Penn State's problem all centers around the playcalling. The playcalling is predictable and weak for the number of athletes we have on this team.
I was talking with some fellow Penn State alum, and we all noticed that Zack Mills played great when he came as a relief quarterback. The reason he played better is because the coaching staff let him go out and play, and that is not what is happening with Rob Bolden.
They are calling some very vanilla plays, and it's not helping him or this team develop.
They need to go back to the spread HD or something because run, run, and pass on three-and-long is not going to win football games.
When you want to win big games, you have to make statement right off the back and that is what Illinois did. The play to Derek Moye should have been Penn State's first play.
JoePa just really needs to open up the playbook and go wild.
People point the blame in a lot of areas, but mine is the playcalling.
If you are weak in a particular area, you adjust to make the situation work out. Boise State did not compare on any level with Oklahoma in that bowl game, but they called plays that put them in a position to compete and pull off the upset. In the case of PSU, if the line is bad, call plays to get the ball out of Bolden's hands quicker.
The defense needs to go to tackling camp. We need to recruit down south because I have noticed up north these kids are afraid to hit. Overall, the playcalling is way too conservative, and the zone coverage is very weak.
If a team runs a spread you leave the linebackers covering slot receivers, who are normally quick. Joe may not reach that 400-victory milestone if they do not change the playcalling.
James C. Williams
Philadelphia
Will bowl game even help?
Before this season began I thought we'd be facing two, maybe three losses - Ohio State, Alabama and maybe Iowa.
After seeing them play Alabama, I still thought that was reasonable. Now it seems like we're going to be lucky to escape with a winning record, and the way this team is playing I kind of hope we don't make it to a bowl. To be embarrassed again on the national level would be sad.
Poor defensive line play, linebacker tackling, secondary coverage equal the worst defense I've ever seen wear blue and white. On offense, the line can't pass protect or run block, Evan Royster is going to end his career as the leading rusher, with what is so far a horrible year, and poor offensive playcalling.
One high note this season, Jacob Fagnano, a kid that comes from my town, recovered a fumble last week. Maybe if we keep this up, our kicker or punter will be award finalists.
Ben Thompson
Williamsport
Manager won't solve Bucs' issues
Pirates fans (if there are any left) owe GM Neal Huntington a debt of gratitude. At least you know well in advance that you'll get hosed again next year.
In firing John Russell, Huntington basically acknowledged giving the manager little talent to work with after selling or trading the team's best players - and he gave no indication it would be any different for the next manager. Or the next.
Bud Selig was willing to go to the mattresses to make sure his buddy Nolan Ryan would own the Texas Rangers. What is he willing to do to get the Pirates to field a major-league team?
Audrey Korotkin
Tyrone
