The theory of collectivism has many important lessons for the establishment of, and peaceful existence of, civil society. The idea that many groups join forces for the greater good is an ideal and that ideal can be seen in many facets of our daily lives.
In sports, however, I want collectivism as far away from me as possible. I find the timing of these two bits of information suspicious. It seems awfully odd to me that the Giants, who were leaning towards resting their starters, would do an about-face on the same day that the NFL announces that it will permit network television to simulcast the Giants-Patriots game on national television.
At this point, everyone knows that the NFL Network has been waging (and losing) a fierce battle against cable operators who refuse to add the NFL’s channel to basic cable packages. And it just so happens that the NFL Network has only had one compelling matchup all season, when it broadcast the Packers-Cowboys game late last month. Besides that game, fan demand for the NFL Network has been incredibly low – because the matchups have been so unappealing – and thus no grassroots pressure has been applied to the cable operators to budge from their position.
The Giants represent a small blip on the Patriots march to history. The Giants have nothing to play for, having claimed a playoff berth and a first round matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Patriots are playing only for the chance to set some team and personal milestones, having locked up the #1 seed several weeks ago.
Why should the Giants risk their health and play their starters against New England? The Giants have nothing to gain and everything to lose. Beating the Patriots won’t improve their playoff standing. Preventing the Patriots from finishing an unbeaten regular season won’t receive more than a historical footnote.
How dare the NFL dictate to its teams how to best prepare for the playoffs? As it is, a Giants-Bucs playoff game will be among the most boring playoff games in NFL history. Imagine if the Giants have to play it without some of their star players? As usual, the monolithic beast that is NFL management takes no note of what is in fans’ best interest (in this case, Giants fans) and decides to co-opt fair play to earn another buck. Fuck you, NFL. If a single member of the Giants gets hurt (or if Belichick runs up the score, as he’s wont to do), it’s on your fucking heads.
FTB. FNFL.
In sports, however, I want collectivism as far away from me as possible. I find the timing of these two bits of information suspicious. It seems awfully odd to me that the Giants, who were leaning towards resting their starters, would do an about-face on the same day that the NFL announces that it will permit network television to simulcast the Giants-Patriots game on national television.
At this point, everyone knows that the NFL Network has been waging (and losing) a fierce battle against cable operators who refuse to add the NFL’s channel to basic cable packages. And it just so happens that the NFL Network has only had one compelling matchup all season, when it broadcast the Packers-Cowboys game late last month. Besides that game, fan demand for the NFL Network has been incredibly low – because the matchups have been so unappealing – and thus no grassroots pressure has been applied to the cable operators to budge from their position.
The Giants represent a small blip on the Patriots march to history. The Giants have nothing to play for, having claimed a playoff berth and a first round matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Patriots are playing only for the chance to set some team and personal milestones, having locked up the #1 seed several weeks ago.
Why should the Giants risk their health and play their starters against New England? The Giants have nothing to gain and everything to lose. Beating the Patriots won’t improve their playoff standing. Preventing the Patriots from finishing an unbeaten regular season won’t receive more than a historical footnote.
How dare the NFL dictate to its teams how to best prepare for the playoffs? As it is, a Giants-Bucs playoff game will be among the most boring playoff games in NFL history. Imagine if the Giants have to play it without some of their star players? As usual, the monolithic beast that is NFL management takes no note of what is in fans’ best interest (in this case, Giants fans) and decides to co-opt fair play to earn another buck. Fuck you, NFL. If a single member of the Giants gets hurt (or if Belichick runs up the score, as he’s wont to do), it’s on your fucking heads.
FTB. FNFL.
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