Here's one for Benji @ Penn. St.

[Eric the Red]

Football: Penn St. players face punishment

 

When spring practice opens tomorrow, four Penn State football players -- offensive linemen E.Z. Smith, Tyler Reed and Andrew Richardson and defensive tackle Scott Paxson -- will not be practicing with the team, multiple sources close to the players and the football program said.

 

 

 

Daniel Hulshizer, Associated Press

Paterno -- In waiting mode while case works its way through university judicial affairs.

Click photo for larger image.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The players' future with the Nittany Lions, though, will not be resolved until early this week, when Penn State's Office of Judicial Affairs rules about a Jan. 29 incident in which the four players reportedly shot arrows into a dormitory wall.

 

After the university makes its ruling, Penn State coach Joe Paterno will determine how to punish the players -- all of whom will be fifth-year seniors come fall. Sources suggested that the players did not have equal involvement in the incident, and their punishments will likely reflect that.

 

For now, however, the players will not practice. Their lockers are cleaned out, at least temporarily, until the university takes action.

 

Paterno said Wednesday he would "wait and see what happens" with the judicial affairs ruling before acting himself.

 

Since Paterno spoke Wednesday, little has changed. Though the incident sounds more juvenile than criminal, Paterno is said to be taking it seriously -- especially after a spat of off-field problems for Penn State players in the past several years.

 

Smith, Richardson, Reed and Paxson reside at the same on-campus apartment, where the incident -- which caused roughly $700 in damages -- took place. The bow and arrow that caused the damage belongs to Reed, who had been given the weapon as a Christmas present.

 

Last season, all four players established themselves as significant contributors. Smith, after missing the entire 2003 season as a punishment for underage drinking, started every game in 2004 at center. Reed started eight games at guard and Richardson started four games at tackle, but both were sent to the bench when the line struggled.

 

Paxson, meanwhile, became an anchor on the defensive line, finished the season with 33 tackles and three sacks. On special teams, Paxson blocked five kicks.

[Eric the Red]