SB Nation Pittsburgh - Jabaal Sheard Pleads Guilty To Disorderly Conducthttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48827/pitt-fv.png2010-08-06T13:11:27-04:00http://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/rss/stream/13434692010-08-06T13:11:27-04:002010-08-06T13:11:27-04:00Dave Wannstedt Confirms Jabaal Sheard Will Not Miss Any Games
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/vu2A6neKAixIn6CkeqyUcmXnPkE=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828131/large_pittsburgh.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>Dave Wannstedt confirmed that Pitt DE Jabaal Sheard will receive further internal discipline, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10218/1078189-233.stm">but will not miss any game time:</a></p>
<blockquote>
<p>Sheard pleaded guilty to a disorderly conduct charge and was also ordered to pay medical bills for the victim and write a letter of apology to him. Sheard was suspended from the team as his case made its way through the courts system, but he will not miss any regular season games.</p>
<p>“Hear me loud and clear please. After gathering all of the information and the legal system took its course, we are very comfortable with the decision we made considering Jabaal,” Wannstedt said at his news conference during media day for the Panthers.</p>
<p>“You all know that we have had players in the past, as every school does, off the field, on the field, where it hasn’t worked out. But my responsibility to the university and these kids is to be consistent and fair with the facts and handle it accordingly. And that’s all I have to say about that.”</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Wannstedt also said that there were indeed other facts not disclosed that led him his decision. Without speculating too much, it sounds as if Sheard may have been able to present an explanation why he did what he did. Perhaps the same explanation wasn’t made public because Sheard didn’t want it to seem like he was making excuses.</p>
<p>I’m still undecided about what to think about this. Part of me wonders if there was something else we don’t know about that could have provoked Sheard to this end. But another part wonders if that should be a moot point and Sheard should be suspended regardless of any provocation. In the end, I think a one-game suspension was probably in order, but without knowing all the facts, it’s hard to be too firm about it.</p>
<p>While it may appear on the surface that Sheard is getting away with a lot, Wannstedt has not previously shown his ability to discipline players. Even though Elijah Fields’ latest incident was not his only one, Wannstedt still made a strong statement by booting him from the team. Say what you will about Fields’ multiple chances, but he was becoming an impact player and could have helped the team this year. By cutting him loose, Wannstedt did show he is not against getting rid of players who can play a significant role.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/2010/8/6/1609188/dave-wannstedt-jabaal-sheard-pitt-panthers-no-games-missedAnson Whaley2010-08-04T16:11:48-04:002010-08-04T16:11:48-04:00Sheard Pleads Guilty To Disorderly Conduct; Reinstated By Pitt
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/vu2A6neKAixIn6CkeqyUcmXnPkE=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828131/large_pittsburgh.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>Jabaal Sheard <a href="http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10216/1077555-100.stm">pled guilty</a> to disorderly conduct today and was ordered to apologize and to pay medical bills and court costs. Dave Wannstedt announced that Sheard had been reinstated to the team.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/2010/8/4/1605479/sheard-pleads-guilty-to-disorderlyCharlie Wilmoth2010-07-28T16:14:13-04:002010-07-28T16:14:13-04:00Sheard's Court Date Delayed - Plea Request Denied
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/vu2A6neKAixIn6CkeqyUcmXnPkE=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828131/large_pittsburgh.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>Our wonderful legal system is alive and kicking. Jabaal Sheard’s court date has been postponed until next Wednesday, August 4th.</p>
<p><a href="http://kdka.com/college/Jabaal.Sheard.hearing.2.1829529.html" target="new">Additionally, there was this bit of bad news:</a></p>
<blockquote>
<p>Today in court, Sheard reportedly wanted to plea to a lesser charge. He also agreed to pay the victim’s medical bills, totaling about $1,000.</p>
<p>However, the victim would not accept either and now wants the case to proceed.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Looks like any chance of getting off easy (at least immediately) has gotten away from Sheard. With camp due to start soon, delaying the case another week is bad news for Sheard and for Pitt.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/2010/7/28/1592930/sheards-court-date-delayed-pleaAnson Whaley2010-07-28T13:05:55-04:002010-07-28T13:05:55-04:00Sheard Gets Day In Court
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/vu2A6neKAixIn6CkeqyUcmXnPkE=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828131/large_pittsburgh.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p><a target="new" href="http://kdka.com/local/Jabaal.Sheard.hearing.2.1829529.html">Pitt DE Jabaal Sheard is in court today</a> following his involvement in an altercation back on July 20th. Obviously it’s unknown how long the process will take, but the sooner the better for both Sheard and Pitt.</p>
<p>A game suspension is still likely in the minds of many, but it will be interesting to hear Sheard’s defense, as there’s been no official explanation thus far.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/2010/7/28/1592493/sheard-gets-day-in-courtAnson Whaley2010-07-22T14:23:57-04:002010-07-22T14:23:57-04:00Sheard Apologizes To Store Owner
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/vu2A6neKAixIn6CkeqyUcmXnPkE=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828131/large_pittsburgh.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p><span class="caps">WTAE</span> (<span class="caps">ABC</span>) Channel 4 in Pittsburgh <a href="http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/sports/24308888/detail.html" target="new">reports that Jabaal Sheard apologized to the store owner</a> and offered to pay for the damages:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Business owner Adelaide La Fond told Channel 4 Action News that Sheard came by and apologized to her Tuesday and offered to pay for the damages, estimated at $400.</p>
