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Readers give Dispatch sports editor Brian White their takes on Ohio State football, the Cleveland Browns and more.

Have more comments, questions? Reach out to me at [email protected]. Letters are lightly edited for clarity.

On Ohio State incentives

To Brian: What’s with all the incentive pay in the OSU athletic department? With OSU athletic director Ross Bjork's $1.65 million salary and coach Ryan Day's $12 million yearly base pay, isn’t that enough for them to want to work hard and do their job and do it well without the need for incentive pay? Both Bjork and Day have jobs most people would die for but they need incentives? What’s up with that? There are any number of janitors, nurses and educators (many at OSU) who work hard and do great work without receiving incentive pay but don’t make millions in base salary.

What’s the next incentive pay for Bjork and Day? How about an incentive for saying hello to three or more students in a week, or parking their own car on campus or maybe just for showing up for work on time? The incentive pay in the OSU athletic department is out of control. OSU president Ted Carter talks about fiscal responsibility for the university. How about getting rid of all the athletic department incentive pay then putting that money into teaching salaries and student programs? What a novel idea, putting more money into educating students and not producing football players who now make millions themselves. A new incentive program could be “do your job or be fired.” That’s the incentive program for the rest of the world outside of the OSU athletic department.

Chet Ridenour Sr., Worthington

To Chet: Good thoughts. And, yes, the pay is outrageous. But it's pretty simple: It costs a lot of money to keep coaches and athletic directors who could get that pay elsewhere.

Ohio State football coach Ryan Day and athletic director Ross Bjork both earned bonus money after reaching various incentive benchmarks.

On the Crew

To the editor: Does the Crew think stoppage time means stop playing defense?

Brent DeWees, Pickerington

The Green Bay Packers are famously publicly owned.

On the Cleveland Browns, NFL

Hi, Brian: To Dennis Singleton, who, in his letter of Sept. 21 wrote, "Why anyone in Ohio has interest in the NFL is a mystery to me," I offer this:

I was a Browns fan for years until Art Modell moved the team to Baltimore in 1996. There would be no Cleveland Browns for three years, so I had to decide on another team to root for. Since the Bengals (and the Ravens) were out of the question, I looked at every team in the league and after much consideration decided to hitch my wagon to a team steeped in excellence and tradition, the Green Bay Packers. Lo and behold, that very year they won the Super Bowl! I have since then acquired a Packers tattoo and even become a team owner (shareholder). It's so much more fun to be behind a team that can actually be expected to win!

Mike Adamkosky, Columbus

Columbus Dispatch sports reporter Adam Jardy continues to cover the Ohio State men's basketball team.

On Adam Jardy

To Brian: To my surprise, I’ve recently seen Adam Jardy’s byline on some (gasp!) football stories. Congratulations to Adam, I think. He’s a great writer and communicator. I’ve been awed by the time and effort he’s put into covering college basketball, as gleaned from his podcasts. Typically, he’d be toiling into the wee hours in some remote Big Ten outpost and facing a long drive home in the morning. I know that resources are strained lately, but I hope we can still expect quality b-ball coverage.

Kevin F. Duffy, Columbus

To Kevin: Adam is indeed a star for us. But don't worry, he is continuing to cover Ohio State men's basketball. He and others are filling in on the football beat due to the departure of beat writer Bill Rabinowitz.

On sportsmanship at Ohio State games

Dear Brian: In reference to the letter from Phil Harrell in the Sept. 21 Dispatch, Mr. Harrell hit so many nails right on the head, I believe he must be a master carpenter. Your response was also right on.

I suggest that perhaps a sportsmanship judge be added to officiating crews to sit in the press box and penalize the home team for unsportsmanlike conduct when the stadium operating crew forgets what it’s there for.

Maybe high school football is also ready for such an official, too.

Edward DeVennish, Blacklick

Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. stiff arms Christian Rozeboom of the Carolina Panthers on Sept. 14.

On Marvin Harrison Jr.

To the editor: Marvin Harrison Jr. is facing some early adversity in the pros, but Buckeye Nation has not forgotten who he is or what he represents. At Ohio State he showed us excellence, consistency and the kind of character that made Buckeye Nation proud to call him one of us.

A knowledgeable pro football observer knows the transition to the pros is not easy, and even a great athlete such as Harrison will hit rough sailing. What matters most is that Buckeye Nation is unwavering in times of turmoil. Like the post office, through rain, sleet, or snow, we stand with him.

We believe that Marvin will find his stride, just like he did in Columbus, and the league will see what we know: A star doesn't fade, but may just take time to shine through a cloudy patch.

Michael N. Oser, Upper Arlington

To Michael: Yes, but Emeka Egbuka doesn't seem to be having trouble adjusting to the pro game. Or Quinshon Judkins.

Curt Cignetti's Indiana Hoosiers were 4-0 entering a Sept. 27 game against Iowa.

On Curt Cignetti

To Brian: The football Buckeyes have had only 16 losing conference records in their 112 years in the conference. Indiana had had only 18 winning conference records in 124 years through 2023 and then came Curt Cignetti. Maybe the other schools in the conference should be grateful Indiana didn't hire him 20 years ago.

Dennis Singleton, Dayton