Why are the Steelers losing and struggling?
If it ain't broke, don't fix it. They play three good quarters; why not four? When they change to their "prevent" defense, give up the shorter passes so they don't get stung with a long pass for a score, so what?
Scrap the prevent. It's no good most of the time.
If the Chargers quarterback couldn't throw long for three quarters, he shouldn't in the fourth, either. Everyone misses Mr. 43, Troy Polamalu; he usually covered Ike Taylor's butt. Troy will be back, but they have to win without him, too. There's no excuse for two in the loss column.
Now to Willie Parker. Is there a running back that will go down easier than Parker? If there isn't a nice hole, he gets: A) dropped; B) loses yardage.
Rashard Mendenhall fought, squirmed and twisted for yards plus found some nice holes. Watch how fast Parker's turf toe gets better. Mendenhall is our future back. Let Parker's contract run out, and don't put an extension on the one he has. Continue to start and play Mendenhall until he doesn't perform, and last, coach Tomlin needs to find a pair of hands for Ike Taylor and some sense of direction to the receiver he is supposed to cover.
If they don't change, come Jan. 3, they'll all be looking up at the scoreboard hoping for help.
Rodger Macak
Altoona
Will never root for Vick or his team
In a recent letter to this page, the contributor pushed for more playing time for Michael Vick, claiming he had "a lot to bring to the table."
This is true if you want to learn how to torture, maim and/or kill friendly, trusting animals like dogs, including puppies.
When the Eagles signed Vick, it didn't bother me at all, because for years now, Philadelphia has been known as the city that has booed anything and everything from Santa Claus to our national anthem. And although geographically Philadelphia is located in Pennsylvania, I have always thought of it being a suburb of Trenton, New Jersey or even New York City.
I am a lifelong, rabid Steeler fanatic, but if the Steelers signed Vick, I would have immediately found another team to root for. Any organization that places so much emphasis on winning that they would sign a semi-humanoid like Michael Vick, would not get my support.
But then, with a group like the Rooneys running things in Pittsburgh, there's nothing to worry about.
Ed Leipold
Altoona
One family's perfect weekend
The Sept. 19 weekend was a doozy for our family here in the midst of Steeler Country.
Our beloved Bears kind of closed the curtain on your local "tin boys." And the Irish came away with another NBC Classic you'll be able to catch one of these days.
JoePa kicked around a no-name jayvee team. But most of all, our daughter was married Saturday, Sept. 19, and the weather was perfect. What a weekend.
P.S. Our "new son" is a Steeler and Penn State fan. Go Irish!
Don Zengel
Hollidaysburg
Fire the players, not the manager
I disagree with the author who wrote "[Cecil] Cooper was not getting the job done" in an Associated Press article published Sept. 27.
The article said Cooper was the fourth manager fired this season. I think they should look into making changes on the team rather than just firing every manager that doesn't win them games.
The Houston Astros firing their manager was a bad idea.
Ryan McClatchy
Philadelphia
