Will Irish Let Jones Go?

The people of South Bend, Indiana can now breathe again. Rejoice in the knowledge that their much beloved Fighting Irish are intent on not going 0-for-the-2007 season.

How else would you explain the overly exuberant, clearly vindicative, win-at-all-cost nature in which Notre Dame went after one-time heralded savior Demetrius Jones? By now, the plight of the former ND starting quarterback is about as well known as his former team's countless struggles.

Jones began the year as coach Charlie Weis' starter, only to be pulled early in the team's 33-3 opening loss to Georgia Tech, never to see the field again. Soon player and coach were jawing back and forth over his role and what had been promised to him. By the third game, the Chicago-native had chosen to no longer travel with the team and soon announced his decision to transfer to nearby Northern Illinois of the MAC Conference.

Without an offensive touchdown in its 0-3 start, that's when Notre Dame adeptly went on the offensive. School athletic officials countered with word they had no plans to release Jones from his scholarship, assuring that any choice to leave would be a costly one.

NCAA rules state that without the release, Jones is ineligible to receive a scholarship at any other school and would have to pay his own way to attend. The school released a statement rationalizing its stance by stating it did not think the departure “was handled appropriately.”

Seems in their minds that's reason enough to vanquish Demetrius Jones to the land of limbo or, equally as bad, saddle his parents with some sort of monster debt, just so their son might have even a chance. Yeah, that sounds real appropriate.

Now comes word that ND will release Jones from his scholarship---but with stipulations. For one, he wouldn't be allowed to attend any school on the Irish football schedule, which arguably seems fair enough. But NIU, for whatever reason, is also off his list of choices. Talk about playing for keeps.

Under such murky circumstances, Demetrius Jones should be free to take his talents wherever he choses. And Notre Dame may be better served taking a bit more of that killer instinct they're displaying in trying to prevent him onto the field of battle with them.

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