LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

2008: JAN | FEB | MAR | APR | MAY | JUN | JUL | AUG |SEP | OCT | NOV | DEC
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July 3, 2008

You do a great job Pat, and as a former sportswriter, I welcome your efforts. I like all 3 topics. I must disagree about one point you made. The Giants won one of the greatest sport prizes in the world. A lot of players never reach this goal. As a disabled veteran I would like to know why a champion athlete would refuse the honor of appearing at the White House to meet the worst president in our history. We read about charitable works and family ties that concern players so why not say to a player: "Hi John! How come you didn't go to the W.H. yesterday?" It would be interesting to read some of the reasons they declined. Keep up the good work. -- Al S  

Al, thank you for the kudos and the feedback. I do not feel comfortable asking a guy about his political beliefs; I firmly believe it’s no one’s business. I appreciate everything veterans such as yourself have given to our country. And you know I aim to please when it comes to readers requests. But politics is something I cannot, nor will not get involved with outside of performing my duty as a citizen (paying taxes, voting, etc.).

I just dont understand why shockey would not be happy with blocking more anyway. Obviously if the coaches feel they need an extra blocker in there its to protect eli so he can get the ball off. So that means if the let shockey run free instead of take on a defender and eli gets sacked then he wont get the ball anyway!! Which would he prefer, eli get hurt or 30 less catches i mean really. – Mark J.

Mark, if the rumors are true, it just underscores that he’s NOT a team player, that he’s ALL about himself and that all he cares about is inflating his numbers.  You want to win? Fine. Do what’s asked of you to contribute instead of raising a stink.

Not having the facts has always been used as a way for the power elites to justify unsound policies and practices. We know enough about the Bradshaw case to know no major crime was committed and that he was a juvinile at the time of commission. His confinement just would not have happened in comparable European countries. If you don't wish to check the facts and figures, at least look at the section of Sicko I mentioned. The whole film is worth watching both for its revelations and its humor. I won't be reponding immediately to any response as we'll be away for a few weeks. – Albert M.

Albert, first, I have no desire to watch a Michael Moore film. Second, we do NOT know enough about the Bradshaw case to know why he was put into jail and I really wish you’d stop speculating about it.  He had to have done SOMETHING to violate his parole to warrant a jail sentence. Seriously Albert, there are far more pressing football matters to talk about than a jail sentence which will be over in a few days. 

In response to some of these comments regarding the PSL. Since when was football not a for-profit business? Maybe some people here need to be reminded of that. Perhaps they need to re-value the importance they place on those tickets. I think the tickets can be valuable, however, they are no doubt expensive. If you have the money and are willing to take the dive then go for it. If not, tough luck, someone else can. – Bill D.

Bill, as someone who is going to have to pay a PSL, I’m not happy about it. however, I knew it was coming and I’ve prepared for it (hopefully I’ve prepared enough for it.) Basedon the various reactions I’ve seen, people are resiting change – and that’s perfrectly natural. Unfortuantely the world does change and I think what people are failing to realize is that the money the Giants collect on the PSLs won’t cover the stadium expenses (not after taxes) and it doesn’t even cover the new practice facility being built.

Pat, in regards to my June 23rd letter regarding Shockey and Plax holding out, I think I am seeing the big picture. First, the main point of my letter is that we as fans shouldn't automatically come down hard on football players trying to maximize their earnings in what is often a short and brutal career. I would never stand in the way of someone who works hard for a living trying to take whatever steps necessary to maximize their earnings potential.

For example, I have been a paid subscriber to Inside Football since 1989, yet if you raised your subscription prices by a decent clip next year, I would likely sign up again realizing that maybe all the great content I have been getting all these years has been undervalued compared to the competition. Now while I realize Plax making 3.25 million this year is in a different ballpark than the rest of us, we can only judge him relative to his peer group of NFL wide receivers.

All I'm saying is lets keep the level of discussion to the economics of football, and whether or not its a good move for the Giants to extend or restructure Plax given his relative level of play vs pay! My view is that Plax is a huge priority for the team and it makes sense to take care of him now. Shockey on the other hand is well paid relative to performance, so I agree we should not give in to his demands. – Pete L.

Pete, I understand your point. But the door has to work both ways. If a player has a crappy year, I don’t see him going back to management and offering to take a lower salary the next year. I’m all for paying a guy what he’s worth; I just get sick and tired of players whining about being underpaid after they’ve had a good year because in my mind, show me you can have more than one good year before I open up the checkbook for you. Regarding Plax, he’s 30 and has had a bunch of injuries to his legs over the years. Doesn’t that concern you just a bit?

