Eh, on the one hand, I just feel like I'm being rational, but on the other, I'm sure what you say is true to some extent. I'm human. To be honest, in every interview I've seen with Firor, Wheeler, Aliprando, and Konkle (maybe to a lesser extent), I've thought they seemed genuine, and really into the game - like they seem like really good people who are building something they would like to play. I have to admit, though, that Sage, from day one, has given me a bit of a 'salesman vibe' like - I don't trust him. I don't know him at all, but he just uses too much PR speak, and too many generalities, and just.. his tone.
Also, you keep lumping Firor in with failed devs, but the last game he worked on was DAOC, and I think it was the best game ever. Even with TOA and NF, if he had a part in those. There were some very original things going on with TOA. It was a misstep, but I don't think it ruined the game. I played for years after that. I'm still giving him the benefit of the doubt until we see how ESO turns out.