Georgia wide receiver A.J. Green refused to answer questions about his alleged involvement with a sports agent. (Staff Photo)

Staff Report
(July 23, 2010)

HOOVER - After stating that he had “not been to Miami” to an Athens, Ga. newspaper on Wednesday, Georgia wide receiver A.J. Green would not comment on his status regarding alleged contact with agents this summer.

“I don’t feel like I need to (comment),” Green said on Thursday.

Media were instructed not to ask questions to Georgia players or coaches regarding reports of possible improper contact with agents. The request came prior to interviews on Thursday at SEC Media Days.

On Wednesday, Green was reported to have denied a trip to Miami but refused said "no comment" when asked about it on Thursday.

Green along with several other players including Alabama’s Marcel Darius and South Carolina Wesley Saunders have been connected with a party held by a player agent in Miami. Sports Business Journal reported late Thursday that the party was hosted by San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore.

Another report involving Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram stated that he had possibly broken NCAA rules by attending a party in Washington, D.C.  But it was quickly squelched by the the University of Alabama athletic department on Thursday stating that Ingram had proof that the he had paid for the trip and expenses himself.

Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino said his program had not had any inquiries, “knock on wood,” but he said coaches could only do so much to protect them from illegal contact.

“We’ve tried to take the proactive part of it as far as let’s put everything out in the open, OK? Let’s try to educate our players, what does an agent actually mean, what does he do for you, how do you go through the selection process,” he said.

“I think it’s really easy when you have parents, young men that have parents that are involved, help them.”

Johnson’s retirement shocks players

Bobby Johnson’s decision to retire on July 14 left Vanderbilt players shocked and confused.

But interim coach and longtime Commodores’ assistant Robbie Caldwell quickly made the best of the situation and the players noticed.

“Change is sometimes good. It gives you something to look forward to, moving forward,” said linebacker John Stokes. “We’ve had to deal with it and it was hard at first. We didn’t really understand it but we have to move on and the coaching staff has done a good job in helping that transition.”

For the most part, there will be little change in the football program at Vanderbilt this season, other than the head coach. Caldwell has never been a head football coach in college. In fact, his last head coaching position was in high school in baseball back in 1977.

But the majority of the coaching staff at Vandy have been together for a while.  That should help the transition.

A lot of us played together,” Caldwell said “We coached some of them. Football is a trying job sometime but we love being around each other and love the kids… make that young men. Correct me on that one.”

Johnson had made adjustments in spring training and Caldwell said his staff will build on the changes to prepare for his first season as head coach.

“Coach Johnson made some adjustments in the spring, shifting the staff around, reenergized everyone,” Caldwell said. “Everyone’s excited about it internally. So far, fortunately, we’ve been able to hang on to all of our coaches. We won’t miss a beat. We’ll continue to run.

“We’ve made some tweaks. It’s going to be an exciting, exciting time for us. That’s kind of where we are in the state of the program as far as the coaching staff.”

As for becoming a part of the SEC head coaching fraternity, Caldwell was asked of he had received any complementary handshakes from other coaches since the announcement.

“No, not a one,” he said. “No offense to them, but they don’t know me. They will.

“I just hope I avoid going to head coaching school.”

No controversial QB vote for Spurrier this year

It was bound to come up.

South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier was asked on Thursday about his vote for the top SEC quarterback .

His answer – “I voted for Jevan Snead.”

Spurrier’s jovial response came after controversy surrounded his admission a year ago that he – make that his director of football operations – had not voted for Tim Tebow on the pre-season ballot but instead for Snead of Ole Miss. It was a hot topic for 2009 SEC Media Days.

Actually, Spurrier voted for Ryan Mallett of Arkansas this year.

Rules changes for 2010? There are none

SEC coordinator for officials Rogers Redding announced to the media on Thursday that the game seen in 2010 should look a lot like the ones in 2009.

“The NCAA in its major sports has gone to a two-year rule change process, so that rules would only ordinarily be changed every other year,” Redding said. “This is an off year for football rules.”

Redding said there could be changes made if it impacts player safety. He said one minor change involves the clock and an injury. If a player suffers an injury of any kind, he must leave the game, whether or not he needs medical personnel help.

“If he does not leave the game, it would cost the team a timeout,” Redding explained. He cannot come back in the game until medical personnel approved him to return.”

Redding also said that instant replay will be seen in high definition in the booth.