Though Penn State football officials aren't offering a clear explanation for the dismissal of defensive tackles Chris Baker and Phil Taylor this week, police are investigating two recent incidents that may have involved them and other players.
Both players had been previously suspended from the team -- Taylor also was temporarily expelled from the university -- for their roles in fights over the past 15 months.
But two recent incidents may have entered into coach Joe Paterno's decision to permanently remove both, which was announced at a Tuesday squad meeting.
Baker, a redshirt junior, was cited by police on July 15 for harboring a dangerous dog after his pit bull attacked two people, according to the Centre Daily Times. He must pay a
$358 fine after his dog, Abby, allegedly caused bite marks to the necks, backs and chests of the two victims.
Also, Centre County District Attorney Michael Madeira told The Daily Collegian that police are investigating a recent incident at a pool party that may have involved football players as well. No charges have been made yet in that case.
Penn State spokesmen Brian Siegrist and Guido D'Elia said they were unable to release any information regarding the particulars of the dismissals. This also comes just a few
days after the ESPN program "Outside the Lines" broadcast a piece centering on the Nittany Lions' off-field problems over the past decade.
Baker and Taylor, another junior, were contenders for starting spots this fall on an already deep defensive line. Both showed impressive pass-rushing abilities last season.
But they have not been able to stay out of trouble.
Baker was sentenced to two years' probation in May as part of a plea deal in Centre County court covering two cases. One was an off-campus altercation in April of 2007 in which authorities said two people were hurt, the other a fight at the student union in October in which police said one man was injured.
Baker, who was placed on team probation, was allowed to work out with the squad again in April.
The school barred Taylor from campus, including team activities, from the end of the spring semester to Aug. 15. He was sentenced to one year probation and 100 hours of
community service in May as part of a plea deal for his role in the student union fight.
A message left Wednesday for Baker's lawyer, Tony De Boef, was not immediately returned. Taylor's attorney, Ron McGlaughlin, was on vacation this week, his office said
Wednesday.
Paterno indicated last week that he was waiting for summer grades on suspended players before deciding whether they would play this season.
"Some I may just let come out and run around a little bit, depending on the status of their grades," Paterno said in Chicago. "I haven't gotten rid of anybody yet until I get the grades ... some things they got to do academically."
Penn State had a turbulent year off the field beginning in April 2007.
Most recently, suspended receiver Chris Bell was kicked off the team in April after police said he charged into a campus dining hall and threatened a teammate with an 8-inch knife.
Bell pleaded guilty last week to a misdemeanor charge of making terrroristic threats after prosecutors agreed to drop an assault charge. Prosecutors have asked a judge to
give Bell two years of probation at his Aug. 29 sentencing.
"Keep your fingers crossed ... you're always going to have problems when you're dealing with a lot of kids," Paterno responded last week when asked if and why the team had gotten over its off-field issues since Bell's arrest. "I hope I can I always think it through and do what I think is best for the kid."
Preseason practice begins next week.
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