The alleged ring leader of an invasion and assault that involved numerous Penn State football players is apparently seeking a plea bargain instead of going to trial. The reason he wants a deal? He just wants to get on with his life. That might not be a terrible idea because a trial would loom over not only Scirrotto but the entire football team possibly. Why have this news loom over the football action for as long as it happens?
Both sides declined to discuss what Scirrotto may plead to or what his possible punishment could be. [Scirrotto's attorney, Ron] McGlaughlin said he is hopeful [Centre County District Attorney, Michael] Madeira will grant the student entry into the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition program, which would allow Scirrotto to have his record cleared if he completes court-ordered programs, fines and probation.
Scirrotto’s plea is set to be submitted on February 14, Valentine’s Day. On the other hand, Chris Baker’s trial is set to begin March 31. Baker is one of the Nittany Lions being charged for, among other things, simple assault. That tells me Scirrotto’s troubles will be behind him way before Baker continues to be in the news for the wrong reasons.
The nominees for the College Football Blog Awards have been announced and White Blue Demonstrated would like to extend its congratulations to all blogs receiving nominations.
Special recognition to Black Shoe Diaries, which is nominated for best Big Ten blog. Special recognition also goes to Temple Football Forever, nominated for Best Non BCS blog, which was one I personally voiced my opinions for.
Leading up to the Super Bowl there is a lot of filler articles in papers. Heck, they do have two weeks leading up to the game. So naturally there are feature articles on individual players that are both the stars and those who are a little under the radar. Kyle Brady is a player who has always been solid but never a star in the NFL.
This story tells how Brady still has his central PA roots [link]. Brady will play in the Super Bowl this Sunday for the New England Patriots against the New York Giants. Good luck to Brady as well as former Nittany Lions Jay Alford and Kareem McKenzie, both of the Giants).
Trivia question: Which NFL team drafted Brady in the 1995? Answer tomorrow.
Chris Baker discussed his future, which is hazy to say the least at this point. He relizes that playing football at Penn State is unlikely. You can read the entire story from The Daily Collegian here.
Below are some choice quotes from the article.
“I’ve been getting accused of something I had nothing to do with,” he said. “They had a description of a big black male, and I happened to fit it. I happened to fit the description of a big black male. Walking to class every day, when [news stories] were on the front page, everybody thinks I’m a big thug.”
He later added: “I don’t feel I’m being singled out, but I don’t feel I’m getting a fair shot. I know I didn’t do anything and a lot of people in the football building know that I didn’t do anything.”
“If things don’t work out here at Penn State, then I’ll have to go to another school or something and do what I have to do,” Baker said. “I wouldn’t want to go to another Division I school just because I’d have to sit out a year, so I’d look to like a Division I-AA school, but I don’t know which school.”
Dan, I love ya, but I despise your agent. While Rosenhaus doesn’t exactly have the fan friendly persona you have to admit that he gets the deal done for his clients. As I have said before, as long as Connor doesn’t find himself doing push-ups in his driveway during training camp, he will have a good career. I don’t personally see Connor being a stand out at the combine (hopefully I’m wrong) but I do see Connor being a very reliable linebacker for years to come. He may not be a Pro Bowl type player, but whatever team has him will be happy to have him.
The Centre Daily Times is reporting that former Nittany Lions Chris Baker and Navorro Bowman will be tried together rather than having separate trials [Link]. To which I say good. Why waste tax payer’s dollars on two separate trials?
The allegations don’t look good for Bowman and Baker who are being tried for the infamous HUB fight incident.
Baker and Bowman are the two players who were originally unnamed in the three players that were excused from the team, including Knowledge Timmons.
Dan Connor, while down in Mobile, Alabama for the Senior Bowl is getting his name around. Here is an article in the Press Register in Alabama. Paul Posluszny’s advice to Connor?
“I called him and he told me to be ready to work,” Connor said. “It’s a lot of long days with interviews with different teams and meetings and practices. It’s a long week, but it’s so worth it in the long run. You get to be around guys you’ve seen on television so much and meet the NFL coaches.” - [link]
Elsewhere, Shane Conlan was runner up for greatest college football player (by number) in a recent list by Sports Illustrated. Who did the PSU linebacker play second fiddle too? Ironically it is an Ohio State player. From The Post-Journal article;
Only Vic Janowicz, the 1950 Heisman Trophy winner from Ohio State, was selected ahead of Conlan, who played for the Nittany Lions from 1982-86.
Anthony Morelli sure had a rough outing in the East-West Shrine Game this past weekend and possibly hurt any prospects of being drafted by the NFL. Meanwhile Dan Connor is getting set to play in the Senior Bowl this coming weekend.
Morelli through two interceptions which of course is not good. Here is Scout.com’s brief take on Morelli;
Two quarterbacks who failed to distinguish themselves were Anthony Morelli of Penn State and Sam Keller of Nebraska. Scouts questioned Morelli’s decision making and accuracy, and Keller drew criticism for a funky release and a lack of accuracy.
The Shrine Game was thought to help Morelli’s NFL stock rise with a good performance. I would still expect that he will be invited to an NFL training camp somewhere though. Perhaps with the Buffalo Bills, New York Jets or Atlanta Falcons.
Connor is a sure first round selection in my opinion so the only thing that could hurt him in the Senior Bowl is if he injures himself. The Senior Bowl will be televised on the NFL Network at 4pm this Saturday.
