There is a buzz—a small buzz—around the league right now about former Titans and Cowboys CB Pacman Jones after he recently worked out for teams down in New Orleans and posted 40-times in the mid 4.4 range.
But, will the Lions or the Niners—the two teams who have reportedly shown the most interest—actually make a play for this guy?
We all know about Pacman’s off-the-field issues, and there is no need to even get into that, because the mere fact that teams showed up for a private workout should tell us that there is interest—despite character concerns.
However, a workout for a guy who has been out of football since 2008 isn’t going to tell us much. The 40 times? A good number, but a number that we see from plenty of rookie prospects who don’t have the baggage and did play competitive football in 2009.
Instead, to see the true value of Jones, a club has to sign him and get him into their off-season program to see if he has any dedication to the game and see him on the field—mini camps, OTAs and training camps. He needs work, and he needs to get that work against NFL receivers and NFL quarterbacks in a competitive setting. One-on-ones, team drills and the individual drills done in a practice environment to get his footwork and his technique back up to game speed. Not to mention the preseason come August to see if he can tackle, and play within the defensive system.
And, even then, you are looking at a corner who was sloppy in the past, takes chances at the corner position and was an average player during his time with the Cowboys. And, as Michael Lombardi wrote this morning, a lack of impressive tape to watch.
Special teams? Jones was dynamic in the past as a returner, but he will have to make a club as a corner first before he can start bringing back kicks.
But, if you are the Lions and Jim Schwartz—who coached Jones in Tennessee—do you take the risk of bringing him aboard, for now? Depends on the contract for starters. A minimum veteran deal, with no money up front is the only option. Allow Pacman to fight for a roster spot and make your team. If he struggles, or if he isn’t the type of character guy you want in the locker room, then cut him.
I wrote about the Lions the first weekend of free agency because they made moves to upgrade their roster. Nate Burleson, Kyle Vanden Bosch and the trade for Corey Williams. For Schwartz to start winning, he has to improve that roster from top to bottom. Is this another one of those moves? Pacman to Detroit? Possibly, if Detroit thinks he can upgrade the corner position.
NFL teams will experiment with veteran players all of the time in the off-season when there is no money tied into the deal. And, that seems to be the only way that Pacman will have a chance to play his way back into the league.
Now, he just needs a team to take a low-risk chance on him—again.
Follow me on Twitter: MattBowen41
What's the over/under on how many games he could play before getting suspended again? I'd put it at 7.
Matt, is there any way this player could be converted to a FS?
Matt-
Keep up the great content as always.
I'm stunned that the Lions and other teams sent scouts and personnel execs down to New Orleans to even look at this guy.
Football Facts are Football Facts. Dude is 5'9, and he's 27 years old now. He has started 34 games in the NFL in 3 seasons, and only has 4 career interceptions. He's undersized and below average as a corner. As a return guy...he was outstanding returning punts in 2006. The year before he was average. The year after he was out of the league, the year after that, in Dallas, he was mediocre returning punts.
So...we have an undersized, mediocre corner who doesn't have a proven track record of consistency as a special teamer, but does have a rap sheet a mile long.
It's a futile effort. There's not a single NFL roster that would be improved with him on the field, much less having him in the lockerroom.
no.
The value of Pacman is that he's proven before that he can play in the NFL.
would have expected better knowledge from a professional former browns player no chance cowboys would be more like it
The value of Pacman is that he's proven before that he can play in the NFL.
The value of Pacman is that he's proven before that he can play in the NFL.
Please remove this comment and my two duplicate comments. I hit refresh on the page and it re-submitted the comment
I forgot who started last year. You miss Cromarti and whats the worst thing that could happen he could run back kicks for you. you wont have to oay him to much and he has a great nick name. You have a great reciever that he could line up against to find d out what kind of man he realy is. If he still has it he has it if not he will get beatin down by the Megatron. You know the guy with that speed could aleast run back kick of and be a star there. The last true stud we had there was mel gray and this guy in his day had way more talent then that.
I think Pacman has so much talent but is always in trouble. I would take a chance with him but would not pay him very much. Let him prove himself.
Mar 21, 2010
01:58 PM
Former Brown? Maybe Cowboy...