Source: Dallas Cowboys discuss deal for Pacman Jones
By Calvin Watkins / The Dallas Morning News
The Dallas Cowboys have held preliminary discussions with the Tennessee Titans about trading for suspended cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones, according to a source. The Cowboys could give up a late-round draft pick to acquire Jones. According to a source, Titans officials are not in a hurry to make a deal but realize the best way to move on without Jones is to trade him.
Jones told his Atlanta-based agent, Manny Arora, if traded he would put the Cowboys near the top of the list of teams he would play for. Arora, however, said he's talked to numerous teams about Jones and would like a trade to occur before the NFL draft on April 26-27. "If Tennessee chooses not to have him on their roster next year, it's in their best interest to trade him," Arora said, "because if not, they would get no compensation."
An NFL spokesman said Jones, suspended since April 2007 for violations of the NFL conduct policy, can still be traded to another team. The Cowboys are $3.9 million under the salary cap, and Jones is scheduled to earn a base salary of $1.292 million whenever he returns to the field.
Jones, 24, is scheduled to become a free agent following the 2009 season. A source said Jones is willing to renegotiate his contract at a lower salary to accommodate a team willing to sign him. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said he will review Jones' suspension before training camps open in July. But Arora would like to speed up the process because he doesn't want a team with needs at cornerback to draft one without taking a serious look at Jones.
The Cowboys need depth at cornerback after losing both backup corners in free agency. "The way I feel, if they bring in Tank [Johnson] or [cornerback] DeAngelo Hall or whoever, they understand what's at stake," Cowboys linebacker DeMarcus Ware said. "They understand how many guys are really working. Like Tank was saying when he came here, 'I've never seen as many guys working out at the same time and have the same drive in off-season workouts.' "
Last month at the NFL scouting combine, Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones said he wanted to add a "wow" factor to the team. On Monday, Jones told ESPN it was doubtful he could add an impact player now, yet he was confident it might happen in the future.
Arora said he wants to bring Pacman Jones to a team that has strong leadership at the coaching and management positions, plus a solid off-the-field program. The Cowboys tout their off-the-field player development programs, where former NFL player Calvin Hill is a consultant, as one of the best in the NFL.
