Pittsburgh fans feel differently about the Steelers than they do about the Pirates or Penguins. And they felt that way back when the Steelers were the Cubs of professional football.I mean, the Steelers have had few losing seasons and have generally been a stable, competetive franchise since Chuck Noll arrived. But Steeler fans just love their team and Pats fans only love them when they are good?
Boston fans feel that way about the Red Sox and the Bruins. The Celtics, not so much. Time will tell if the Pats have moved from the latter camp to the former. If they have, you make a good about Kraft deserving a big chunk of credit for that (assuming you're willing to forgive the Hartford gambit).