No News Is Good News

We are in the doldrums of the year when it comes to college football. Spring practice isn't underway, the spring game/draft is a month away, all is quiet in Nittany Nation. This is exactly the way a Penn State Football fan should want it. Let's examine the situation. Off-field news is almost always bad news. This time of year all news about the Lions is off-field news. No off-field news is good news.

The past few off-seasons have been full of juicy gossip and drama involving fights, trials. Last year we were in the throws of the Pryor-Sweepstakes, T. Sales got arrested, rumors were swirling regarding Joe choosing a successor, Quarless got a DUI during State Patty's Day, Chris Bell was kicked off the team for attacking another player, Pringle was fondling himself in the stacks, it was a busy off-season to say the least.

This year we are treated to the lovely silence of players behaving nicely and not getting into legal trouble. It is nice isn't it? News is so slow that BSD is covering PSU baseball! Soon, cats and dogs will live in harmony and Penn State will make it into the NCAA tournament! I mean, for the love of god, Joe must be on cloud 9 right now!

Life is good.

Oh yeah, by the way, Sean Lee is a goddamn bear!

GO STATE!

Nittany Lion Charged With DUI

Nittany Lion. DUI. Flibbity! Gibbity!

(deep breathing)

Okay. James D. Sheep, AKA THE NITTANY LION, was arrested on charges of DUI. Find it all here.

Have we come so far that even the mascots can't have lives of their own? Oh yes. And, you're welcome!

A few questions:

1. Did he perform on-armed push-ups as part of sobriety tests?
2. Did his status as "greatest mascot of all time" come up?
3. Did he attempt crowd-surf his way to freedom away from pursuing officers?
4. Pathetic roaring and scratching at officers probably didn't go over well, however, did they result in more charges?
5. Fulmer cup points?

I kid because I love!

GO STATE!

Get Your "Rapist" Signs Ready!

Coastal Carolina WR William Chandler has been arrested for:

third-degree assault with intent to commit criminal sexual conduct.

Translation: Rape.

Chandler is a Frosh WR for the Chanticleers. Currently, there is nothing up on their official website regarding his status.

This sounds serious. Austin Scott serious. What will it mean ultimately? Nobody knows. What does it mean short term? CCU is having a worse summer than PSU in the behavior dept. and this kid won't be playing next Saturday.

GO STATE!

Pringle Will Not Be In The Can

Stanley Pringle has been accepted in the ARD (accelerated rehabilitative disposition) program. This, of course, is in connection to his charge of open lewdness based off of an allegation that he was masturbating in Patee library. If he finishes ARD and his one year of probation he can ask to have his record expunged.

Yet another great chapter in Penn State Sports history comes to a close. Sigh.

GO State!

More Players Could Be In Trouble

The Collegian is reporting that there has been an incident involving "football players" at a pool party. Details are extremely limited. You know, like where, when, who, how, why. Just little things.

It is unclear whether it was Baker and Taylor and this incident is what precipitated their dismissal from the team or if it involves some other player/s.

"I was aware yesterday about an incident at a pool party -- that there was an accusation that it involved football players," Madeira said.

This is news comes to light just after Baker and Taylor were dismissed and where Joe apparently read the team the riot act (again) at a recent meeting.

Please let this just involve Baker and Taylor. If it is involves a different player I may just break down weeping.

Go State!

Bell is Man Enough To Use A Blade!

You miss one day of work/blogging because of a debilitating flu virus and the whole world goes to hell in a hand basket while you're gone.

If you were thinking that Chris Bell had an outside shot of playing in 2008 you were completely wrong. You see, Bell has "allegedly" pulled a knife on another student in the commons. Apparently general assholishness is at the top of Mr. Bell's To-Do list and not football.

This goes beyond childish pranks/mistakes. This is serious and terrible. I would banish him from the team until resolution. A guilty would equal permanent banishment. A not guilty would make me reconsider a lesser punishment.

Dammnit Bell.

PSU Snow-brawl of 2007

I don't know how, but I completely missed this last year:



It seems to be a smattering of Snowball fights, indecent exposure, and Football Player Body slams!


I might just be late to the party...whatever...enjoy!

GO STATE!

Jaypa Endorses Obama

Apparently, Jay is an Obama supporter. He spoke at Obama's new campaign office yesterday. Which is fine if that's what he wants to do but how fired up can Obama be?

