If Gus Malzahn’s decision of replacing quarterback Nick Marshall at SEC Media Days after Marshall received a citation for marijuana last week didn’t make enough of point, Malzahn’s words at media days did.

Auburn opened the annual event, which is unofficially known as the opening of college football, with center Reese Dismukes, defensive lineman Gabe Wright and Marshall’s replacement, tight end C.J. Uzomah, joining him at the podium in Hoover.

Although Marshall was not at the event, there were still questions that surrounded his citation, especially after defensive back Jonathan Mincy was arrested for marijuana last month.

At the same time, as Opelika-Auburn News sports editor Mike Szvetitz reported, Malzahn has something that some questioned that former coach Gene Chizik didn’t have: full control over players.

“We have high expectations for our players, but specifically our quarterback being the face of our program,” Malzahn said at SEC Media Days.

Punishments for Marshall and Mincy have not been released, but Malzahn confirmed the situations will be handled internally.

Despite the two seniors having off-season lacks of judgment, Alex Byington of the OA News reported that teammates have been nothing but supportive.

“We just come together. We’re like a family, a bunch of brothers. We’re there for one another,” Dismukes said. “This class, we got 20-or-so-plus guys, obviously there’s a lot of leadership. We’re going to handle it inside and we’re going to do whatever we got to do to help whoever out.”

At media days, Wright said the team had a meeting Sunday, which included Marshall and Mincy standing in front of their teammates and apologizing for their run ins with the law.

“In the team meeting I grabbed him and dapped him up,” Wright said of Marshall specifically. “This is something that I know him personally, I know it’s a bad decision and I know he’s truly remorseful. I could tell by the look in his eyes and the words coming out of his mouth.”

Summer is never a good time to make headlines, but it appears Auburn should have both Marshall and Mincy’s situations behind them by Aug. 30, when the Tigers open the season against Arkansas. It’s also encouraging to see teammates stand up for the two players that have lacked judgment during the offseason.

Brandon Miller