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Banks a talent Fulmer can't afford to keep
By JOHN ADAMS
July 18, 2004
Ever since James Banks arrived at the University of Tennessee, there has been speculation about where he should play.
As a true freshman in 2002, he came off the bench to complete 10 of 15 passes for 168 yards against SEC champion Georgia. As a sophomore, he moved to wide receiver and performed like a future NFL player for half the season. This summer, he has worked at defensive back, fostering more speculation as to how he might be used this fall.
You can stop speculating now. In the wee hours of Friday morning, UT finally figured out where Banks should play.
Nowhere.
Banks struck out Friday. He was charged with underage consumption of alcohol and violating the city's noise ordinance, hardly major transgressions when compared to the crimes perpetrated by UT football players through the years. But for a twice-suspended player, it was a third strike.
UT coach Phillip Fulmer didn't announce right away that Banks had been dismissed from the team. A coach who sometimes moves with glacier-like swiftness in criminal matters said he was in the process of gathering information about the incident and would "meet with James on Monday."
It should be a short meeting, nothing more than "hello" and "goodbye." What else is there to say?
Banks was suspended for the Peach Bowl for violation of team rules. He was suspended again this spring for another violation of team rules.
After announcing the spring suspension, Fulmer said, "He's got some things he's got to do for me to be a part of this team. If he takes care of those, he'll be back on a good page. If not, he won't be."
Although I don't profess to be an expert at interpreting coach-speak, I think it's safe to say Banks' to-do list didn't include underage drinking and making a general nuisance of himself.
Police were called to break up a loud crowd at Rocky Top Markets on Cumberland Avenue near campus early Friday morning, according to Knoxville Police spokesman Darrell DeBusk. When police informed the crowd the party was over, Banks responded by turning up the music in his car, according to the police report.
On a top-10 list of what not to do when a police officer says you are making too much noise, that ranks second to screaming, "You don't have the guts to use pepper spray." Who said Banks' greatest shortcoming as a quarterback was lack of arm strength?
He might be the best athlete on the UT football team. He also might be the least dependable.
Never mind how fast he can run, how high he can jump or how many positions he can play. UT is better off without him.
As for Banks, failing at UT doesn't mean he can't succeed elsewhere. Running back Onterrio Smith was dismissed from UT in 2000 after failing multiple drug tests. He transferred to the University of Oregon, where he became one of the country's top running backs, and now plays for the Minnesota Vikings.
Defensive tackle Lynn McGruder also thrived after being kicked off the UT team. McGruder, who will start for the Oklahoma Sooners this fall, was arrested on drug charges at UT in 2001.
After McGruder was arrested, Fulmer was asked how the player would be disciplined.
"I'm going to find out everything," he said. "No one on this team is indispensable."
Banks included.
By JOHN ADAMS
July 18, 2004
Ever since James Banks arrived at the University of Tennessee, there has been speculation about where he should play.
As a true freshman in 2002, he came off the bench to complete 10 of 15 passes for 168 yards against SEC champion Georgia. As a sophomore, he moved to wide receiver and performed like a future NFL player for half the season. This summer, he has worked at defensive back, fostering more speculation as to how he might be used this fall.
You can stop speculating now. In the wee hours of Friday morning, UT finally figured out where Banks should play.
Nowhere.
Banks struck out Friday. He was charged with underage consumption of alcohol and violating the city's noise ordinance, hardly major transgressions when compared to the crimes perpetrated by UT football players through the years. But for a twice-suspended player, it was a third strike.
UT coach Phillip Fulmer didn't announce right away that Banks had been dismissed from the team. A coach who sometimes moves with glacier-like swiftness in criminal matters said he was in the process of gathering information about the incident and would "meet with James on Monday."
It should be a short meeting, nothing more than "hello" and "goodbye." What else is there to say?
Banks was suspended for the Peach Bowl for violation of team rules. He was suspended again this spring for another violation of team rules.
After announcing the spring suspension, Fulmer said, "He's got some things he's got to do for me to be a part of this team. If he takes care of those, he'll be back on a good page. If not, he won't be."
Although I don't profess to be an expert at interpreting coach-speak, I think it's safe to say Banks' to-do list didn't include underage drinking and making a general nuisance of himself.
Police were called to break up a loud crowd at Rocky Top Markets on Cumberland Avenue near campus early Friday morning, according to Knoxville Police spokesman Darrell DeBusk. When police informed the crowd the party was over, Banks responded by turning up the music in his car, according to the police report.
On a top-10 list of what not to do when a police officer says you are making too much noise, that ranks second to screaming, "You don't have the guts to use pepper spray." Who said Banks' greatest shortcoming as a quarterback was lack of arm strength?
He might be the best athlete on the UT football team. He also might be the least dependable.
Never mind how fast he can run, how high he can jump or how many positions he can play. UT is better off without him.
As for Banks, failing at UT doesn't mean he can't succeed elsewhere. Running back Onterrio Smith was dismissed from UT in 2000 after failing multiple drug tests. He transferred to the University of Oregon, where he became one of the country's top running backs, and now plays for the Minnesota Vikings.
Defensive tackle Lynn McGruder also thrived after being kicked off the UT team. McGruder, who will start for the Oklahoma Sooners this fall, was arrested on drug charges at UT in 2001.
After McGruder was arrested, Fulmer was asked how the player would be disciplined.
"I'm going to find out everything," he said. "No one on this team is indispensable."
Banks included.
