Ever since his inception into the league as the sixth overall pick in the 2005 draft, Adam "Pac-Man" Jones has been in the limelight of the NFL for all the wrong reasons: drugs, assaulting women, illegally possessing weapons, disorderly conduct, vandalism, theft and so on. In a recent radio interview to a local Tennessee station, Pac-man expressed that he is "in tip-top shape and ready to play football." However, before he can play, Pac-man will need to be re-instated into the league from his year long suspension and also secure his spot on a team, as it appears that he has used up his welcome and will likely be traded from his current club, the Tennessee Titans once he is re-instated. With a track record like his, should our beloved New England Patriots be willing to take a chance on this guy? Answer, NO!
Firstly, this discussion need not even take place until Jones actually gets re-instated back into the league. League Commissioner Roger Goodell has proven to be a stickler in the past with any off-field conduct, but despite Jones' very contemptible behavior, he probably will be given another chance to come back and play. Jones is aspiring to be allowed to play before the late-April draft while Goodell has said he expects to review the case by the time July mini-camps start.
As far as Pac-Man on the field, the guy is terrific. Since coming into the league with the Titans, when the enigmatic cornerback actually has played, he's been special. He is a big-time play-maker in the defensive secondary and he is also an explosive special teams player. In 2006-07, just his second full NFL season, Jones had four pick-off's, one for a touchdown, 62 tackles, one sack, one forced fumble, he totaled 961 yards in returns and three special teams touchdowns. His resume of off-field drama is just as long and not nearly as gleaning as his football statistics.
Six arrests, one year-long suspension from the league, consistent legal crises, a slew of horrific media coverage and pitiful public relations are what people most identify Pac-Man Jones with these days. Since losing focus on football and getting involved in his stupid and dangerous off-field antics, Pac-man is not only jeopardizing his football career, but also his life. From violence at strip clubs to possessing illegal weapons, to theft and vandalism, Jones has been his own worst enemy. His long list of bad decisions makes him a huge risk to himself, but also for any team willing to give him a chance to play once reinstated. With a trade from the Titans seeming immanent, some reports out there, including one from a prominent Tennessee newspaper, are now saying that our home-town boys, the New England Patriots are among the teams that have expressed some interest in Jones.
The Pats must keep as far away from Pac-Man as possible. The guy is way too much of a liability off the field and while the skills he does bring are formidable, they are not completely irreplaceable. In just his three years since being drafted, Jones has not displayed that he is mature enough to conduct himself as a professional and for me; it seems unlikely that he can all of a sudden turn it around, even once putting on a Pats jersey. Yes the fans, and probably even the Pats themselves, are convinced that Pac-Man can change his ways but considering the big picture, it just wont work. This guy would be cancerous in the locker-room, a sure off-field distraction and really just seems like a law-suit waiting to happen. The Pats would be better off saving the draft picks that will probably be required to trade for him and look for young, mature, talented players in the draft who they can develop. Furthermore, Bill Belichick has more important things to do than worry if Jones adheres to his probation sanctions and stays out of trouble long enough to continue playing. And even if he can actually play, after being on the shelf for over an entire year, the question remains, can he still play at a quality NFL level?
Overall, it is clear that Jones brings both some good and some very bad qualities into the mix. In the end, the guy is flat-out not worth his weight in excess baggage and not worth the risk that comes when you take on a guy with such a questionable past. This decision seems easy, Pac-man should not find a home in New England.
