Plugrush sites still penalized?
 

I'm seeing a lot fewer PR users in the SERPs lately.

Plugrush was only ever penalized if you were using them with mobile redirects turned on. I never had any of my sites turned on, hence the money keeps flowing in. Mobile redirects are shady business practice. :2 cents:

that ... and sig spot.

They could becoming like multiple content if everyone has plugs at top of page and similar categories if your own content is up front it should be still unique enough to rank.

Yep. This.