Impact Analysis: Pacman Jones, meet the Dallas Cowboys
By Bryce McRae
Edited by Herija C. Green
The drawn-out trade of Tennessee Titans cornerback Pacman Jones to the Dallas Cowboys finally came to pass Wednesday, April 23, when the Cowboys agreed to send a fourth-round draft pick in 2008 and a sixth-round pick next season to the Titans in exchange for the troublesome defensive back. Jones has not played since the 2006 season after receiving an indefinite suspension from the NFL, and the Cowboys could recoup a pick if Jones is not reinstated or is suspended again following a reinstatement. The suspension came after Jones was arrested for the fifth time in two years; this last incident leading to a December no-contest plea of disorderly conduct after he was ejected from a strip club February 2007.
Jones has yet to be reinstated by the league for his indiscretions and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has not promised he will do so. The Jones deal could see further picks swapped based on his playing time. In 30 games (28 starts) over two years with the Titans, Jones deflected 18 passes, intercepted four and finished with 115 tackles (94 solo). His contributions in the return game were a major reason why the Cowboys made this deal. He returned 20 kicks in 2006, averaging 26.1 yards for a total of 521 yards. Punt returns were where he really excelled as he totaled 440 yards on 34 punts, while reaching the end zone three times in 2006. His kick-return average was sixth in the league for players with at least 20 attempts that year, while his punt-return average was tops among players with at least 20 returns.
What this means for the Titans
This likely will have little impact on the Titans 2008 season. They showed last year what they could do without him, making the playoffs for the first time under quarterback Vince Young. The fourth-round pick they received for Jones was used to select University of California-Berkeley receiver Lavelle Hawkins, which could help provide Young with another weapon. The distraction of not having Jones around should be another benefit for the Titans.
What this means for the Cowboys
The Cowboys have done a good job turning around troubled players' careers; the most recent cases being wide receiver Terrell Owens and defensive tackle Tank Johnson. They are hoping for a similar outcome with Jones.
Any value Jones brings will be contingent on his reinstatement by the NFL. If that happens, this could be a solid value move for the Cowboys. The loss of backups Nathan Jones (Miami Dolphins) and Jacques Reeves (Houston Texans) left the team desperately thin at this position. Jones' acquisition could help to address that, plus the team selected South Florida cornerback Mike Jenkins in the first round. Jones is a solid playmaking corner with good coverage skills that should be a great addition to team with returning starters Anthony Henry and Terence Newman. Assuming he is reinstated, look for Jones to start at nickel back until he gets back up to speed. Once he is caught up, he likely would take over Henry's starting spot.
The Cowboys lacked an elite return man last year, ranking in the bottom half of the league for both kick- and punt-return averages while failing to score on any return. Jones addresses this need in a big way. His impact on the Titans return game can not be ignored. Before they drafted him sixth overall in 2005, the Titans averaged just 4.3 yards per punt return. They more than doubled that in his first season with the team (9.3) and averaged a league-best 12.6 yards per punt return in 2006. Without him they fell back to 16th with an 8.7-yard average.
If you are in an Individual Defensive Player (IDP) league, picking up Jones as a No. 4 cornerback with upside would be a good move. Playing time, character issues and uncertainty surrounding his status are clearly the biggest drawbacks for anyone taking him.
Edited by Herija C. Green
The drawn-out trade of Tennessee Titans cornerback Pacman Jones to the Dallas Cowboys finally came to pass Wednesday, April 23, when the Cowboys agreed to send a fourth-round draft pick in 2008 and a sixth-round pick next season to the Titans in exchange for the troublesome defensive back. Jones has not played since the 2006 season after receiving an indefinite suspension from the NFL, and the Cowboys could recoup a pick if Jones is not reinstated or is suspended again following a reinstatement. The suspension came after Jones was arrested for the fifth time in two years; this last incident leading to a December no-contest plea of disorderly conduct after he was ejected from a strip club February 2007.
Jones has yet to be reinstated by the league for his indiscretions and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has not promised he will do so. The Jones deal could see further picks swapped based on his playing time. In 30 games (28 starts) over two years with the Titans, Jones deflected 18 passes, intercepted four and finished with 115 tackles (94 solo). His contributions in the return game were a major reason why the Cowboys made this deal. He returned 20 kicks in 2006, averaging 26.1 yards for a total of 521 yards. Punt returns were where he really excelled as he totaled 440 yards on 34 punts, while reaching the end zone three times in 2006. His kick-return average was sixth in the league for players with at least 20 attempts that year, while his punt-return average was tops among players with at least 20 returns.
What this means for the Titans
This likely will have little impact on the Titans 2008 season. They showed last year what they could do without him, making the playoffs for the first time under quarterback Vince Young. The fourth-round pick they received for Jones was used to select University of California-Berkeley receiver Lavelle Hawkins, which could help provide Young with another weapon. The distraction of not having Jones around should be another benefit for the Titans.
What this means for the Cowboys
The Cowboys have done a good job turning around troubled players' careers; the most recent cases being wide receiver Terrell Owens and defensive tackle Tank Johnson. They are hoping for a similar outcome with Jones.
Any value Jones brings will be contingent on his reinstatement by the NFL. If that happens, this could be a solid value move for the Cowboys. The loss of backups Nathan Jones (Miami Dolphins) and Jacques Reeves (Houston Texans) left the team desperately thin at this position. Jones' acquisition could help to address that, plus the team selected South Florida cornerback Mike Jenkins in the first round. Jones is a solid playmaking corner with good coverage skills that should be a great addition to team with returning starters Anthony Henry and Terence Newman. Assuming he is reinstated, look for Jones to start at nickel back until he gets back up to speed. Once he is caught up, he likely would take over Henry's starting spot.
The Cowboys lacked an elite return man last year, ranking in the bottom half of the league for both kick- and punt-return averages while failing to score on any return. Jones addresses this need in a big way. His impact on the Titans return game can not be ignored. Before they drafted him sixth overall in 2005, the Titans averaged just 4.3 yards per punt return. They more than doubled that in his first season with the team (9.3) and averaged a league-best 12.6 yards per punt return in 2006. Without him they fell back to 16th with an 8.7-yard average.
If you are in an Individual Defensive Player (IDP) league, picking up Jones as a No. 4 cornerback with upside would be a good move. Playing time, character issues and uncertainty surrounding his status are clearly the biggest drawbacks for anyone taking him.
posted by The Gryphon at 9:22 PM
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