If I were Janzen Jackson I’d say a special prayer of thanks on Thursday. And I’d mean every word of it.
In fact, I wouldn’t wait until Thanksgiving Day. I’d have been all over it Tuesday morning as soon as I got the news.
How wonderful it should feel to be back in the Tennessee football locker room, back in the meeting room and back on the practice field.
If I were Lane Kiffin, I would include the following as part of my disciplinary action with my star freshman defensive back:
I’d make him sit down and study the case histories of several of his predecessors until he knows them by heart.
Guys like James Banks and Demetrice Morley.
Guys like LaMarcus Coker and Daniel Brooks and Onterrio Smith.
In announcing Tuesday that Jackson had been reinstated to the squad — and the starting lineup — Kiffin called it a “pretty easy decision.’’
All charges against Jackson were dropped related to his presence at the Nov. 12 armed-robbery attempt that got two teammates kicked off the team and out of school.
Jackson, Kiffin said, was cleared of any wrong-doing by the police department, the district attorney and UT’s student affairs office.
“I don’t know how you punish somebody for that,’’ Kiffin said.
Folks out there in West Knoxville or Gainesville or Lexington or Bristol, Conn., may debate whether or not Jackson is getting off light.
And if so, why?
Because he really had no role in or prior knowledge of the stupid, failed heist?
Or because he can tackle anything that moves?
Debate away, but the fact is that Jackson is back in good standing.
“We welcome him back with open arms,’’ senior defensive tackle Wes Brown said.
“He’s one of our teammates and one of our buddies. We’re glad to have him back. That’s in the past and we’re looking forward now.’’
So, looking forward, what will see from Jackson?
I’m betting that on Saturday night at Commonwealth Stadium he tightens up some holes that have appeared in Tennessee’s defense the three games Jackson has missed.
He had an immediate impact when he appeared in the lineup on opening day. There’s no reason to think he won’t do so again.
“He’s not your typical freshman,’’ Brown said.
But it’s the big picture that’s harder to predict.
If it was an easy decision for Kiffin to reinstate Jackson, I wonder if it will also be an easy decision for Jackson to make the most of this new lease on his Tennessee football life.
Kiffin described Jackson as “relieved” this situation was resolved in his favor.
“This was very tough on him, very tough on his family,’’ Kiffin said.
“But at the same time, when you go through something like that, I would sure hope that it is a wake-up call.’’
There. That’s the crux of it.
Jackson is a blazing talent. Even as a true freshman, he has been compared to Eric Berry. And by Kiffin, not some gushing talk-radio caller.
But being in that car with his felony-minded teammates that night was not the first time Jackson has played loose with the rules. He had just served a one-game suspension for another matter.
Whether this is Jackson’s second or even third chance, did he hear the wake-up call?
Unfortunately, the road is littered with other blazing talents who didn’t.
Banks never did. Smith, Coker, Brooks and, most recently, Morley were all multiple-chance Vols from this decade who squandered their careers at Tennessee.
Success found Jackson very early in the game. But so has trouble.
He can learn from it and go on to a long and no doubt heralded career at UT. If Jackson likes being compared to Eric Berry, he’d do well to emulate Berry off the field as well.
Or, he can ignore the wake-up call and ultimately end up as another day’s negative headline.
Banks or Berry? It’s up to Jackson.
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
Tennessee defeats Georgia 3-2 in…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 47
teampenny#658108 writes:
LK knows it is about winning and nothing else. This kid gives us the best chance of winning. Let's move on.
murrayvol writes:
Good column. Good advice.
Time will tell.
Punt_Formation_Leaverton writes:
We are very lucky to have JJ back. Hope he realizes that he better get back on the straight and narrow
Laydbakvol writes:
Kiffen should print this article and tape it to the inside of Jackson's locker. And his dorm room. And his bathroom mirror. Maybe a tatoo of some of those guy's names, backwards on his chest.
mlsoft#228820 writes:
Good for the Vols, good for the team, good for the kid -- I just hope he can us this as a learning event and straighten himself up. From what I have read, he has a lot in his life to clean up, and a lot of folks do not think he will make it even to the first game next year.
Let's hope he will prove them wrong.
mlsoft
tennesseebee writes:
He should be thankful he can play ball as well as he can, otherwise he may be in Lake Charles, looking at Jr. Colleges. It is great to have him back, tho, I can't lie. He is a special ball player. GBO!!
V_O_L_S_GO_VOLS_GO writes:
Couldn't agree with you more. :)
vol_in_bigten_land writes:
I hope he lets out some pined-up frustration on ken_ucky, maybe give a few cats a sloberknocker and introduce them to the future.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Close call, son. Learn from it.
