Fanfrom1960

Snake, I live in Northern California (Santa Clara County) and, unless you are in the "black hole" at the Oakland Coliseum, you could wear Patriots gear from head to toe, carrying a Raiders suck sign and nobody would probably bother you. I thought SoCal was the same way with the laid back personality the area has, but I guess it depends on if the local team is competitive or not. Chargers are that, Raiders definitely not for a few years now. One other thing that gets more astounding to me as time goes on is the fact that there is no NFL team in LA. Doesn't this also speak to the relative ennui for football down there? Thank God Bob Kraft (it is mostly attributable to him, isn't it?) kept the Patriots in Foxboro. Once you lose a team it could take forever to get one back.

FFDan

When I left San Diego in the fall of '04, the Chargers were basically a second thought to most San Diegans. "Raiders Nation" was finally creeping back north. Of course you had your diehards, butmost people didn't gobeyond casual fanhood. I think most people felt the Bolts were more of a burden then anything else with all the stadium and ticket issues. Seems like things have changed though. Judging by thier message boards, it seems like much of OC and LA have gotten on the bandwagon. It's amazing what a few good seasons and a little uniform change will do.
My next trip out there i will gladly wear some Pats gear just to gauge popular opinions.