While it's entirely possible that we did get off track, I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss everyone aside from the "one guy at the beginning." There's good lessons to be learned.
If you have the chance, I recommend trying to track down a copy of the 2007 FIRST Behind the Design book.
Also, here's a few teams that I'd recommend checking out from that year. There are many many other very successful teams, but these are some that I remember the best.
71
111
233
469
And also, the videos from
Einstein that year.