I think the whole problem people have with the black collar (I admit it took a while for me to warm up to it too and still like a few variants better), is people didn't understand the point of it.
It is more than just a collar, it is a bit wider and more of a statement than that, yet not much more.
There is no other forms of black accents to tie it in in the rest of the uniform at least as far as the reds, not counting accessories.
At first sight it really stands out, but after a while it seams to just fit there. Then if it is supposed to represent the black on a cardinal then it fits.
If you add black accessories it ties together.
I can see all sides of this argument, and at this point I like the uniform, I also like the alternate version with the added cardinal and white in the collar.
Ultimately, the black doesn't bother me anymore, I just want to see a gold set (with helmet) added, and then I the rest are great to me. Some of the tweaks here and there are cool, and would keep it fresh, but our unis are looking great, we just need that gold set, to complete it.