Just because I received an inquiry as to why I was publicizing the blog of a whining woman who “doesn’t have a grip on much of anything” I feel the need to pass along some tidbits in more relevant subject areas. Hey, I was just helping a friend who has dog-sitting issues, but I digress. So here are some synopses of quasi-relevant stories that have crossed the Turkey Wire of late. (No whining women.)

Bowman and Baker are in deep shit, renewed felony charges pending. Yeah, reports say that they, among 15 PSU football players, were stomping a defenseless guy on the ground in that rumble at the HUB last October. CDT has the scoop. What was it? A week ago I said I was hoping for some feelgood stories in the off-season. Guess this sour taste will linger for a while.

JayPa is all full of himself with plans to implement the spread offense in 2008. Calling it the Spread HD, he’s not sure whether that means high-definition or heavy dud. Check out CDT once again.

An ESPN Radio rumor fodder tidbit involves Joe Paterno, who reportedly has been ill since the Alamo Bowl, voluntarily stepping down and being replaced by Jim Caldwell, currently quarterbacks and receivers coach under Tony Dungy for the NFL Indianapolis Colts. This makes for good buzzing for a few reasons, not the least of which is that Caldwell has a history with Penn State. The other relevant fact that was reported was that Joe is 81. Sheeeit, I didn’t know that, man! He even older than I is.

Recruiting season is in full swing, and I have nothing to say. Hell, who can keep track of all those high school kids? Once they get to Penn State, they’ll be fit into a system that is pretty creaky. The common wisdom for the past quarter century or so is that Penn State ruins quarterback recruits, so they look elsewhere. Kerry Collins was the one exception. His lengthy, albeit bumpy, NFL career attests to that. One decent quarterback in 25 years? No wonder Henne went to Michigan! The Nittany Lions can still get some pretty decent linebackers, though. It’s not that Paterno puts all the emphasis there, as some whiners suggest; it’s that linebackers want to play for Penn State—Linebacker U. The system conspires against PSU in other areas, from the soft Sandusky zone to the horizontal passing game. And then, of course, there’s the uncertainty of who will be the head coach when the current crop of recruits are seniors. (Be thankful I had nothing to say.)

Coach Galen Hall will be here in Central Florida in March for a cocktail reception. The Turkey will be there and will attempt to elicit some comments about the program. Or not. I’m not quite sure yet whether there will be a Q&A or any kind of open forum. The reception will be at the home of ex-Nittany Lion Mike McBath.

That is all for now. I’ve now tacitly atoned for posting the Playing With Fire stuff! It takes a whining woman every once in a while to see who is awake and reading out there. And here I was, wishing, hoping, and praying for a feelgood story that would shed a positive light on Dear Old State.