<p>“He said he was very sorry, and I said, you know, you have to expect consequences and to assume responsibility for your university,” La Fond said.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>That’s obviously to be expected, but was the first I heard of a formal apology from Sheard. To my knowledge, Sheard has not yet made any other statement addressing the incident.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/2010/7/22/1582612/sheard-apologizes-to-store-ownerAnson Whaley2010-07-21T16:22:21-04:002010-07-21T16:22:21-04:00Brandon Lindsey Or Shayne Hale May Get Sheard's Playing Time
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/vu2A6neKAixIn6CkeqyUcmXnPkE=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828131/large_pittsburgh.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p><span class="caps">ESPN</span>.com’s Brian Bennett <a href="http://espn.go.com/blog/bigeast/post/_/id/10588/catching-up-on-big-east-news" target="new">mentions some potential replacements</a> in the event of Jamaal Sheard missing playing time during the regular season:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Pitt has depth and can play Brandon Lindsey or Shayne Hale at defensive end, but the drop-off in experience would be major.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>That would be a considerable dropoff as both players have only one year of experience under their belts and a total of 21 tackles between them. Mix in the fact that they were both previously linebackers and they’d still essentially be learning DE. Still, if Sheard does miss time, Pitt is fortunate to have at least another able pass rusher with senior Greg Romeus on the other side.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/2010/7/21/1580898/brandon-lindsey-and-shayne-haleAnson Whaley2010-07-20T21:42:33-04:002010-07-20T21:42:33-04:00Jabaal Sheard's High School Coach Comments On Incident
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/vu2A6neKAixIn6CkeqyUcmXnPkE=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828131/large_pittsburgh.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>Even though Pitt hasn’t formally issued any other comment on the Jabaal Sheard incident other than to say the school is conducting an investigation, <a href="http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/college/s_691132.html"> Sheard’s high school coach is speaking up </a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Jabaal Sheard’s high school football coach was stunned when he learned of his former star’s arrest on charges of felony aggravated assault.</p>
<p>“To me,” former Hollywood Hills ( Fla.) coach Al Lang said, “this is very out of character.”</p>
<p>Sheard, a senior defensive end at Pitt, was suspended indefinitely after he was arrested for multiple offenses early Sunday morning, including throwing a man through the glass door of a South Side art gallery.</p>
<p>Sheard, 21, was charged with aggravated assault, misdemeanor resisting arrest and criminal mischief, and summary disorderly conduct.</p>
<p>Lang, who now coaches at Parkland (Fla.) Douglas, said the 6-foot-4, 260-pound Sheard was a model player during his four years at Hollywood Hills.</p>
<p>“I’ve never had any problem with Jabaal,” Lang said by phone from Florida on Monday. “I feel very good talking about him.”</p>
</blockquote>
<p>His ex-coach went on to say that he avoided trouble while in Florida and he believes this is a one-time incident. There may be something to that as this is the first major trouble Sheard appears to have been in since arriving at Pitt.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/2010/7/20/1579558/jabaal-sheards-high-school-coachAnson Whaley2010-07-20T20:11:09-04:002010-07-20T20:11:09-04:00Jabaal Sheard's Suspension A Blow To Pitt
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/vu2A6neKAixIn6CkeqyUcmXnPkE=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828131/large_pittsburgh.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>A relatively quiet Pitt offseason was turned upside-down over the weekend as <a href="http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10201/1073895-142.stm" target="_blank">starting Panther DE Jabaal Sheard was arrested following an altercation early Sunday morning </a>in the South Side of Pittsburgh. Sheard had avoided any sort of major trouble during his time with Pitt and his arrest prompted an immediate suspension by the team.</p>
<p>Despite the fact that this happened in the offseason, recent details about the altercation may be too difficult to ignore when the discussion about a game suspension comes up. As if the fight wasn't bad enough, Sheard did nothing to help his case when details surfaced about him throwing a man through a glass door and then disregarding the police's attempts to stop the fight and continuing to throw punches.</p>
<p>Not to excuse what Sheard allegedly did, but he wouldn't be the first to exhibit poor judgment after midnight on the weekend in a busy area full of bars. Still, as a key starting member of a football team that has a chance to do great things, he simply shouldn't have put himself in that position.</p>
<p>Now the question comes about further suspension. That likely won't be determined until after the preliminary hearing scheduled for July 28th. But unless further details surface in Sheard's favor, it's reasonable to suggest that he'll be suspended during the season. Whether that means a half, a game, or more, it could cost Pitt - big time. The Panthers, traveling on the road to take on a likely Top 25 Utah Utes team in its season opener, don't have the luxury of playing a cupcake opponent in their first game. Sheard is one-half of one of the most devastating defensive end combos in the country and his replacement would have big shoes to fill.</p>
<p>Pitt's pass rush is one edge they can ill afford to give up. The secondary is already playing without its 2009 leader, departed senior, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/6065/Aaron_Berry">Aaron Berry</a>. With less of a pass rush, a secondary that was already sure to be tested is going to be pushed even farther to the limit.</p>
<p>Sheard's suspension hurts all the way around.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/2010/7/20/2318148/jabaal-sheards-suspension-a-blow-to-pittAnson Whaley