I don’t think anyone really expected anything other than this for the initial preliminary hearing for Jabaal Sheard’s adventure in Barkleyism.

A preliminary hearing for suspended Pitt defensive end Jabaal Sheard has been postponed to Aug. 4.

Sheard’s attorney, William Difinderfer, asked for a postponement while he and the prosecutors attempt to negotiate a plea agreement, prosecutors said.

By the time the plea agreement is reached, you can expect the felony charge (aggravated assault) to be reduced to some sort of misdemeanor level.

Training camp opens August 7, so you know that Sheard’s attorney is pushing to get a resolution by the August 4 date.

If charges are withdrawn, defense attorney William Difenderfer said he will recommend his client be reinstated to the team in time for training camp next week.

…

Sheard’s lawyer said the hearing was postponed until the court could determine the cost of Parker’s medical bills and lost wages, which Sheard is expected to pay.

I can see Sheard reinstated for camp. Unless the plea agreement gets things down to a mere disorderly conduct charge, though, I can’t see how Sheard isn’t suspended for at least one game. Unlike DGunn’s incident last year, this wasn’t a relatively victimless incident. There have to be some consequences.