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While I agree that the game isn't what it once was, I think the game on the field is what matters. Of the points you allude to, there are a couple that do give me pause.
1. Is there more than one way to build a winning team? I've beat the drum loudly that a franchise QB is the only way to build a team that can consistently compete for a SB year in and year out. I still mostly believe that, but with the way thigh paid QBs have impacted their team's salary caps, I'm beginning to think there may be another way. I don't have all the numbers in front of me, but it seems like the Ravens, Patriots, Cowboys, Packers, Giants, and Steelers are having trouble putting sufficient talent around their big $ QBs. SB championships over the last 10 years seem to be linked to being well rounded more than having a very top QB. I wish there was more balance between offense and defense and between passing and running, but air circuses haven't achieved a lock hold on winning the SB. There still seems to be some kind of balance.
2. The other key is that the game is called fairly. There is a perception that it isn't. That maybe teams lead by stars get a few more calls that go their way than non-sexy teams, especially when the game is on the line. That would be totally unacceptable if it were true. It seems that this is a testable hypothesis. If a well designed study were able to show favoritism, I think it could be publicized effectively, and would pretty much put an end to the practice.
3. The troubling trend that I'm most concerned with is the player safety issue. Player lawsuits could really damage the financial viability of the game. I think the league will continue to modify the rules to protect player safety. I also think fewer kids will play football due to safety concerns by their parents. Over time, I think that player safety issues will do more to undermine the game we love(d) than any other influence.
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