No change in suspended players' status after officials, NCAA meet
Thursday, November 01, 2007
TUSCALOOSA -- The newest development in the University of Alabama's textbook controversy passed like those before -- without a conclusion.
UA athletics director Mal Moore and compliance director Chris King flew to Indianapolis on Wednesday afternoon to consult briefly with NCAA officials and update them on the school's in-house investigation.
There was no official word -- positive or negative -- on the suspensions for five football players or closure to the school's inquiry. UA's investigation into textbook acquisitions for all athletes is still ongoing, according to media relations director Doug Walker.
"The purpose of the trip was to state where we are in the inquiry," Walker said.
No announcement has been made on any improprieties uncovered for athletes beyond the five football players, who were suspended the night before the Oct. 20 game against Tennessee for impermissible receipt of textbooks.
As each day passes, it looks more doubtful that Antoine Caldwell, Glen Coffee, Marlon Davis, Marquis Johnson and Chris Rogers will be permitted to play Saturday against LSU. Each again held reserve roles during Wednesday's practice.
Asked if Alabama will receive an answer on their status before facing LSU, Moore answered, "What we went up there for was nothing about Saturday's game."
Moore referred additional questions to Walker.
Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban pleaded ignorance to the matter again Wednesday, saying, "We're not trying to keep anything from anybody, but we really don't know."
"That's not something I'm good at," Saban said. "I don't think I should be the spokesperson for all that stuff anyway.
"I think our administration is handling it, working through it, trying to do it the right way. If they tell me, I'll tell you."
If the five suspended players aren't available, the Tide's offensive line is expected to mirror the one that opened against the Vols.
"If you don't know a guy can play, it's like if he's injured," Saban said. "You prepare somebody else to play in the event that the guy can't play. We didn't have any opportunity to do that against Tennessee, but we do have a little better opportunity to do that right now."
