Pro Bowl notes

It's been previously reported that San Francisco 49ers Pro Bowl linebacker Patrick Willis is an apparent fan of the short practices by Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy who's acting as head coach for the NFC squad in the Pro Bowl.

If Willis is representative of the rest of the Pro Bowl players, McCarthy might be winning over the hearts of some potential free agents in Hawaii this week. Yesterday's Pro Bowl practice, like practices all week long, have been short.

According to Greg Bedard of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "McCarthy just ended the practice after 45 minutes as he tries to woo any possible free agents with his easy practice schedule. All they have to do is ask Charles Woodson."

Another interesting note coming out of the Pro Bowl was a little noticed quip from Chicago Bears Pro Bowl linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo (pictured). It's clear the Green Bay Packers think highly of him.

Ayanbadejo told the Bears' official website, "The NFC team is being coached by the Green Bay Packers coaching staff, and that’s been cool. They let me know some of the things they had talked about from scouting me. One of the coaches told me that they have a bull’s eye for every guy that’s the best player in every facet of the game that they face, and he told me that I had the bull’s eye on me and they wanted to make sure I didn’t do anything in our two games against them. It was kind of funny to learn that."

Perhaps the Packers are buttering up Ayanbadejo. Lance Briggs is getting all the attention as a big name free agent, but Ayanbadejo is set to become a free agent this off-season as well. His value comes mostly as a special teams player, though.