Obama: Jay, thanks for your kind words. I appreciate it.
Jay: No problem. I was thinking....I could help your campaign.
Obama: Oh really? How?
Jay: I call it the Spread HD Campaign
Obama: Oh, Jay, I don't know if we want to change our stra.....
Jay: It is so advanced it will boggle Hillary's mind! It is a 50-State ready Hi Def campaign. It will make babies cry and old men shudder!
Obama: I don't think so.
Jay: YOU ARE MISSING OUT!
Obama: No, I'm not.

Go State!

Sales Arrested and Charged

Tyrell Sales was arrested on Saturday Night at Margarita Mama's in Pittsburgh. According to the Pitt Trib Review, Sales is accused of:

yelling and screaming at officers, balling his hands into fists and shouting obscenities, city police said.

Apparently, this all started when Sales was asked to leave the club and he became belligerent.

The only possible thing Sales could be charged with, if the above facts are the complete facts, is disorderly conduct. It would probably be a weak case at that. However, in light of the situation that PSU football finds itself in (AGAIN!) this off-season the possible repercussions from Joe could/should be quite heavy handed.

In looking at Margarita Mama's Myspace page, it is pretty clear what must've fueled Mr. Sales' rage that evening:
Nothing propels a young man to assholish behavior quite like a million Irish car bombs! The combination of Guinness and Liquor hurtles you right to the brink of insanity with startling speed!

So, lets get PSU up on the big Board over at EDSBS for the Fulmer Cup!

GO STATE! STAY OUT OF TROUBLE!

*********UPDATE*************
Sales describes himself as "focused" on his myspace page. At least, it is A myspace page.

Clearly he is not terribly focused. However, let's not blow this event into anything more than what it is: a young man who probably had too much to drink and got a little out of hand. This sort of thing happens all the time. However, with the scrutiny the program has been under the past year it is tough to imagine that the repercussions will not be severe.

Apathy or Disgust?

There has been much reporting of Penn State's off the field problems over the last 11 months. This blog has been no exception. This string of off-field antics is a notable deviation from PSU's record for civility. Recently, however, I've been just posting what I've learned about the various criminal proceedings against all of these players. What has been missing from all of this is not only my blistering commentary but also my over-the-top-rhetoric. Well, here it comes.

When it comes to all of these problems, one only has two possible feelings on the subject: Apathy or Disgust?

There are valid arguments on both sides. Do you want to skewer these young men for off-field antics typical to similarly situation young adults? These violations also come in a day where blogs (like this one) and the sports media in general inform us of all these indicidents. This is opposed to an era where Joe would handle these issues himself without media attention. Do not make the assumption that no football player ever got a DUI in the 1980s. It was just that when it happened Joe got a call in the middle of the night and he made the kid run until he would never do anything like that again. This was all done w/out any media attention.

Or, do you view donning the Blue and White as a privilege? A privelege which comes with the responsibility to uphold a tradition of excellence both on and off the field?

These issues have certainly bothered me. I have managed to stay perched on my high-horse by simply telling myself that these incidents are done by just a few bad apples. However, when the headlines read:

Quarless is sixth Penn State player suspended this offseason

(emphasis added)

It becomes impossible for this to be just a couple or a few bad apples. This seems to be several players who are getting themselves in situations that make Joe decide to suspend them. What is most disturbing to me is the fact that Joe's wrath has no effect. That having to answer to Sean Lee for hurting the team has no effect. That many of these offenses are SECOND OFFENSES! For example, Baker has multiple incidents of fighting. Quarless just cannot put down the bottle. It is remarkable.

I have to unleash the disgust. Kids will be kids. But enough is enough! I know that these guys give a lot to Penn State. Check this out:

These kids work hard.
But Penn State football is both a privilege and an honor. So stop fucking it up! Not just for some crazy guy who worries to much about PSU football (me). Not just for yourselves. But for your goddamn teammates! Don't let those guys down. Because they are counting on you.

Greatness is right in front of you. You just have to reach out and take it!

Now hit those fucking weights and stay out of trouble!

GO STATE!

Quarless and State Patty's Day

The rumor is floating around that Quarless was suspended after racking up his second underage drinking citation in eight months. If true, odds are it happened on State Patty's Day. Could any of these have been the incident that led to Quarless' downfall?

At 12:28 a.m. Saturday, police were called about a man urinating from a balcony at 340 E. Beaver Ave. But the victim could not say what apartment the man was at or provide a description, police said.

Or...

Police came to the rescue of a lost, drunken man who was “trapped” inside the State College Area High School’s track at 650 Westerly Parkway about 2:30 a.m. Saturday. He apparently was too intoxicated to get over a 4-foot-tall fence, according to a police report. The man will be cited with public drunkenness.

Nothing brings bestial side of man like some green beer!

GO STATE!

