[Tuck4Bama]

Bobby Johnson knows there are reasons he could close Vanderbilt's football practices.
Good reasons? Sound, justifiable reasons?

Not so much.

The Commodores, according to a recent survey conducted by The Telegraph of Macon, Ga., are the only Southeastern Conference team that allows total practice access to local media members.
A couple of weeks ago, Auburn Coach Tommy Tuberville and Georgia Coach Mark Richt closed their team's respective practices. The two joined Florida, Kentucky and South Carolina as SEC programs that allow no media access to workouts during the week.

The issue of closing practices is again a hot topic in light of the recent case involving the NFL's New England Patriots' videotaping of opposing coaches' hand signals. Coaches at all levels again were reminded to be vigilant in guarding the execution of their playbooks, whether it be in a game or in a practice surrounded by empty seats.

Johnson, whose Commodores travel to Auburn this weekend, admits he has considered closing his team's practices on more than one occasion — though not because of any events directly related to his program, either at Vanderbilt or at Furman.

Vandy still practices a rare media policy - Nashville, Tennessee - Tuesday, 10/02/07