Sunday, September 10, 2017

The Jersey Giants start tonight and I don't give a damn

All my life, I've followed the New York "Football" Giants with a passion only slightly less than the Yankees. This is because when I was young, the Giants appeared to be the Yankees of the NFL. They had Andy Robustelli, Sam Huff, Jim Katcavage, Frank Gifford, Kyle Rote and Y.A Tittle - and I believed they would always dominate, just as I believed the Yankees would forever win.

Well, the NFL wanted no part of having a Yankee-style dominance, especially in New York, so it disbanded the three coaches that had built the Giants into a powerhouse. The defensive coach, Tom Landry, went to Dallas. The offensive coach, Vince Lombardi, moved to Wisconsin. And the team clipboard, Allie Sherman, stayed. We got the wrong of that deal, and the rest is history.

For the last 55 years, more or less, the Giants have been a roller coaster franchise, generally mediocre but with occasional bursts of unexplained joy. Nobody ever figured out how Tom Coughlin - who couldn't build a team that lasted more than six games - won two Super Bowls, but he did.

But today, with the Giants opening their season, all I feel toward the team, the league and the NFL is muscle memory. The reason: Injuries.

I mean, seriously, why should anybody devote five minutes to the Giants’ chances this year? Tonight, we could lose both our star defensive ends for the season. What we do know is that everybody – every single player on every single team – will get hurt at some point. This is because the players have gotten so big, so strong, so fast that the sheer blunt force of collisions is killing them, or at least posting threats to their futures that no athlete - pro or amateur - should ever face. 

If the Giants avoid injuries to their big players, they'll win the division. If not, they're done. What more is there to say?

They could win tonight and lose the season. It would be nice to beat Jerry Jones in Dallas – hell, I still hate the Cowboys - but you know what Giants fans should be hoping for? Injuries to the Cowboys. I should be literally hoping for players – real people – to get hurt, and who wants to live that way? I’m too old to give up football entirely. But if I could, I would.

2 comments:

  1. Well, it WOULD be nice to see Dak Prescott & Zeke Elliott taken out - - even more-so, Tom Brady...I can dream...

    I know what you're saying, though, Duque - - Aaron Rodgers took more hits today than someone with his frame should be expected to take...sure didn't make me very happy.

    ...but No Giants back in the day, then how in the hell would a young Midwesterner like myself have learned to love Vince Lombardi, and hate Tom Landry??

    Anyhow, Pack is tied for the lead in the NFL - - and the Cheatriots are tied for the bottom - - now, there's something to be thankful for...

    16 to 7 ain't bad, either - - just hope Joey BB doesn't blow out Chad Green's arm yet. LB (No J)

    ReplyDelete

  2. I really want the world to know about this great man who brought back happiness into my life again after my husband left me and the kids 3 years ago for another women online when i contacted Dr Believe he cast a love spell for me within 48 hours my ex husband start calling me and begging for forgiveness for everything that have happened between us. I was so happy to have my family back together with love again here is the email of Dr Believe via believelovespelltemple@gmail.com a man with the great powers you can also call him or add him on Whats-app: +2348156148821
    God bless you
    I am very grateful for your help in my marriage.


    ReplyDelete

Members of the blog can comment. To receive an e-mailed invitation, write to johnandsuzyn@gmail.com. And check spam if it doesn't show up. (Google account required.)

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.