So, something occurred to me overnight. This battle that we're seeing, I don't think it's about pro- or anti- Belichick or Brady (though that's part of it, and the catalyst.) I think it's about the sports media and attitudes.
Two things happened over the last ~20 years: Patriots dominance (along with solid success in other main sports) ...and the internet. The last time the Patriots weren't a dominant franchise there was no option for local sports except WEEI, Shank & Co.
I wonder how much of the resistance to going back to one is a resistance to the other? I wonder how much signs of losing the dominance are triggered with the return of "the negativity in this town sucks."
And in both directions. For me, I hear the old Boston Sports Attitude negativity and I think going back to that is worse than the futility.