Giants Life (part II): How the Dart Trade went down

[MightyGiants]

https://www.giants.com/video/#

[Bob In PA]

Rich: I own the same jacket Schoen's wearing in the draft day video. I bought mine about 30 years ago. Apparently, it's a classic style because there's no way his is thirty years old. Bob

[Jolly Blue Giant]

For whatever reason, I cannot ever watch a video from the site you posted. This is not a new thing for me, nor is it the first time I've deep dived into figuring out why. I use Firefox as my browser as well as a VPN, and have activated three different ad blockers. I clear my cache, turn off the ad blockers, and the site still won't allow me to see the videos on that site. Irritating, but oh well. So I use the headliner from this thread, copy/paste it on YouTube and I get this...hoping it's the same thing posted above. Works for me anyway

[MightyGiants]

For whatever reason, I cannot ever watch a video from the site you posted. This is not a new thing for me, nor is it the first time I've deep dived into figuring out why. I use Firefox as my browser as well as a VPN, and have activated three different ad blockers. I clear my cache, turn off the ad blockers, and the site still won't allow me to see the videos on that site. Irritating, but oh well. So I use the headliner from this thread, copy/paste it on YouTube and I get this...hoping it's the same thing posted above. Works for me anyway

This video was from the Giants.com website; you shouldn't have problems.  As for YouTube, they are cracking down on ad blockers so if you try and block ads Youtube videos may not work for you

[Jolly Blue Giant]

This video was from the Giants.com website; you shouldn't have problems.  As for YouTube, they are cracking down on ad blockers so if you try and block ads Youtube videos may not work for you

I've never once been able to watch a video on Giants.com...and believe me, I've tried everything. I could switch browsers to Chrome or Edge (hate them both with a passion), or Opera, but don't care for that either. I've used Firefox for years, and I suspect there is an issue with my browser having so many security measures. But I don't know. I have no trouble with YouTube ever, just videos on Giants.com

[MightyGiants]

I've never once been able to watch a video on Giants.com...and believe me, I've tried everything. I could switch browsers to Chrome or Edge (hate them both with a passion), or Opera, but don't care for that either. I've used Firefox for years, and I suspect there is an issue with my browser having so many security measures. But I don't know. I have no trouble with YouTube ever, just videos on Giants.com

From AI

Thanks for the detailed context — that really helps narrow things down.
Given that:

• You use Firefox
• You run a VPN
• You've tried with and without ad blockers
• You've cleared cache
• YouTube works fine, but Giants.com videos never work, ever

...then the issue almost certainly lies in how the Giants.com site delivers and verifies video content — most likely via a third-party video host (such as JWPlayer, Brightcove, or Akamai CDN) that detects VPNs or filters by region/cookies/device fingerprinting.
🧩 Likely Culprit: VPN + Giants.com CDN/Geo-block
Giants.com (an NFL-managed site) often embeds video hosted by third-party content delivery networks. These networks can block video playback based on:

• IP geolocation mismatches (VPN exit node not in an allowed region)
• Missing or blocked tracking cookies or scripts
• User agent fingerprints suggesting privacy tools are active
• Blocked referrers or autoplay policies

Even if ad blockers are off, your VPN + Firefox privacy settings may combine to silently block essential video APIs or tracking headers the player relies on.
✅ Targeted Fix Suggestions
Try the following in this order:
1. Temporarily Disable the VPN
Some CDNs block VPN traffic by default, especially for licensed sports content.

• Disable VPN.
• Open Firefox in Private Window (to avoid cookie residue).
• Go to: https://www.giants.com/video
• Click a video and see if it plays.

If it works now → VPN is the culprit.
2. Try Chromium-Based Browser with VPN Off
Some video platforms have known compatibility issues with Firefox and newer tracking protection.

• Try Chrome, Edge, or Brave (with VPN still off).
• Again, open in Incognito or Private mode.
• If it works → Firefox privacy defaults may be too strict.