I am in shock. My family has gone to Giants games from their 1st year as an organization,1925, at the Polo Grounds. My dad attended games from 1925 until 2002. I have been attending games from 1950 up to the present. My children have been going since the 1970's and now I take my grandchildren to the games. I fear this long relationship will be concluded as the PSLs will translate to RIPs for our participation with the Giants.

Oh, btw, Wellington Mara GAVE my dad 2 tickets to 3 Super Bowls, the Miami/Niners, the Giants/Broncos and the Giants/Buffalo games AND tickets to the post game parties of the Giants victories. The old order changes and yields place to the new, and God fulfills Himself in many ways, lest one good custom should corrupt the world! – Bob G.

Bob, thanks for weighing in. I can’t wait to see what the Jets decide to do. Why do I suspect it’s going to create an uproar?

I read that at the recent mini camp TC pulled the disgruntled players aside for 10 minutes to set things straight. Is this true? I only read it on one site, and you would think news like that would be reported everywhere. I believe this season we are really going to appreciate Coach Coughlin more than ever. We have many issues going into this season, and he may be the one person who can keep these players focused. Your take please? – Anthony B.

Anthony, if that happened, it happened behind closed doors. I can’t remember though what coach said in his transcripts. I think he’s proven that he can lay down the foundation to keep guys focused., so I’m not worried about him.

July 1, 2008

I asked readers of this forum their thoughts on three topics: the PSL issue, the “What are they like?” feature running for subscribers only, and the suggestion by Kyle seeking “behind the scenes content” from our staff’s perspectives.

Here are the responses regarding the PSLs… 

I WOULD GIVE UP MY TICKETS. – Walter J.

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I think the new PSL deal is totally B.S. My family has had their seats since the opening of the current stadium and I hardly go because I live in Florida. It's hard to get up there for a Sunday game and still make it to work on Monday. I have a friend who benefits from my absence, but my way of maintaining my father's legacy. They are totally screwing over their current ticket holders who've spent thousands of dollars over the years in support of their team by asking them to pay for their new stadium, in part, which is designed to bring them a huge increase in revenue. This is the first time ever I can remember feeling that this organization did something that totally lacked class. – Jimi D.

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As far as I'm concerned I'd probably let my tickets go. At this point in my life I prefer watching games in High Def in the comfort of my family room. My 21 year old son who goes to a lot more games is bummed and I feel crappy about that. The trend of professional sports team screwing over the average ticket holder for corporations is really kind of sickening. So now my options are: 1) Let the tickets go.  2) Suck it up and buy the PSL's (if I read the letter correctly they can be sold in the future to a third party, I'm wondering if they will appreciate in value).  3) Put a group together to buy the PSL's (I've had four great seats for a long time and have a regular group of guys who buy any tickets I don't use and they have already approached me about this). For now I'll just wait and see how things play out. – Ernest B.

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I read your website regularly and season tickets have been in the family since Yankee Stadium.  I'm not a subscriber, primarily due to college age students so I have to manage costs everywhere.  That being said, I have been prepared for this inevitable announcement.  My family has 4 upper deck seats so we know we are looking at a $4k total charge.  I was anticipating a PSL amount in this range and think that it is fair.  We'll be splitting this bill between my brother, brother-in-law, cousin and myself.  The "PSL" will be in all four of our names so no one person can sell their seat without the others agreement.  It's a fact of modern day life, $1k for a seat that I would never forgive myself for giving up.  Besides, now we can rest assured that the tickets will remain in the family should some family member inadvertently throw away perceived junk mail when it is actually the season ticket invoice (I heard this has happened!) This from a fifty something year old guy who saw YA Tittle, Joe Pisarcik, yet went to Lambeau and SB XLII earlier this year. Go Blue! – Ed K.

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As a life long Giant fan and a 6 year season ticket holder I’ve always believed that the demand for Giants tickets could be one of the most inelastic curves we see exist in life.  I have no doubt that the Giants will fill every one of those seats at (nearly) any price they decide to set. For me personally, the idea of paying $5,000 for my PSL (this is of course assuming that seat location fits the price charged—and all of the information we’ve received to this point seems to indicate that PSL fees will be fair) is really not such a horrifying concept.  The PSL is an investment and one that I believe can be capitalized on down the road if necessary. 

