"To spice things up," is NFL's reason behind sweeping changes to the All-Star event's structure. These changes were announced on Wednesday.

One major change is the removal of the AFC versus NFC format that have existed for more than 40 years. If this does not spice things up, what else can there be? Replacing it will be a Pro Bowl draft. In this new format, there are going to be two team captains, determined by the number of votes. These captains will have the opportunity to determine their rosters, with the assistance of two NFL fantasy football champions as well as previous captains and Hall of Famers, Jerry Rice and Deion Sanders.

The pool of players is generated from the votes of the players, coaches and the fans as well. An additional change would be the reduced ability of conference affiliation to shape who becomes a Pro Bowler. Traditionally, the number of players in each position from each conference should be equal. However, with these changes, it is possible to have four quarterbacks from NFC teams and two from the AFC or more other combinations.

How the game is played is itself changed. A new plan designed by the NFL Players Association president in cooperation with former cornerback Domonique Foxworth is going to be implemented. Under the plan, ending every quarter is a two-minute warning along with a change of possession so that more quick-strike drives can be made. One implication of this change is that teams will not be able to sit on the ball anymore because the clock will stop on any play that doesn't have any positive developments or movements within two minutes.

Under the new structure, there won't be kickoffs anymore. All quarter-opening possessions will begin at the 25-yard line, to be determined by a coin toss. Kick returners will be removed. An extra defensive back on each 43-man roster will take its place.