Opening records OK with Fulmer

In Knoxville, however, Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer said it's business as usual.

"My focus is on getting my football team ready for a fine season,'' Fulmer said Friday. "I believe the system will work for itself.''

The legal system in Alabama is weighing the case filed by former Tide assistants Ivy Williams and Ronnie Cottrell.

Williams and Cottrell charge that NCAA investigator Richard Johanningmeier conspired with recruiting analyst Tom Culpepper to harm their reputations in an NCAA investigation that led to sanctions against the Alabama football program in 2002.

According to an Alabama Associated Press story, memos have been made public that show the SEC was aware a Tennessee high school coach was shopping a player who later signed with the Crimson Tide.

The memos were reportedly between former SEC Commissioner Roy Kramer, SEC investigator Bill Sievers and Fulmer.

Some speculated that should the case drag on, it could lead to Fulmer skipping this summer's SEC Media Days (July 27-29) in Birmingham, as he did last year to avoid being subpoened in a separate then-ongoing case.

Fulmer said that won't be the case this year.

"I don't see any reason for me not to go to Birmingham,'' Fulmer said.

Furthermore, Fulmer said, he has no reason to be apprehensive about any memos or documents that could potentially be released in the ongoing Tuscaloosa trial.

"I think it would be wonderful if they open whatever records they want to open,'' Fulmer said. "Really, I don't even think about this stuff until some guy (reporter) brings it up or asks me about it.''

Swain Surgery: Tennessee junior wide receiver Jayson Swain underwent arthroscopic knee surgery Thursday. He is expected to be back in time for preseason practice.

Swain's surgery was the 25th performed on a football player since the end of last regular season.