Will following the Giants ever be the same?

from my father, to me, to my kids, to grandkids, (same with wife), it's family; fun, joyful when we win, disappointing and painful when we lose. But memorable learning, sharing experiences both ways. Over the years, I've learned to put it all in context. Maybe this comes with age. Used to be, I couldn't eat during games. Now I can. Used to be a loss could ruin a week. Now I move on. I'm still invested, still a die-hard, still spend more time on this site than I probably should, but with luck, I'll see another season, maybe another era, maybe share another SB with my kids and for the first time, grandkids. Aside from wins/losses/general suckitude, I was on the season ticket waiting list for 18 years but the PSLs put an end to that dream and that was a major disappointment.

by the success over the past 30 years. I remember watching or attending games in the 70's just hoping for an entertaining game. Then later watching the playoffs and SB saying to myself I wonder if the Giants will ever be there. I have since attended 5 SBs and feel vindicated.

I don't have to go on blood pressure medication....

The NFL is circling the bowl. Mediocre teams abound, the games are dull and poorly officiated. I've felt that way for a while, but that was tempered for a bit by the Giants being competitive. Absent that, I really have little interest in the rest of the league, which is very different from the last time the Giants were awful for a while, in the '90s. Then, my interest wasn't dependent on the Giants' fortunes. Now, it is.

It looks to me like the coaches are having a tough time adjusting to the CBA. The available time to allot towards practicing fundamentals while still installing game plans is more limited than ever. Are coached adjusting accordingly?

I believe this is the area where Bill Belichick's contributions to the sport will speak most clearly to future generations. His genius has been in maintaining a roster full of players at the right time of their careers/contracts, and molding his plans to the talent he has at his disposal. And I'd bet he targets smarter players with reputations for attention to details.

I was going to say that I think the CBA has a bigger impact on the poor level of play than parity. We've pretty much had parity since the salary cap, but we've only had a noticeable drop in play since the new CBA.

It is a dual storm impact. You have the CBA that limits practice, and you have a college game that is increasingly a gimmick-fest, resulting in having players drafted that need to learn essential skills like getting into a 3-point stance or lining up with a QB under center

"It's interesting to compare the Champions League to the NFL. The CL is comprised of teams that are basically uninhibited in their ability to spend money on players. The NFL has chosen parity instead."

Yes, the game that I am really kicking myself for missing is the Real Madrid/Tottenham CL match. It was apparently a superb matchup with inspired play. The thought of watching this week's NFL big game - Falcons vs Pats - hasn't honestly even crossed my mind.

Btw, I am convinced the MLS is going to have to renounce the salary cap iuf it wishes to really establish itself as a first-class league. I agree with Hassan that the soft socialism of the NFL cap has been destructive of team identity and that this situation has only persisted because of the NFL's monopoly status. The MLS faces direct viewing competition from some big spending European teams that may force it to change its structure.

In comment 13661045 ThatLimerickGuy said:

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In comment 13660908 SHO'NUFF said: Quote: I don't even get upset anymore... it used to be that a Giants loss meant me in a shitty mood for the entire week, especially after some of the ways we've lost games in the past. The last straw was the Desean Jackson/Matt Dodge incident where I nearly broke my kid's neck for mocking the loss...now, I just don't give a fuck because we are hilariously bad. Even last year's boat trip and subsequent playoff exit didn't upset me because I didn't expect much. Sure enough, the offense didn't fail to let me down with dropped pass after dropped pass. This year, I'm ok with doing things with the family while the game is on. Kohl's, honey? Sure. Costco? Why not? It just doesn't matter to me as much. After Eli hangs 'em up, I've considered not following as closely. But we'll see if management shows us that they give a fuck. Dude we all love the Giants and all were furious that day but you need to see a professional mental health expert if you almost hurt your kid after a loss. That isn't normal that you even considered that.

Believe me, that's when I had to step back and pretty much force myself to not care about the Giants as much. It wasn't as bad as it sounds physically because I have self control, but for a moment, a brief millisecond, the intent was there, and that's scary enough.

while my wife watched -- she starts screaming - "you're missing it! you're missing it! you're missing it!" so I come running in to see the penalty on the tail end of the big Engram gain - with a pan on a lit burner on the stove.

"Nothing to see here. Penalty," I replied, and turned around and went back to cooking

Why waste 3+ hours on what you know will be a crap football game when you can DVR it, enjoy the unseasonably warm weather, and go through the crapfest in 45-60 minutes?

I'm glad to see that others have seen the same problem in the NFL. I know a lot of people just watch the Giants - football was the one sport where I always enjoyed watching a good game, regardless of team or level (can pick up a CFB game not knowing either team and enjoy it so long as it's two solid teams playing).

The quality of the product has been declining for some time. I'm afraid the kneeling gives the NFL a good copout, the same way the election did last year. People aren't watching because it's hard to invest your personal time with these comedians when the officiating is a joke, the level of play is down, injuries are prevalent and there's nothing done about it (expanded rosters, different IR structure, etc.).

For years, the amount of money we pay to watch football has grown faster than the teams payrolls, and it's catching up to them in a big way now. With the new CBA and rookies not being as NFL ready as they had in the past, more injuries means more not-so-ready players in the game, means more sloppy play and losses.

The NFL had been hoping that fantasy sports would be able to cover up all that, but it seems like the die hard fans are now starting to take action. Cord cutting might be all we need for the NFL to tighten up their game and improve the situation.

In comment 13660909 Ten Ton Hammer said:

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under coughlin. Some things were consistent, but in the wrong direction.

We were VERY consistent under Coughling. Every year was completely inconsistent from the last. He kept that up every year. #consistency.