Cowboys: Pacman makes good first impression
Tom Orsborn
torsborn@express-news.net
IRVING — Adam “Pacman” Jones offered no apologies for gobbling up a fast-food quarter-pound cheeseburger and fries after a recent Dallas Cowboys minicamp practice.
And why should he? Considering how active he was on the field that day, the suspended cornerback probably could afford a significant caloric boost.
It's been three weeks since Jones received the green light from the NFL to work out with the Cowboys. In that span, he's made it clear to his new team he doesn't take any plays off.
“I thought he was a competitor, but he is an extraordinary competitor,” coach Wade Phillips said. “He really likes to mix it up out there and be a make-every-play kind of guy.”
While skepticism abounds about whether Jones can avoid the behavior that led commissioner Roger Goodell to suspend him in April 2007, Jones has been quick to prove the layoff hasn't robbed him of his drive to be one of the league's top players.
“He's a very competitive guy, and that's one thing rust doesn't take away,” secondary coach Dave Campo said. “He's attacking the thing with the idea he has a chance to make a play.”
Jones, 24, declined interview requests during the first two days of minicamp, telling reporters he planned to talk after the final practice Thursday. But the Cowboys canceled the workout and offered no media access to the team lunch/family day replacing it.
Jones' teammates and coaches, though, had plenty to say about him — all positive. The Cowboys acquired Jones in a trade with the Titans in April.
Asked what kind of an impression Jones has made, receiver Patrick Crayton said, “Good impressions, real good impressions. I don't think that was ever a question. Everybody knows he can play. He was what, the fifth or sixth overall pick?”
Crayton referred to Jones' desire to absorb Phillips' defensive scheme as an example of the West Virginia alum's positive showing.
“He's come in here and picked up the system pretty quickly,” Crayton said. “I haven't heard anybody repeat a whole lot to him. He's taking care of his responsibilities.”
Campo agreed.
“He's very serious,” Campo said. “He understands this is a big step for him.”
Goodell suspended Jones following a string of arrests that included his connection to a shooting at a Las Vegas strip club.
Since being drafted sixth overall by Tennessee in 2005, he's been arrested six times and involved in 12 incidents that required police intervention.
But Jones' recent good behavior convinced Goodell to partially reinstate him. He's been cleared for training camp next month and the preseason, but he may not know until Sept. 1 if he can play when it counts.
The Cowboys open at Cleveland on Sept. 7.
What is certain is that Jones holds himself to a high standard on the field.
He's already logged some time with the first-team defense, sparking speculation he could supplant Anthony Henry at right cornerback.
“When he walked out on the field, he was ready to start playing,” Campo said. “He does listen and he's hungry.”
Campo said Jones reminds him of Terence Newman, the team's Pro Bowl cornerback.
“They're aggressive, they've got good feet, they're quick,” Campo said. “I think Newman's pretty darn good, so that's a good compliment.”
But even Newman may fall short of Jones when it comes to being aggressive.
“He doesn't want anybody to catch the ball on him,” Phillips said. “If you say ‘go and sic 'em,' he's going to go sic 'em.”
torsborn@express-news.net
IRVING — Adam “Pacman” Jones offered no apologies for gobbling up a fast-food quarter-pound cheeseburger and fries after a recent Dallas Cowboys minicamp practice.
And why should he? Considering how active he was on the field that day, the suspended cornerback probably could afford a significant caloric boost.
It's been three weeks since Jones received the green light from the NFL to work out with the Cowboys. In that span, he's made it clear to his new team he doesn't take any plays off.
“I thought he was a competitor, but he is an extraordinary competitor,” coach Wade Phillips said. “He really likes to mix it up out there and be a make-every-play kind of guy.”
While skepticism abounds about whether Jones can avoid the behavior that led commissioner Roger Goodell to suspend him in April 2007, Jones has been quick to prove the layoff hasn't robbed him of his drive to be one of the league's top players.
“He's a very competitive guy, and that's one thing rust doesn't take away,” secondary coach Dave Campo said. “He's attacking the thing with the idea he has a chance to make a play.”
Jones, 24, declined interview requests during the first two days of minicamp, telling reporters he planned to talk after the final practice Thursday. But the Cowboys canceled the workout and offered no media access to the team lunch/family day replacing it.
Jones' teammates and coaches, though, had plenty to say about him — all positive. The Cowboys acquired Jones in a trade with the Titans in April.
Asked what kind of an impression Jones has made, receiver Patrick Crayton said, “Good impressions, real good impressions. I don't think that was ever a question. Everybody knows he can play. He was what, the fifth or sixth overall pick?”
Crayton referred to Jones' desire to absorb Phillips' defensive scheme as an example of the West Virginia alum's positive showing.
“He's come in here and picked up the system pretty quickly,” Crayton said. “I haven't heard anybody repeat a whole lot to him. He's taking care of his responsibilities.”
Campo agreed.
“He's very serious,” Campo said. “He understands this is a big step for him.”
Goodell suspended Jones following a string of arrests that included his connection to a shooting at a Las Vegas strip club.
Since being drafted sixth overall by Tennessee in 2005, he's been arrested six times and involved in 12 incidents that required police intervention.
But Jones' recent good behavior convinced Goodell to partially reinstate him. He's been cleared for training camp next month and the preseason, but he may not know until Sept. 1 if he can play when it counts.
The Cowboys open at Cleveland on Sept. 7.
What is certain is that Jones holds himself to a high standard on the field.
He's already logged some time with the first-team defense, sparking speculation he could supplant Anthony Henry at right cornerback.
“When he walked out on the field, he was ready to start playing,” Campo said. “He does listen and he's hungry.”
Campo said Jones reminds him of Terence Newman, the team's Pro Bowl cornerback.
“They're aggressive, they've got good feet, they're quick,” Campo said. “I think Newman's pretty darn good, so that's a good compliment.”
But even Newman may fall short of Jones when it comes to being aggressive.
“He doesn't want anybody to catch the ball on him,” Phillips said. “If you say ‘go and sic 'em,' he's going to go sic 'em.”
posted by The Gryphon at 6:57 PM
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