It’s not the PSL we should be worried about…it’s ticket prices.  My concern is (and has been) that the annual ticket rates will increase dramatically.  This one-time fee seems to be the cost of being a fan in the modern NFL and frankly, to be expected.  I think most could come up with a PSL fee to lock-down their seat for ever, but asking them to come up with $2,000, $3,000, $4,000 year over year to attend 10 games (only 8 of which matter) might cause trouble for many long-time time fans. -- Dave P.

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Sadly , after 45 years of season tickets, we will have to give them up. With the cost of everything else, this is just impossible. The Giants “fan base” will be corporate fat cats and ticket brokers. -- Bob

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I bought my season tickets in 1958 and have renewed each year including 2008-09. The Giants have always given me and my friends great fun, and also great pleasure over the years. So here we are  faced with not an incremental cost but from Mr Mara's letter a substantial increase which when paid  only permits a payer to purchase tickets, which price increases each year.

I have seen Mel Hein Tuffy Lehman Bill Pascal play and every Giant from 1951. The license plan will force me out- at 78 yrs-with some great memories (especially LT) this will be my last year. It seems that professional sports are seeking and catering to an "elite" type of fan (look at the fans on the circular at Jet games). However I will continue with you and I.F.. -- Bill H.

RE: “What They’re Like” Feature

I've read the two installments (of What They’re Like) and thoroughly enjoy them. It gives you unique insight and information that you will never receive from other sources. It makes you realize players have a human side and are not immune to life as we all live it. Hope you get my drift, keep up the excellent work. – Charles C.

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Another "can't get this anywhere else" feature.  What's not to like? Don't forget to include other staff, I'm sure they'd like everyone to see how they contribute to IF. – Burt D.

I agree with George R., Pat. I got a kick out of your latest installment. It’s great how your perspective changes as you 'mature' isn't it? Anyway, the feature is a keeper in my opinion. --  Bob T.

REGULAR LTTE

Once before, when I raised a political issue you stated that you didn't wish to deal with such issues. Unfortunately sometimes the social and political issues have a direct impact on the game. Pat Lynch is perhaps the most tragic example. Right now another social problem is impacting a Giant.

I am referring to the Bradshaw imprisonment. Has anyone commented on the absurdity of this? In the so called "land of the free" more than a million people are in prison. The US leads the world in this area. China with over a billion people is a distant second. For some one to be made to sit in prison for the types of acts Bradshaw allegedly committed as a juvenile would be unthinkable in most western European societies, whose political and economic systems are roughly comparable to our own.

I am wondering why the Giants with all their great financial resources couldn't have provided Bradshaw with the kind of legal representation which could have resolved this problem without him spending 30 days in jail. Even though it is mainly about healthcare the “Sicko” DVD has an outake on how real criminals are treated in Denmark. I recommend watching it , both for its lessons and its humor. – Albert M.

Albert, what I said was that I had no desire to go to the players and ask them their political views or to find out why those who chose not to go to the White House made that decision. That’s none of my business. 

Regarding Bradshaw, this isn’t about politics. For starters, neither you nor I have all the facts regarding why he was jailed and because of that, to speculate is not in anyone’s best interest. Don’t turn the situation into a political issue or a witch hunt, especially when there are enough athletes and celebrities who get away with stuff that the common citizen would probably be more heavily penalized for.

Your point is well taken. I mean the way I look at it....I could deal with losing seasons even, the next few years, given the high I'm still on from the march to the Bowl. No matter what...I will be a satisfied fan, and satisfied subscriber to Inside Football. I mean how many times in a life can your team win the Super Bowl? And share it with a community of Giant fans like we have at Inside Football?

So, I could buy on 'don't pay him', bit the bullet sentiment. I could. But I sure hate to saddle Eli with TWO major malcontents. One is enough. Plax is liable to be a "major malcontent' no matter what. I've had reason and chance to watch the guy from his first year at Mich St. I know a bit about him. You could pay him and he could STILL be moody that you did not pay him quick enough. But is there any doubt what he will do if the Giants don't make some adjustment? I don't think so.

And I love Eli so much, I just think he is a quality person, and a nice man, a rare guy in sports. I don't want to see him endure the spectacle of Shockey and Plax disgruntled. If, that is, it can be avoid given the reality of the salary cap dynamics. Because that spectacle would be really ugly. –Jon S

Jon, based on what I’m hearing, things with Plaxico stand a better chance of being resolved versus the situation with the tight end.

