Just weeks before the start of preseason practice, two Penn State football players have been kicked off the team.

The players, who had previous run-ins with the law, were dismissed at a squad meeting on Tuesday by Coach Joe Paterno.

The decision to dismiss Chris Baker and Phil Taylor came as police investigate an incident involving several players during a recent pool party.

Previously, Baker was involved in two fights and pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor charges. He was also cited earlier this month for harboring a dangerous dog. Taylor was previously involved in a fight at the Hub with other teammates and also pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges.

Whether their dismissals are tied to the recent pool party incident was not clear as of Wednesday.

Police said three or four players were at an apartment complex pool party during the Arts Festival when a woman was pushed in the pool. Investigators said there was some pushing and shoving, and the woman was pushed again.

A few days later, the woman filed a report with Patton Township police, who are still investigating. Police said at least two players are being questioned in the follow-up investigation.

Baker and Taylor's dismissals come days after the ESPN program "Outside The Lines" interviewed Joe Paterno about the Lions' off-field issues.

ESPN found that 46 Penn State players had criminal charges filed against them between 2002 and 2008. Reporters also asked Paterno if Penn State has been recruiting players with character issues in exchange for wins on the field.

"Never once did we go that way. We tried to get good kids who were solid. (They) may have made a mistake or two ... (but) no deliberate attempt," Paterno said. "You got a good-looking witch hunt here... None of that is true."

Paterno said most of his players are 19 or 20 years old and like all young adults, he said, they make mistakes.

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