James Banks wants to come Home

[Volnooga]

JB has written letters to the Pres of UT, the UT AD, and Coach Phil Fulmer asking permission to return to UT as a walk on, paying his way, agreeing, asking, to be a model student, talking to other problem students, assisting in every way to help the University of Tennessee, not just in football, but in every aspect of University of Tennessee life!
In this letter he has admitted his juvenile behavior and told of heart felt desires to atone for his previous behavior by being a role model for the University of Tennessee. He says that not only he, James Banks, can benefit from being able to return to UT but the University of Tennessee can benefit as well!
He realizes now what he had in the University of Tennessee and just as many of us do in our everyday life, don't appreciate it until that aspect has been removed from out life!
Coach Fulmer knows that this is pr dangerous! The question is will Coach Fulmer take another chance on James. I hope he does!! All the coaches and players want James to return!

What do you think?

[BeeDee]

I'm not familiar with James Banks, what's his story?

[JerryBeeds]

Sounds good to me. I'm glad he's getting his act together. He's very talented....

http://www.wrrx.com/images/Jerrybeeds/smokey.jpg

[fernandomike]

I would love to have him back, but it would be an extremely risky move. In fact, too risky. James Banks has run out of second chances and it would be a mistake for Phil to stick his neck out for a guy who has burned him repeatedly before. The public relations risks outweigh the benefits in my mind. Phil didn't say that he couldn't play football anymore. He just said that he couldn't play for UT. He needs to stick to that here.

[jneesy]

a kid like this that swallows his stupid pride and begs for another chance i think deserves one he could be invaluable as an example as what road NOT to take . i dont see that there is anything to lose

[fernandomike]

I'm not familiar with James Banks, what's his story?

He had several of those vague "violation of team rules." Part of it was academic. I think that the final straw was an attempt to alter his urine before a drug test. No word on whether or not he used the Whizzinater. Banks has a Ricky Williams-like affinity for the bud.

[BeeDee]

Hmmm... sounds like a great guy to have on the team...

http://www.servercentrix.com/albums/LSU-Sucks/blindfold.gif

[BeeDee]

i dont see that there is anything to loseYou mean, other than credibility with current and future players as well as alumni, fans and boosters?

[fernandomike]

He is a popular guy to have on the team. Everyone loves him and swears that he is a good guy, but the violations continued to pile up despite the warnings. If he is genuinely contrite, you hate to turn him down. Still, its more about sending the much needed message to the team than it is about Banks.

[BeeDee]

He is a popular guy to have on the team. Everyone loves him and swears that he is a good guy, but the violations continued to pile up despite the warnings. If he is genuinely contrite, you hate to turn him down. Still, its more about sending the much needed message to the team than it is about Banks.Very well put.

[jneesy]

You mean, other than credibility with current and future players as well as alumni, fans and boosters?

fulmers already there what else has he got to lose

[BeeDee]

fulmers already there what else has he got to lose
OK, you got me on that one.

[Volnooga]

Normally I would agree with most of you due to the risk. What makes this different however, is the fact that he wants to come back as a self paying walkon. His parents have backed Fulmer with everymove that he has made. I say, let the boy come back to school, paying his own way, of coarse, and prove himself. If the old banks start to show up, boot him. UT will not be out of a scholarship. They will have a chance at great PR with future player's parents, theyt have a chance to make a real change is this kids life turning him ino a standup kind of guy. Isn't that what coaching a college football team is all about?

[fernandomike]

Normally I would agree with most of you due to the risk. What makes this different however, is the fact that he wants to come back as a self paying walkon. His parents have backed Fulmer with everymove that he has made. I say, let the boy come back to school, paying his own way, of coarse, and prove himself. If the old banks start to show up, boot him. UT will not be out of a scholarship. They will have a chance at great PR with future player's parents, theyt have a chance to make a real change is this kids life turning him ino a standup kind of guy. Isn't that what coaching a college football team is all about?

These are great points. However, if Fulmer does this then everyone that he has ever kicked off should ask to come back. At a time when he should be trying to get the team under control, he would be allowing a multiple offender to return. It sends the wrong message. How many times should you have to kick a guy off the team? More than once would never be my answer. Remember, Banks is not being deprived of the chance to play nor of an education. He can get those things elsewhere. I just think that with all the crap that has been going on, this is not the time to revert back to leniency.

[Volnooga]

If they want to ay their own way, And can prove thay've changed their attitudes, then I'd don't see a problem with that. :) I know I took college very seriously once I had to start paying for it myself.

[BeeDee]

I hear that Fulmer told Banks to take a hike. Any truth to that?

[OrangeCrush]

I hear that Fulmer told Banks to take a hike. Any truth to that?

James Banks will not be returning to the University of Tennessee football team. From the sound of things, Fulmer was not willing to take another chance on this young man. I hope James gets it figured out and finds success at another school.

[Volnooga]

The word came from Mike Hamiliton, AD at UT. Although I believe Fulmer had a part in the decision and Hamilton might have just took some of the heat, but I am just taking a guess here.

[WayzUp]

On Yahoo!'s sports headlines page this morning:

Banks won't return to Tennessee - (AP)
http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/news?slug=ap-tennessee-banks&prov=ap&type=lgns

I hate it for this Banks kid but it is good to see UT & Fulmer draw a line in the sand for once....no UT fans, I'm not bashing at all; just saying that despite this kid's obvious talent, it's probably a good thing for the team overall that he be told "thanks but no thanks" by the coaching staff and university officials. It's not like UT will be hurting at wideout anytime in the next 100 years anyway.... :D