Quarless Suspended Indefinitely

PSU's All-Potential TE Andrew Quarless has been indefinitely suspended for an unspecified violation of team rules. Or so reports the CDT. However, the word on the street is another underage drinking citation. Yes, another.

Now I had a drink or two in college but if you are a star athlete with the potential to make millions of dollars don't you think you might be a little more discreet? Catch him once, no big deal. Boys will be boys. But twice? That is just being careless!

If I were Quarless I'd be worried that Sean Lee was going to hunt me down and kick my ass.

GO STATE! STAY OUT OF TROUBLE!

Scirrotto Speaks!

The Collegian spoke with Anthony Scirrotto and he spoke about the resolution of his criminal proceedings.

"I'm real happy," Scirrotto said, waiting his turn in the tiny rectangular room with a few others around him. "It's a lot of stress off my shoulders. Now I can move on with my life and try to gain the respect that I had before this whole incident occurred."

I'm sure it was. We're all glad it's over too.

On how he handled himself during the season:

"I basically became a hermit," Scirrotto said. "You know, it's college and there's people having fun that aren't really in the right mindset, so anything can happen, whether you provoke it or not. I have just been staying out of those types of situations."

See, this makes me feel bad for Anthony. I went to PSU and lets just say that I had an awesome 4 years. I never had any legal trouble but it does show you the intense scrutiny these kids are under. It is also quite clear that football is extremely important to Scirrotto and he did the right thing and has been laying low for almost a year. Other players, Baker I am looking in your direction, could learn from how Anthony handled himself after finding himself in trouble.

The article goes on to say that #7 felt better prepared in 2006 than he did in 2007 and basically attributes that to the criminal proceedings. Imagine an even more experienced, better prepared, bigger, stronger, Scirrotto prowling the defensive backfield in '08. That is something to get excited about!

The Scirrotto Chapter of the 2007 Spring Fight Is Closed

Anthnoy Scirrotto has taken a plea deal. He has plead guilty to Defiant Trespass, a misdemeanor, for his role in an off-campus fight last April. All it took was 10 months and one full season to resolve these charges. If you want all the gritty details you can check out the CDT and the Collegian.

I am compelled to show some love to RUTS who completely beat me to this story.

The only question left is how will Joe react to #7 actually pleading guilty to a crime. I really don't know that Joe will do. I'm sure he has known what Scirrotto's involvement was for quite some time and that this probably won't lead to any further serious Paterno-related-repercussions. But still. Could Joe nail him with something?

Over at RUTS he rails against the prosecutors in this case for bringing. This is completely fair and deserved. However, lets not leave the defense attorney's out of this. Check out what McGlaughlin, Scirrotto's attorney, had to say about this:

"I struggled, quite honestly -- I struggled with entering a plea," McGlaughlin told Centre County Judge Bradley P. Lunsford. "I still think this is an appropriate ARD case. I respect Mr. [Michael] Madeira's decision, but I disagree with that decision forever and a day."

I don't think he struggled with anything. He did a great job for Anthony. He got several extremely serious felony charges dropped down to a minor misdemeanor in which his client will pay a fine and do some community service. He did a great job but I don't think there was even a little bit of struggling with this offer.

Congrats Anthony! You beat the man!

NOW STAY OUT OF TROUBLE AND HIT THEM WEIGHTS!

GO STATE!

Agony or Ecstasy?

The Alamo bowl is less than two weeks away. The coaching carousel is in full blast in the Big Ten/Big East regions of the country which leaves me wondering: Should PSU fans be happy about the state of the program and where it is headed?

Clearly, there is no set answer to this question as it has been up on message boards and is frequent blog fodder (even for this particle article!), and leaves us only to chase opinions. What is more clear than the turbid crystal ball into which i'm currently gazing is that this season can be interpreted in more than one way. Obviously, PSU's 8-4 season was a disappointment to us all. I was really hoping that PSU could go 11-1 or 10-2 but the meltdown at Michigan, Illinois, and Michigan State exposed Penn State as a non-elite but competitive football team. However, was this a good season of excellent coaching which salvaged a potentially disastrous season (think 5-7) filled with fights, allegations, charges, and indictments? Or, was this an indication that Joe has lost control of the program, can't coach anymore, blah, blah, blah?

This was a good coaching job which helped a troubled team reach a bowl game. The Apartment Fight happened back in April which means that the team has been dragging around this albatross for 8 months. The team was cleaning the stadium after games (that won't wear on you 6 weeks into the season without a bye week?). Austin Scott was charged with a sexual assault and dismissed from the team. How many programs recover so easily from the dismissal of their #1 RB to start the season? Kinlaw did a wonderful job filling in and Royster looks like he could be the next great back at PSU, provided he stays healthy. Then there was the Hub Fight which has lead to yet more charges. Nobody sees how all of this can be a distraction to the program? A distraction to the team?

