Good Morning, Mr. Melonfeud. Copy on the "buddy" portion of your post.
I've been thinking for quite some time that the inter-division rivalries exists more among the fans than it does among the teams.
FA killed off the rivalry aspect of it with the players and there's no coaching animosities like we used to have that really added to the game for me. Johnson calling out Ryan and their little word spat was fun and the Allen-Landry rivalry was a riot. I really do miss that and now all we have is a bunch of pc head coaches not saying anything to upset a possible future employer.
There are some flare ups during games but that bulletin board material is a big yawn now because that stuff doesn't work on millionaires.
I can remember when the rookies coming in would talk about how it was the vets job to build the heat in the division rivalry, especially the Skins because that was the best one ever, even better than CHI-GB and KC-OAK. The fans fed off the players and now it is the reverse. All the players want to win the division but that deep loathing that keeping another team from winning it is almost as good is gone.
I still have it for the Eagles and Giants but that Skins rivalry is still the strongest even though this looks like a two horse race. The Skins, from Allen inside Landry's head to Talbert punching Roger to Theismann just being himself to Riggins and his camo stunt was just special. I could get my heart rate up just thinking about kickoff when I got up those mornings. And on one Monday night, the Cowboys fans stood taller than ever when they stood, as one, and sang Happy Birthday to Theismann after throwing his 5th pick.
The last player we had to get the juices going was Brandon Jacobs with the Giants. He was mouthy and we loved that, really added to the rivalry. But today, not one shoots their mouth off to get that going. Got Lawrence shooting his off about Wentz's contract, which shows the depth of his intelligence, make it about the money, you tool.
Yep, times have changed and not for the better. I find myself disliking our own players more than the ones within the division, now that Beckham is gone.