Now bring it Sat nite.
TommyJack writes:
Couldn't find it, Doc.
BigErn writes:
Glad to have you back J.J. we missed you, and darn sure needed you. Keep your nose clean from now on, and good luck.
beachvol1 writes:
We'll see if he learned his lesson...kid, don't throw away your opportunity to make big bucks in a few yrs with your non discipline acts...grow up and help your team, family and yourself...all pulling for you to get it going....
paul5170 writes:
Totally agree
TommyJack writes:
Now that's funny.
GerryOP writes:
Mike, that article was uncalled for. When you climb down from your pedestal of righteousness, maybe you could write an article about UT sports? C'mon dude, you're better than this.
pupcop134#286910 writes:
he doesn't even have to go back too far to see a very tallented player kicked to the curb...brandon warren.
only took him 4 (or more) failed drug tests (allegedly)and a temper tantrum on national tv rivaling a 3 year old to give him the boot. JJ will let us all down...just a matter of time.
jumby92 writes:
OK, Jackson. Time to remove your head from your a55 and think about where you want to be a few years from now. Your two buddies got what they deserve and you better be smart enough to realize you are fresh out of chances and if youscrew this up, you'll be fresh out of friends.
cc623 writes:
Witch Doctor's witch doctor is the shiat!!!!!!!
mercuryvol writes:
Not throwing rocks (or cheeseburgers), but where is JJ's father,the coach,in all this? I've done about as bad, but I'm not sure I would be ABLE to practice if my father had found out.
GerryOP writes:
He was in K'town last week. Probably had a father/son chat.
yabadabadoo1026 writes:
rediculous comment--so hes on a pedestal cause he believes you dont go out and do stupid stuff to hurt yourself and your team??????, thats not righteousness but only proper thinking---- now whats wrong with that article, do tell us???
hodocka writes:
This would go a long way toward getting our youth back in line today which we so badly need. That and more importantly to get our youth and families back in church.
GerryOP writes:
Yogi Bear, it's over. Move on. Jackson wasn't judge not guilty, it was determined he committed no crime. I'm sure he feels bad about what happened, so let's all kick him when he's down. Strange's article was uncalled for.
How's life in Jellystone Park?
rockytopatl writes:
Dude, this is good sports journalism. It's a positive piece, it's from the heart, and it is darn good advice for Jackson and young athletes like him. This is what guys like Strange are paid to do and today he has earned his money.
huntined#565710 writes:
Truth is we all should give thanks. There is a lot of people out there that is having or has had it rougher than Jackson. Maybe as parents we should give thanks because it was not one of our kids that got themselves in that mess.
GerryOP writes:
See my posts of 9:06PM and 9:17PM this evening. This article is NOT good sports journalism.
mercuryvol writes:
JJ will find out about baseball from this,IMO;you know,strike 1,strike 2....
OwensboroVol writes:
I wouldn't pretend to give Lane Kiffin any advise on how to discipline his players. But, I believe that if I were he, I would make some strong recommendations on what time Mr. Jackson should be in his room and probably assign an upper classman to keep an eye on JJ. My gut feeling tells me if you can keep JJ clean the remainder of this school year, He will probably be OK. I would definitely have some strict rules for him at least until the season is over. It would be great to speak to his parents to get them to buy in on it as well.
V_O_L_S_GO_VOLS_GO writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
tapeworm writes:
What about this article was uncalled for? Did you even read it? Pedestal of righteousness? About all you got right with that was the spelling of righteousness. And, if this isn't an article about UT sports, what do you think it is?
V_O_L_S_GO_VOLS_GO writes:
We are sorry for judging you, O Great Assessor of Quality Sports Journalism. Please forgive us all.
You make no sense with your posts. Idiot.
jmr68ut writes:
He should be on probation until he earns the right to represent our university in a mature and responsible manner. That's strike two, Dude.
tennezz writes:
Good to see you on VolNation Doc. I`ve been wondering why you were not on there...We can use your words of wisdom!
Vol_in_exile writes:
Strange has a good idea: have JJ learn by heart several case studies of past UT talents squandered on 'extra-curricular' activities. Jackson's obviously an outstanding player, and I'm confident he'll be in top form against UK. Still, we'll need him far more over the next 2 (or if he doesn't go pro early, 3) years; I just hope he turns over a new leaf off the field that allows him to hang around that long.