Success, it seems, is not a situation the NY Giants fans and/or media can handle well. We are poor winners (but great losers). In short order, after a brilliant playoff run, resulting in one of the most amazing stories in NFL playoff history, we're now figuring out how to screw it up. The NFL as I see it: The past great teams, Packers 60s, Steelers 70s, 49ers 80s, and Cowboys 90s, that won consistently (not just one and done or one Super Bowl, were good (not necessarily great) across the board. They had a good running game keyed by an OL, could throw short or long (one deep threat, at least), had good (dependable) special teams, especially FGs and punts, and, of course, had a top 5 defense with either a dominant front 4 or LB crew. The Giants have a lot of this already since the coach and GM seems to recognize the fundamentals, and under JR appear to understand they have to bring in fresh blood (via the draft) every year to feed the team - BRAVO!!

So to the point ... trade Shockey to NO for a 5th rounder - just get him out of here - he's a huge talent but a pain and a distraction and is definitely unhappy as a "team" player called on to block too often for his taste. Yes, he may hurt us down the line when we play NO, but he'll do more damage if he stays.

Negotiate with Burress, but don't give away the store - okay, if we have to, give away half the store (at least this year). We NEED a deep threat - that's him - and we have to have him to loosen up the opposing defenses so we can run the ball, at least until someone steps up and shows he can another Eagle-killer. Without a deep threat against the Birds (or anybody for that matter), they'll load the box and we'll be on the wrong end of those 20-17 games we always seem to play. Plax deserves the money for delivering at least three victories over our most ancient, hated, and fierce rivals (The Eagles) these past few years. Pay him - please!!!

Can we agree to cut Coughlin, his staff, and Manning some slack, at least for say 10 games into the 08 season before declaring it was a one season fluke in 07 and call for their firing, mass changes, etc. like last year? I doubt it, but at least, knowing that NO ONE is predicting the Giants to even repeat as NFC East champs should provide some motivation for the team. The Giants have previously never come close to duplicating their great seasons ('86, '90, '00). How about the media and the loony fan fringe lay off for awhile - we have the nucleus already in place for 2 Super Bowls in the next 5 years - give peace a chance! – Gary H.

Gary, you don’t give away a talent like Shockey. Yes, he’s a pain in the rear right now. But you’re suggesting that management give in to him and that would be the WORST thing they could do in my opinion.

Pat - The "what are they like" section is definitely a keeper. One complaint though is that you stop hinting at stories that you won't tell. Perhaps you feel it adds some spice but I find those "I've got a secret" sections frustrating. No interest in the behind the scenes at IF idea. Sorry. Final comment on the PSL. I am not a season football holder (although put my name on the list about 20 years ago and then gave up). Personally I think the Giants need some turnover in season ticket holders as we the crowd is just too old and sedate these days. No wonder we are better on the road. Some new blood would be a good thing. – Jeff S.

Jeff, going in reverse here, you do realize that a fair number of season ticket holders sell their seats to a younger crowd, right? I’ve said this before and will probably get slammed for saying it, but the Giants’ game day presentation could use a much needed shot in the arm. I’ve been to toher stadiums and they really do a lot to get the crowd into things right from pregame through halftime. At Giants Stadium? Their idea of halftime entertainment is a pee wee football bgame or a dog catching Frisbees.

RE: my hinting at things. Sometimes I can’t give you 100% of the details (such as naming names). I’m not trying to add spice or be deceiving. I try to bring you as much as I possibly can but there are times when I just can’t take it all the ay. My feelings has always been that to give something is better than to give nothing, but if your fellow readers disagree, I’ll stop all together. 

Regarding the behind the scenes at IF – I thought about it and really there isn’t much to share. I get information, I read through it, I write it as best as I can. End of story. I don’t pre-plan very much in the way of interviews or anything like that because you really can’t pre-plan that stuff.

So I hear a lot of "experts" on t.v. and radio say that Brandon Jacobs is good but he runs upright and that leads to a lot of injuries. Do you think his running style will get him banged up in 08? Do you see or hear any of the coaches trying to work with him to fix that problem, or is there even a problem to begin with? – Mark J.

Mark, no one can predict injury in advance, though it’s probably safe to say that given the violent nature of the game, everyone who plays deals with some sort of ailment.