step up to the plate.

WR Wes Welker, Denver Broncos: One touchdown, never topped 60 yards. Cue the Frozen soundtrack. Time to let it go.

TE Vernon Davis, San Francisco 49ers: He has literally done nothing. NOTHING since Week 1. Nada! Zero! Zet! No! Similar to Wes Welker, goodbye.

Cincinnati Bengals D/ST: Just in case you still have hopes that they will turn it around, here’s a hint: they won’t. Jacksonville – yes, that Jacksonville – scored 23 points. Twenty-three. They have topped 20 points only three times this season. Also, the Browns have been surprisingly efficient offensively.