People who disagree with this assessment will simply point to the same incidents mentioned above and say: "Look. Joe has clearly lost control! We were poised to contend for a National Title and then went nowhere!" Certainly, these facts could be construed that way. However, this isn't a continuing pattern at PSU instead it is merely a single season of off-field incidents. If this sort of garbage is still going on this spring and into the fall then I'll join in the chorus of people saying that a change is needed. But for now, Joe has done a great job dealing with tons of off the field problems and got the team to a bowl game.

What gives myself (and i'm sure any other Penn State fan) a more queasy feelings is the question of where the program is headed. Rodriguez has gone to Michigan, he was certainly named as a possible Paterno replacement. Because of that vacancy the rumor is that WVU is talking to Bradley! Bradley's departure would also eliminate the most viable in-house replacement for Paterno. Leaving a lot of other coaches who don't really fit the criteria PSU should be looking for: relatively young, fired up, not Jay Paterno, ready to lead PSU to glory! Which would leave who, Schiano? Sounds good but is he as set on PSU as everyone speculates? The future is certainly murky and a cause for concern. But lets face it, Joe will continue to coach until he dies on the field at age 179. So take heart!

GO STATE! BEAT THE AGGIES!

Austin Scott Charged With Rape

WJACTV, and ESPN are both reporting that Austin Scott has been officially charged with rape. A Preliminary Hearing is set for Wednesday. (a preliminary hearing is where a judge determines whether or not there is probable cause supporting the charges which have been filed)

Scott is claiming it was consensual.

On the field Impact
The other shoe has dropped. However, Royster and Kinlaw have proven themselves as being more than capable so the on-field-impact should be minimal. However, the distractions won't be leaving any time soon.


Here we go.

Players Involed in HUB Brawl

Ok, this is kind of complicated and I'll try to go through it as best I can.

The CDT is reporting on a fight in the Hetzel Union Building (HUB) which started at around 1.48 Am and involved as many as 10 people.

In yet another CDT report Paterno had this to say about the image of PSU football:

"I don't think there's anything wrong with the image of the program."

Joe, there isn't a problem with the image of PSU football but if all of these reports are even partially true there is an ACTUAL problem with PSU football. These ridiculous antics need to stop!

Further in Joes presser Jeff Rice (a blogger for the CDT) is reporting that Joe then broke this news for us:

"I've been alerted there might have been a couple football players involved in a fight, to what extent, to what degree, I'm not sure yet."

As for the fallout of this, Laschout.com is reporting that we should be expecting Indefinite suspensions.

Not good. Not good at all.

GO STATE! BEAT WISCONSIN!

Truth and Rumors: The Underage Drinking Edition

The Rumor: is that Joe has dismissed Quarless (and Harriott) from the team leaving open the possibility of letting him/them return to the team.

The Truth: neither Joe nor the team has commented on Quarless's possible punishment. See Pitt Post-Gazette article here.

Penn State athletic department spokesman Jeff Nelson said yesterday that coach Joe Paterno is aware of the latest incident, but had no comment.

"I don't have any additional information at this time," Nelson said.

It's unclear how the charges will affect the playing status of the two players.

My Take: I don't think Joe is as reactionary as the rumors make him out to be. This isn't Paterno's first time dealing with a player drinking underage. All the comments I've heard out of Paterno in the past has been that he deals with it through physical punishment combined with the possibility of missing time on the field.
It certainly is possible that Joe has dismissed Quarless from the team but I just don't think it's true.
(HT: Brian Cassella)

The real tragedy in all of this is that this has to be a major distraction from the team's stated goal; to win a national title.

To ease your suffering I leave you with a ridiculous Penn State hype video (it is awesome)!




GO STATE! FOCUS ON THE SEASON!

Take a Deep Breath

LaschOut.com is reporting that Someone (JOE) is not too happy about the underage drinking charge leveled at Quarless and Harriott. I'm sure Joe isn't happy about the situation, nobody is. However, some of us (Sponsler I'm looking in your direction) are freaking out a little. I think this might be time to take a step back, take a deep breath, and look at what is going on. These two kids screwed up and Joe is going to handle it the same way he handled things in the past....run. Keep running. Vomit. Repeat.

RUTS has a good perspective on the situation. We aren't talking about Armageddon we are talking about an underage drinking charge.

GO STATE! CHILL OUT!