I would agree with all of this on the most part.
The only part I don't is the Ian worshiping part. I really don't see it that way, they don't know the person on a personal level, so, hard to project that on a message board.
I just feel people are over joyed that they are adding parts to Madden that people have asked for. It feels like they are contributing to a game that they used to have passion for and that fire maybe firing back up.
I wouldn't take anything personal on a message board, including worshiping.
Also, I feel it's too premature for asking for programmers from the other side. Let's wait till 10 drops to make that assessment.