Fellers,
I would be shocked if New England's Media Relations department didn't have someone who skims the board(s) each day. They are, indeed, interested in the pulse of the fan base, because that has an impact on marketing decisions.
It doesn't have a HUGE impact on the team, per se, but floating an idea about this or that player on the wires, then seeing how it's reacted to by fans gives them an idea of how the player is percieved by the public.
The real user(s) of data mined from boards like this is the marketing gurus who use it as another integer in figuring out where to spend money, what types of food vendors the fans want, what jerseys to sell, what program format, etc. If something gets a very strong reaction on a board, then that reaction will be seen as indicative of a percentage of the fan base, and it will be considered in whether or not to go ahead with some item, or drop something from the line, etc.
Any company that doesn't take a regular look at what's it's customers are saying, especially when they can get that data for free by registering as a member of the forum, is foolish, and the Kraft family didn't get to where it is by ignoring it's customers.
I'm not saying that this board is a deciding influence on anything. It's not. However, it IS a small piece of the marketing puzzle, to be sure.
respects,