3. Test a Direct Video URL
Sometimes Giants.com video pages fail, but the underlying video player URL works.

• Right-click the black video box → Select "Copy video URL" or "Inspect"
• Paste into a new tab or test in another browser

Let me know if you'd like help pulling a video URL to test.
4. Check Firefox's Enhanced Tracking Protection

• Go to Giants.com
• Click the shield icon in the URL bar (top left)
• Temporarily disable Enhanced Tracking Protection for the site
• Reload the page and test a video

5. Check Console Logs for Errors
If none of the above work, let's check what's breaking:

• Go to a Giants.com video page
• Press
  
  Code Select Expand
  F12 → Click Console tab
• Try playing a video
• Look for any red errors, such as:
  
  • Code Select Expand
    MediaError
  • Code Select Expand
    403 Forbidden
  • Code Select Expand
    Missing M3U8
  • Code Select Expand
    jwplayer is not defined

Copy and paste those here — I'll translate them.
If none of this works, I can reach out to Giants.com support or NFL digital operations on your behalf to ask what CDNs or policies might be blocking legitimate users. Just let me know.
And yeah — it is irritating. You're definitely not the only fan frustrated by how locked-down and inconsistent team media platforms can be.

[Jolly Blue Giant]

That's an incredible technical proposition. I followed their advice, went to "private browsing" (usually dedicated to porn, lol) that avoids cookies and VOILÀ, the video played perfectly. Must be due to Firefox's enhanced security measures to deal with cookies or something 

BTW, thanks Rich. I never thought of going to AI to solve a technical problem. I've used AI, but I'm still a wet-behind-the-ears, snot-nosed, rookie when it comes to taking full advantage of what it has to offer

[MightyGiants]

That's an incredible technical proposition. I followed their advice, went to "private browsing" (usually dedicated to porn, lol) that avoids cookies and VOILÀ, the video played perfectly. Must be due to Firefox's enhanced security measures to deal with cookies or something 

BTW, thanks Rich. I never thought of going to AI to solve a technical problem. I've used AI, but I'm still a wet-behind-the-ears, snot-nosed, rookie when it comes to taking full advantage of what it has to offer

Ric,

I copied and pasted your description of the problem to get that answer.  The key to AI is not learning it as much as learning to take advantage of it.

[Bob In PA]

For whatever reason, I cannot ever watch a video from the site you posted. This is not a new thing for me, nor is it the first time I've deep dived into figuring out why. I use Firefox as my browser as well as a VPN, and have activated three different ad blockers. I clear my cache, turn off the ad blockers, and the site still won't allow me to see the videos on that site. Irritating, but oh well. So I use the headliner from this thread, copy/paste it on YouTube and I get this...hoping it's the same thing posted above. Works for me anyway

Jolly: Could be something you blocked in the past which is merely exercising your previous instructions.

Try looking into your web browser for sites you may have blocked in the past.

Also, I don't know as much about the inner workings of this site as @MightyGiants and @Ed Vette so don't do anything until one of them responds.

Bob

PS. Oh, I see I missed Rich's reply to you. Looks like I may not have been too far "off" in my suggestion.

[MightyGiants]

Jolly: Could be something you blocked in the past which is merely exercising your previous instructions.

Try looking into your web browser for sites you may have blocked in the past.

Also, I don't know as much about the inner workings of this site as @MightyGiants and @Ed Vette so don't do anything until one of them responds.

Bob

PS. Oh, I see I missed Rich's reply to you. Looks like I may not have been too far "off" in my suggestion.

Another way to look at it is you were replaced by artificial intelligence       

[Ed Vette]

Ric, try switching to Google Chrome.

[Jolly Blue Giant]

Ric, try switching to Google Chrome.

I refuse to use chrome unless it's absolutely necessary. Google has made their fortune tracking people, gathering data, and selling it to aggressive sales' companies. I still use Google on occasion to research something on the internet, but prefer to use DuckDuckGo, free to use and free from prying eyes wanting to get rich selling my information. Firefox is known for its user-friendly interface and advanced privacy settings. They do not sell my data. I've tried them all...chrome, edge, safari, opera, etc...hell, I used Mosaic and Netscape for years before they folded. I have a problem with the biggest companies, i.e., Microsoft, Google, and especially Facebook, TikTok and Instagram who are the worst for selling personal data

[Ed Vette]

I refuse to use chrome unless it's absolutely necessary. Google has made their fortune tracking people, gathering data, and selling it to aggressive sales' companies. I still use Google on occasion to research something on the internet, but prefer to use DuckDuckGo, free to use and free from prying eyes wanting to get rich selling my information. Firefox is known for its user-friendly interface and advanced privacy settings. They do not sell my data. I've tried them all...chrome, edge, safari, opera, etc...hell, I used Mosaic and Netscape for years before they folded. I have a problem with the biggest companies, i.e., Microsoft, Google, and especially Facebook, TikTok and Instagram who are the worst for selling personal data

Way too much information for me...