The Pro Bowl's experimental one-year move to Miami has resulted in better ticket sales, more media coverage and some grousing by players.

"I like Hawai'i a lot better," Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison said. He and the other all-stars wanted to end the season in Miami — but not this week.

With a new venue and new slot on the league calendar, the Pro Bowl will be played today as a preliminary to next week's Super Bowl on the same field.

The NFL is trying to transform the Pro Bowl into a bigger game by playing it before the Super Bowl for the first time. The league also moved the game from Honolulu, its home since 1980.

"Hawai'i is considered kind of a vacation," San Diego tight end Antonio Gates said. "A lot of these guys are from Florida, and a lot of people come to Florida on a regular basis."

Nearly 40 percent of those originally selected won't play. That includes seven Colts and seven Saints because they're preparing for the Super Bowl.

Also, Minnesota tackle Bryant McKinnie was dismissed from the NFC team for unexcused absences after missing two days of practice.

The game will return to Honolulu in 2011 and 2012.

HAWAI'I CHARITIES

GROUPS GETTING $100K

The Pro Bowl isn't being played here for the first time in 30 years, but Hawai'i is still benefiting from the NFL.

Nineteen Hawai'i non-profit organizations will benefit from $100,000 as part of the NFL Charities Pro Bowl Grant Program.

Non-profits receiving $8,000 grants include mentoring program KAMP Hawaii; the Waikiki Health Center; the Marimed Foundation, an ocean-based learning organization; and Hawaii Children's Cancer Foundation.

Others awarded grants include: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Maui; Diversity Activities National Association; Girl Scouts of Hawai'i; Hale Kipa, Inc.; Hawaii Youth Opera Chorus; Hospice Of Kona, Inc.; HUGS (Help, Understanding & Group Support); Lahainaluna High School Foundation; Make A Wish, Hawaii, Inc.; Ohana Komputer; Palama Settlement; Prevent Child Abuse Hawaii; Ronald McDonald House Charities of Hawaii; Special Olympics Hawaii; YMCA of Honolulu, Camp H.R. Erdman Branch.

ELSEWHERE

Ravens: Former Washington Redskins head coach Jim Zorn has been hired by Baltimore to be its quarterbacks coach.

Zorn takes over for Hue Jackson, who left to become offensive coordinator of the Oakland Raiders.