The upside is big opportunities in the pro's after a brilliant college career. The downside is not only getting kicked out of UT, but getting a reputation with pro teams (even while college) of continually getting into legal/other trouble.
yabadabadoo1026 writes:
Despite not judged guilty of a crime this kid showed no judgement being out at 2:00 in the morning on the heals of just lifted suspension----not much good happens at 200 in the morning.
As at least the second strike he should have been sat for the remainder of the season to get his attention.
In the absense of that in the very least the whole team should have been put on a curfew the rest of the season to collectively pay the price that he got off of scotfree. When a guys actions/stupidly affect others than himself then he become more conscience of doing the right thing. And the group collectively will help monitor and keep teamates in line if consequences are placed on the whole team and not just the offender.
I support Kiffen but dispite not guilty of being part of the crime he was too forgiving considering JJs just previous issues causing suspension. If JJ wasnt a starter but a 3rd stringer just previously suspended he would be sitting the rest of the season to make a point this stuff wont be tolerated
chrisw2967 writes:
If I were JJ I would be at class 15 minutes early and be at practice 15 minutes early and after practice I would go straight to the dorm and give his key to his next door roomate and let them lock him in for the night and not let him out until its time for class to start.Then go out saturday night and pop some catnip into those kittens and everything will be good on the hill.
Im sure Kiffin has him on a very short leash.
Vol_in_exile writes:
Good point that nothing good happening at 2:00am (on a weeknight, no less). But how do you sit a kid out if he wasn't breaking any rule, since there wasn't any curfew? Maybe put a curfew on the team after that - but Kiffin refused to, saying he couldn't enforce it.
As for Kiffin being too forgiving, Jackson missed 2 games before his chrages were ultimately dropped. He also got a chunk of negative press out of this in Knoxville and on ESPN (at least). He has already been punished to some degree for poor judgment that night, and many have pointed it that followed close on the heels of his suspension the previous game, further questioning his judgment.
The team has likewise been disciplined, having their defensive unit weakened in his absence, getting humiliated by Ole Miss (in part because of his absence) and maybe missing a better bowl because of that loss.
There are some mitigating factors here, at least -- not just for Jackson but team discipline, too.
steamboatticket#484773 writes:
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/st...
Oh boy. That Urban Meyer be giving thanks he not coaching Notre Dame. Maybe some Irish knock him in the eyeball! He wanna stay where he own player gouge other player eyeballs. Urban Meyer lost his own high quality offensice coach. Maybe he lose a defensive coach. He better keep hisself some high quality criminal player! He better get hisself some more if he wanna stay Florida coach. Notre Dame gonna get itself a coach name Kelly, not Weiss or Meyer.
steamboatticket#484773 writes:
Oh boy. J.J. already been to iron bar hotel with jism hand guard. Maybe our J.J. already got hisself some street justice from hot dog in jailhouse basement. Everybody know J.J. already have to talk with debil callin hisself a lawyer. Now Witch Doc want J.J. goto woodhed with papaw. J.J. go back to Kiffin and Tennessee Volunteers where he belong. That debil lawyer go back to jailhouse where he belong. Oh boy. Maybe that old debil lawyer like Knoxville finest jism hand guard!
yabadabadoo1026 writes:
Ok, I'll accept the 2 games out while the investigation was pending might be ample punishment since he wasnt charged BUT I do think this should trigger a curfew for all with the team holding JJ responsible for such restrictions.
There should be a curfew-------these kids arent going to classes if they out running the streets at these hours. The enforcement will be if anyone is caught out after curfew there will be predesignated punishment and if they have any brush with the law after curfew they are gone----be out after curfew at you own risk knowing in advance the consequences
Southland writes:
Be a helper to the kids and put a curfew on them and bust their rear ends if they dont keep it and if they dont go to class. The very first post said it is all about winning and losing. If it is not more than that we are supporting a univerisity but rather a poorly run prison
bigorange61 writes:
Who knew the Witch Doctor was a humanitarian?
gnm53108 writes:
Haha
You're killin me wd.
Would you have done the same thing if you caught the kid with a .... girl that works?
vol88 writes:
Spot-on column.
Sovol writes:
Everyone is saying how lucky he is and he's better walk the straight and narrow. If He did not do anything how is he lucky. And he should choose his friends more wisely. He was with team mates. That's who you're gonna run with if you are a football player. The most questionable person in the group was the girl and she was cleared also except for the marijuana. I think he's been punished enough for not doing anything.
Ringside writes:
He is very fortunate. Needs to find new friends. Quick. Go Vols!
LILwaynesrockyTOP writes:
Lil Kiff got street cred now that he let JJ off.
Share your thoughts
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.