You and I are pretty much in complete agreement on this point (and deflation too). I very seldom trade futures options these days but when I do, I usually hold them for few hours only in rapidly declining markets (usually currencies).
I used to also sell puts or calls just before expiry if I wanted to enter a futures contract position long or short (mostly in T-Bonds and Notes). This strategy was just too much ado about nothing.

I have also traded NG and Wheat options. Trading the former is like throwing darts in a dark room. I often wish to throw these darts at the experts advising "investors" to take various spread position in these illiquid and schizophrenic markets.

However, I do see one important role for futures options market. One can find himself on a wrong side of a limit up or down move, especially in grains unable to unload his losing positions. He can then go to the options market and buy calls or puts minimize losses (options do not have price limits).