We Are Better, 4/11/26, LB, MN, Class of '27
- Thread starter Tom McAndrew
- Start date
Tom. I was thinking about this (We Are Better) sign for commits. The issue with it I think is that PSU isn’t really better unless they sign to actually stay with the team now that NIL is involved. So I wanted to suggest using the term (Fish On)instead. If they actually commit and sign in December then their caught and in the PSU Boat for awhile but they could flip and flop around for a year in the PSU boat but find a way to flip back out so saying (we are better)is not going to fly anymore Just an idea. Sick of the we are better crap. When the kids don’t even play a down. And leave for greener pastures
Just. We are better doesn’t either. Plus you’re not a fisherman I imagine. All good
How about we keep it simple and just title it "New Commit" or "New Football Commit"?
How about preliminary financial settlement reached?
Hope nobody else comments about this or tom is going to make me stand in the corner for an hour for asking this question in the 2027 committee thread Sorry hope a couple of you get a laugh out of it
I don't know that we need to destroy everything that BGJ said or did. Yeah, he is an egotistical maniac in many ways, but he never seemed to be any sort of evil presence to me. In fact, and I know that will upset many here, he came off to me as a good family man, a caring mentor for his players, and generally a positive figure in the PSU community.
No need to bring back that silly bat signal thing, but I have no problem with "We Are...better". It is an instantly recognizable thread title that draws me in to see and learn about new commits. Overall, a positive thing.
Don't like it...don't open/read it. *shrug*
No need to bring back that silly bat signal thing, but I have no problem with "We Are...better". It is an instantly recognizable thread title that draws me in to see and learn about new commits. Overall, a positive thing.
Don't like it...don't open/read it. *shrug*
Well said, and I feel much the same way about Franklin.
I liked “We Are Better” as an extension of our cheer and an expression that every time a new recruit chooses Penn State, it is indeed to the common betterment of us all. I think it encompasses very well the “team” mentality that we try to instill in our players.
I understand the thinking of many that because it was a JF creation it should be done away with now. But I think it will be hard to find a replacement phrase that works as well. Just my opinion.
The problem is there is no commitment. It’s all bs. How many actually stay till they graduate at the school they first committed to in the present
I also understand the cynical viewpoint that a verbal commitment doesn’t mean the kid will ever end up playing a down for PSU, for lots of possible reasons. I don’t feel like we need to build in a nod to that possibility in our catchphrase for what should still be a celebratory moment and an expression of positive forward thinking.
I mean, at that point you might as well include a footnote too that says “Granted, of course, we aren’t all killed by a giant meteor strike tomorrow.”
C’mon, just be happy in the moment.
I mean, at that point you might as well include a footnote too that says “Granted, of course, we aren’t all killed by a giant meteor strike tomorrow.”
C’mon, just be happy in the moment.
Two things I think I think;
first, a lot of kids stick with the program they commit too. In fact, PSU may have as many as eight young men selected in the draft coming up, which would be a record. Most of those kids are home grown PSU kids. It's unfortunate, but the bigger name kids get the lion's share of the attention (and maybe the cash) so them transferring sticks out to all of us. But it is the fact that many of those kids are 'attention trollops' in the first place that lends to their desire to transfer every year and have that light shined on them yet again.
second, it's very easy to fall into a cynical mind set about college sports these days. It's important to remind ourselves that there are 80+ on the football team, for example, and only a handful of them transfer out. But some transfer in, which can be a net positive. It's up to the coaches to build a culture that promotes loyalty within the program. That said, as long as transfers are open like they are now some kids will look around for money or playing time. Just the way it is now.
Never jump to conclusions about my actions, or lack thereof. A combination of a very busy weekend for me, and PSU sports having a lot of contests that I periodically had to post info about, meant I barely got involved in any discussions.
As to what you proposed, a several things:
- prospects have de-committed as long as I've been following recruiting, which has been more years than I care to admit
- while NIL is an added component in recruiting, in many ways it's nothing more than fans being more aware of an aspect of recruiting. Money has been involved in recruiting for decades. And some prospects, or some families, have for decades used the recruiting process to enhance their financial situation. NIL makes the process more visible to fans, though the details of NIL agreements are still, for the most part, kept private
- in the context of the above, I really don't find recruiting to be all that different, in the over-all picture, than it was decades ago
- the rules on transferring are significantly different than they were just a decade ago. That has enabled some players on teams to switch teams (sometimes multiple times) during their college playing years. Yes, that does alienate some fans, particularly with regards to a player that leaves their team. But while the rules have changed, transferring did exist years ago. I frankly think the current system is better for the student-athletes. But I also concede that it makes things more difficult for fans, especially in situations where a team at their favorite college loses a large number of players
Switching to your suggestion for a replacement for We Are Better, I don't think "Fish On" quickly conveys at a glance that PSU got a football recruit to publicly verbal to them.
I remain open to suggestion for a replacement for We Are Better, but will continue to use it until I'm satisfied with a replacement, or until I think it is no longer an effective means of announcing a verbal.
I completely agree.
And I also don’t fool myself for a minute into thinking that among the “fiercely loyal” PSU players of teams past, there might not have been a few who would have transferred if today’s rules had existed then.
I’d like to believe it wouldn’t have been many, but I’m sure there would have been some. It’s the landscape that has changed the most of all… kids’ attitudes have morphed along with it, sure, but you can’t tell me that some players back in the day wouldn’t have moved on if they felt that would have been the best move for them.