but a LARGE part of the patriot fanbase are people who started rooting for them JUST because they started winning and being popular (or because they don't know **** about football and picked a team that wins) ... can't stand those (and those are the only ones i know)
We're making progress here, so bear with me.
While I concede your part of your point is correct, it needs to be slightly altered. The Patriots are the new kid in town. The Red Sox were established in 1901, the Bruins in 1924, the Celtics in 1946 and the Pats arrived in 1960. No matter what, they had an uphill climb in this area. Add that to the fact that they were not god for a long time, and that does not breed excitement for a fanbase. You have to build a following for the fans to come. As you know, the Dolphins went through this, they didn't get that kind of fanatical fan response until they won. In addition, you did not have pro hockey, baseball or basketball to contend with in '66.
When I interviewed Mike Webster, from the 70's Steeler's Iron Curtain teams, he told me the same thing. The Steelers were not a good team for a while, and it wasn't until Knoll & co. assembled those power houses did the fan support become what it was. The obvious point here, is that it takes a winner to make people excited and fans, especially if there are other teams to contend with.
Add to that the fact that we played at a glorified high school stadium that was filled with a lot of unruly fans, and it didn't make the team family friendly either. In fairness, the team did experience a growing fan base over the years, and had some competitive teams in the 70's and 80's. I can only speak for myself, but my earliest memories are about the early 80's. I was in tears in Super Bowl XX.
Now, as for the Pats fans that bother you so much (and hey, I know a lot of who are bother me too), the "modern" Pats fan actually came of age and became this fanatical once the Big Three arrived in Parcells, Bledsoe and Kraft in '93. Sell-outs ever since. We've had some good times and bad, but I wouldn't trade it for anything.
Anyway, don't take the fans too seriously, it's the game we're really loving. Should be another monster match-up between our two teams as usual.
Take care.
Nice try troll, but not true in the slightest. Ronnie, Zach Thomas, about 4 safeties including Yeremiah Bell and Renaldo Hill as well as Tillman and Worrell, Ricky Williams, Channign Crowder, Andre Goodman, Trent Green, plus others. Oh, did I mention these were all starters and all on IR? There were more that only missed a few games as well. Again, nice try, but your troll attempt failed.
