Tennessee football coach Phillip Fulmer has made his decision, assuming there was really a decision to make about James Bank.

The former star receiver came to Fulmer humbled, apologetic, needing just one more chance to prove himself. Fulmer politely declined.

See, Banks blew at least three chances at UT. Now, he's damaged goods with a future that is dimming faster than a candle in a tornado.

Banks wanted to return to UT after being dismissed in December for failing a drug test. The dismissal was the culmination of a tumultuous 2 1/2-year stay in Knoxville that included three suspensions.

There's no doubt that Fulmer loves talented players like Banks. Critics say that Fulmer may have loved such stars too much in the past, bending the rules to keep them in good graces.

It's easy to empathize with Fulmer. He spends countless hours recruiting the nation's best high school players. He promises their parents that he'll be a fatherly influence on their children.

Then, some of those same players--often times the most talented ones --break his heart, his APR, and his long-range plans.

Banks was one of those players.

Banks' teammates called him the best athlete on the team after his breakout sophomore season in 2003.

Banks was UT's leading receiver that year. He also led the team in highlight-reel plays and helped UT to a 10-win season.

There was a "Hail Mary" touchdown catch against Florida, an overtime game-winning touchdown catch against South Carolina, and two key plays against Alabama as the Vols bested the Tide in five overtimes.

Without Banks, 10-3 could have easily been 7-6

Despite his contributions, that was then, in the past, exactly where Banks should stay.

Why would Fulmer want to jeopardize the same team chemistry that he praised this spring? How would Fulmer look if the supposedly converted Banks had a relapse in orange?

As hard as it may be, place Banks' off-field issues on the back burner. Let's say, for argument's sake, that the new James Banks is no more likely to draw Fulmer's ire than any other player.

Where would Banks play at UT? Wide receiver is stockpiled with talented players. Banks was moved to safety in 2004 before suffering a knee injury that cost him his junior year.

His most memorable play at the new position came during fall practice when then-freshman Brent Schaeffer announced to everyone on the practice field that he was, indeed, a worthy candidate to assume UT's quarterback job.

Schaeffer put a juke move on Banks leaving the former Indianapolis high school star grasping for air.

That was the last time that Banks heard any cheers on the field. Too bad they probably sounded more like jeers to Banks as his teammates roared in awe of Schaeffer.

Who would have guessed that those two players would be gone just eight months later?

If Fulmer had allowed Banks to return to UT, the damage would have been done even if Banks were a model citizen.

Imagine the next player that is standing on the precipice of a dismissal.

"This is your final chance, son ... I mean it ... I really do ... One more strike and you're gone ... Seriously ... Don't test me ... There will be no coming back."

If Banks were allowed to return, those threats would hold less water than the "Original Whizzinator", the device Banks used to try to fool UT's drug tests.

From covering Banks as a reporter, he seems like a good-hearted, albeit lazy, young man. Had he avoided trouble, he could easily have been described as "happy-go-lucky".

Instead, he was a constant distraction.

He was a distraction when coaches and players had to answer questions about his behavior. He was a distraction when he refused to participate in certain practice drills. He was a distraction to coaches and administrators as they were asked about his recent request for forgiveness.

Just imagine the distraction if he had returned.