Post by rainman on Oct 21, 2009 9:26:46 GMT -5
Berry suspended; Brown may play
By Bob Hertzel
For the Times West Virginian
— West Virginia University may be getting quarterback Jarrett Brown back for Saturday’s noon game against Connecticut, but they have lost defensive tackle Scooter Berry, perhaps for the rest of the season.
Brown was cleared to practice Tuesday for what will be an emotional meeting with a grieving Connecticut team that will be playing without, but for, cornerback Jasper Howard, killed at knifepoint outside the UConn Student Union on Saturday night.
Just two hours after Howard was murdered, Berry was arrested outside Bent Wiley’s nightclub in Morgantown and charged with public intoxication and disorderly conduct. Coach Bill Stewart announced that he had suspended Berry indefinitely at his Tuesday press conference.
“Scooter broke team policy and has been suspended indefinitely by me. He will remain in that capacity until I deem further,” Stewart said.
Berry had been battling injuries, first a shoulder injury that kept him out of two games, then in his first extended action since that injury he was accidentally legwhipped by teammate Reed Williams in the Marshall game, leaving him with a pronounced limp.
Apparently, he was getting around just fine on Saturday night.
According to the police report, Berry was “using profane language and threatening to fight someone inside the club.”
Officer J.P. Safstrom’s report said Berry continued to “act belligerent” outside the club, telling officers to “shut up” and saying he would “do what I want to do.”
When told to move on again, the reports says Berry responded by saying, “Arrest me. I’ll be out in an hour.”
When the police said they would arrest Berry if he didn’t leave, Berry repeated “Arrest me.”
They did.
Berry was charged with the two misdemeanors and released on $200 bond.
Misdemeanors are punishable by up to a year in jail, although normally in cases such as this one a fine and community service are usually handed to first-time offenders, if found guilty.
“He must make restitution to myself, the staff, the senior class and the rest of his teammates,” Stewart said. “At the appropriate time, if he has met that restitution, we will talk about the reinstatement.”
The situation with Brown is far more encouraging. When he could not practice Sunday in vest and helmet, Stewart sounded quite discouraged. But Brown suffered no nausea, headaches or memory loss, other than saying on his Twitter account that he didn’t remember the hit.
He practiced half speed Tuesday, with coaches and medical staff keeping a close watch on him.
“I told him to first and foremost, protect himself; 2. Manage the offense; and 3. Most importantly, have a clear head when doing it,” Stewart said.
Brown was to take snaps with the first team, with Geno Smith working with the second unit and Coley White with the third. In addition, Stewart and the coaching staff put together an emergency plan for Bradley Starks.
“I feel I can play,” Brown said after the practice session.
Stewart said he would not hesitate to play Starks at quarterback.
“He can throw,” Stewart said. “And you think J.B. (Brown) can play basketball? He was Mr. Basketball in Virginia. He can hoop.”
o o o o o o
After discussions between the administrations at UConn and West Virginia, the plans have been set to honor Howard before the Mountaineers’ Homecoming game.
According to Stewart, the Mountaineers will all wear a No. 6 decal on the back of their helmets, as will UConn, in Howard’s honor.
“Prior to the game we will line up on the hash marks, Connecticut across from us, and there will be a moment of silence,” Stewart said. “We will then shake hands, then have the coin toss and come out and play a football game.”
While the game is an important one and the centerpiece of the day, the ceremony will be somber and solemn.
“This is all about Jasper Howard, about having a fallen brother,” Stewart said. “It will be about his successful and youthful life.”
By Bob Hertzel
For the Times West Virginian
— West Virginia University may be getting quarterback Jarrett Brown back for Saturday’s noon game against Connecticut, but they have lost defensive tackle Scooter Berry, perhaps for the rest of the season.
Brown was cleared to practice Tuesday for what will be an emotional meeting with a grieving Connecticut team that will be playing without, but for, cornerback Jasper Howard, killed at knifepoint outside the UConn Student Union on Saturday night.
Just two hours after Howard was murdered, Berry was arrested outside Bent Wiley’s nightclub in Morgantown and charged with public intoxication and disorderly conduct. Coach Bill Stewart announced that he had suspended Berry indefinitely at his Tuesday press conference.
“Scooter broke team policy and has been suspended indefinitely by me. He will remain in that capacity until I deem further,” Stewart said.
Berry had been battling injuries, first a shoulder injury that kept him out of two games, then in his first extended action since that injury he was accidentally legwhipped by teammate Reed Williams in the Marshall game, leaving him with a pronounced limp.
Apparently, he was getting around just fine on Saturday night.
According to the police report, Berry was “using profane language and threatening to fight someone inside the club.”
Officer J.P. Safstrom’s report said Berry continued to “act belligerent” outside the club, telling officers to “shut up” and saying he would “do what I want to do.”
When told to move on again, the reports says Berry responded by saying, “Arrest me. I’ll be out in an hour.”
When the police said they would arrest Berry if he didn’t leave, Berry repeated “Arrest me.”
They did.
Berry was charged with the two misdemeanors and released on $200 bond.
Misdemeanors are punishable by up to a year in jail, although normally in cases such as this one a fine and community service are usually handed to first-time offenders, if found guilty.
“He must make restitution to myself, the staff, the senior class and the rest of his teammates,” Stewart said. “At the appropriate time, if he has met that restitution, we will talk about the reinstatement.”
The situation with Brown is far more encouraging. When he could not practice Sunday in vest and helmet, Stewart sounded quite discouraged. But Brown suffered no nausea, headaches or memory loss, other than saying on his Twitter account that he didn’t remember the hit.
He practiced half speed Tuesday, with coaches and medical staff keeping a close watch on him.
“I told him to first and foremost, protect himself; 2. Manage the offense; and 3. Most importantly, have a clear head when doing it,” Stewart said.
Brown was to take snaps with the first team, with Geno Smith working with the second unit and Coley White with the third. In addition, Stewart and the coaching staff put together an emergency plan for Bradley Starks.
“I feel I can play,” Brown said after the practice session.
Stewart said he would not hesitate to play Starks at quarterback.
“He can throw,” Stewart said. “And you think J.B. (Brown) can play basketball? He was Mr. Basketball in Virginia. He can hoop.”
o o o o o o
After discussions between the administrations at UConn and West Virginia, the plans have been set to honor Howard before the Mountaineers’ Homecoming game.
According to Stewart, the Mountaineers will all wear a No. 6 decal on the back of their helmets, as will UConn, in Howard’s honor.
“Prior to the game we will line up on the hash marks, Connecticut across from us, and there will be a moment of silence,” Stewart said. “We will then shake hands, then have the coin toss and come out and play a football game.”
While the game is an important one and the centerpiece of the day, the ceremony will be somber and solemn.
“This is all about Jasper Howard, about having a fallen brother,” Stewart said. “It will be about his successful and youthful life.”
