Calling all cars, calling all cars, rain man (seven minutes to wapner…) reported coming to Dallas. Yes, you heard it here, Adam “Pac –Man” Jones is coming to the Big D.
Maybe Big D can handle Pacman Jones.
The Dallas Cowboys and Tennessee Titans agreed in principle on a trade on Wednesday for the suspended cornerback.
The agreement, which was first reported by ESPN’s Ed Werder, was confirmed to The Associated Press by both teams. No terms had been filed with the NFL office, which already had closed for the day.
Sources tell Werder that Dallas will send its fourth-round pick (the 126th overall) in Saturday’s draft to the Titans for Jones.
There are also conditions attached to the trade related to Jones being reinstated by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and how much he plays for the Cowboys. If he plays a significant amount of time in 2008, the Titans will get an additional pick from the Cowboys in 2009.
If he doesn’t get reinstated by the NFL, sources said the Cowboys get the Titans’ fourth-round pick in 2009.
Also, Pacman has reached a financial settlement with the Titans regarding his contract situation. ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reported that Jones will forgo the $1.25 million performance bonus that he earned in 2005. Instead of repaying the Titans a portion of his signing bonus, he has agreed to make a $500,000 donation to a charity of the Titans’ choice within the next two years.
Jones has agreed to a restructured contract with the Cowboys. Sources told Werder that it will be a four-year contract with no guaranteed money. By restructuring instead of transferring his existing deal, Jones gives up nearly $7 million in guaranteed base salaries over the next three years.
As a fan of the Cowboys, I am really feeling the deal. It is a no lose for the Cowboys. First, it is only a fourth round pick. The Cowboys can easily balance losing that with the players that they have been able to accumulate. The depth on Dallas has been really good in recent years and this is adding another valuable piece. Two, if the commissioner does not reinstate Pacman, then the Titans (who are going to not be that tight, sorry Nate) will owe Dallas a fourth round pick in 2009. Because no one really knows football thinks that the Titans will be better than the Cowboys, even if it doesn’t work out, then it’s like a savings bond with decent rate of return
Third, Pacman wanted to be in Dallas so bad, he forfeited a 1.25 million dollar bonus from 2005 that he was due. Instead of coming up with the loot, Pacman will make a 500,000 donation to the charity of the Titans choosing. Finally, he was willing to be humbled, by apologizing and doing the public appearance thing by agreeing to come on the Michael Irvin show and show contrition in the public eye.
I also think that the story of Pacman being blackmailed for the safety of his family and himself will make him a more likeable figure in the sense that he is/was showing weakness and vulnerability. The one indictment of professional athletes is that they are out of touch with the frailties and problems that the common folk go through. Being blackmailed is the ultimate sign that you are not in control. The other thing about the case is that it shows the depth of Pacman’s convictions to get back on the field and to get to Dallas. This requires a lot of discipline for anyone to meet all the minutia that follows. But, he knows what he is playing for. He is playing to secure his freedom and be able to play in the NFL and enjoy the trappings of being a celebrity…
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