Mailbox: Ohio State DBs need better technique; and Pete Rose ushering in gambling is tacky

Have more comments, questions? Reach out to me at bwhite1@dispatch.com

Oct 8, 2022; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans wide receiver Jayden Reed (1) makes a catch against Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Cameron Brown (26) in the first quarter of the NCAA Division I football game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and Michigan State Spartans at Spartan Stadium.

On Ohio State football

To the editor: It seems to me that the new defensive scheme that the Buckeyes installed this season was effective against inferior opponents but struggled mightily when paired with opponents with a winning record (or a pulse). The most troubling aspects of the defense overall are the same issues it has faced for years – poor tackling and sub-par secondary play. I rarely hear anyone talking about our DBs’ technique. Simple things like looking back for the ball. I watch a lot of college football, and the DBs for most of the teams I watch have superior technique to ours. And since when do they teach trying to knock a ball carrier over with a shoulder? Or grabbing him by the upper body, hoping you can pull him off balance? How about you lead with your shoulder, drive your legs and wrap the ball carrier’s legs? Are those outdated and novel concepts?

Greg Keeler, Newark

Atlanta Falcons linebacker Roger Harper takes a break from practice in 1994.

To the editor: The “Backyard Football” article should have included Roger Harper, who was born and raised in Columbus and attended Centennial High School. He was first-team All State in basketball and football and played in the NFL for the Atlanta Falcons and Dallas Cowboys. Most importantly, he lives in Columbus and has given back to the community by running youth community centers and organizing NFL flag football.

Jeffrey Meyer

Former Philadelphia Phillies player Pete Rose tips his hat to fans during an alumni day event before a baseball game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Washington Nationals, Sunday, Aug. 7, 2022, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

On sports gambling

To Brian: When betting on sporting events becomes legal in Ohio just after the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve, Pete Rose will make the first bet. How tacky to choose this man who I once respected but proved himself to be a self-absorbed scoundrel who flaunted the rules at every turn to even be involved. If you think he didn’t start gambling until his 40’s, you’re kidding yourself. And then there are the other personal indiscretions. And I wonder how this affects the long-standing prohibition on gambling by players. I’m guessing buddies will do that for those inclined to think it must be OK now, and we’ll see how that turns out.

Story continues

Dennis Singleton, Dayton

Cleveland Guardians’ Myles Straw watches his single off Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Jeffrey Springs during the third inning of a baseball game Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)

On the Cleveland Guardians

To the editor: Now that the Guardians solved their catching problem, they have a similar gap: opportunity with Myles Straw in center. Straw is anemic at the plate. He barely ever hits the ball hard. One stat which doesn’t come out is that he’s not a money player. He is dead last in all of Major League Baseball, batting .038 with runners in scoring position. Kind of a choker.

Plenty of teams need defense, so trade him while we can. Won’t skip a beat moving Steven Kwan to center and plenty of options for left. Will Benson and many other rookies are batting over .300 in Columbus.

Dale Dumek, Fairlawn

Dec 2, 2022; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes Mac Podraza (10) receives a serve during the NCAA women’s volleyball tournament first round match against the Tennessee State Tigers at the Covelli Center. Mandatory Credit: Adam Cairns-The Columbus Dispatch

On Ohio State volleyball

To Brian: The Dispatch article telling me that despite the coaches of the OSU women’s volleyball team knowing five talented players still had a year of eligibility left they still recruited others to fill those scholarships leaves me wondering what they were thinking. Couldn’t they have spoken with these players and offered scholarships only to replace anyone intending to leave or taken other options even obvious to me? Was the athletic director in agreement with this? These Buckeyes could have remained Buckeyes with a chance at having a special season next year; but they let that slip away needlessly.

Dennis Singleton, Dayton

On the Columbus Crew

To the editor: (The Crew’s wish list) should have added a better season-ending schedule than the six-of-last-nine-games-away schedule they were handed. Did Crew management have a chance to object?

Bill Allman    

To Bill: I’m not sure if the Crew objected to the schedule when it came out. I also believe they were as bad at closing out games at home as they were on the road.

Etc.

To Brian:

All I want for Christmas is

Those ol’ box scores

A few less ads

A few pages more.

All I want for Christmas is

A few late scores

And have them in the morn –

Could you stay past 4?

AlI want for Christmas is

Rose Bowl trip

Or a Florida-coast dip.

Then I’ll get some sun (Brr)

And renew my subscription.

(I know you take the heat

From those letters every week

But I hope you’ll find the space

And show a little grace.

You’ve got a deadline

But aren’t my words sublime?)

What I’m trying to say

On this special day:

Mr. White, won’t you please…

Wish us all

A Merry Christmas!!

Larry Cheek, Dublin

To Larry: Now that I’m back from a break, here’s a belated Happy Holidays to our loyal readers and letter writers (and, lately, poets). I, too, wish we had later deadlines, more box scores, etc. But we don’t, and we now rely on our online product to deliver the late news and more depth. It’s an online product that is very good and a great supplement to what you see in print.

More from the Mailbox:

Disdain for the NIL era and joy at Ohio State’s possible rematch with Michigan

Ohio State football coaches’ bonuses in wake of Michigan loss adds to the pain

Ohio State lost to Michigan in football, and readers aren’t happy

How dare Ohio State fans think about football at a Columbus Blue Jackets game!

Ryan Day, CJ Stroud get lifetime passes for Kamryn Babb’s emotional Ohio State TD

Ryan Day outcoached, OSU line is soft, and about the Woody vs. Day comparison …

Ryan Day is a better coach than Woody Hayes … unless he loses to Michigan again

Kudos to the performance at the Ohio State-Iowa football game … by the bands

List of best Ohio State football home games should include these crushing losses

Ryan Day, Ohio State football not preparing properly in case of CJ Stroud injury

Get more Ohio State football news by listening to our podcasts Get more Ohio State football news by listening to our podcasts

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State DBs need better technique; and why Pete Rose?: Letters