May 2, 2010 – Adam Jones is begging. He sat out last year after failing miserably with the Cowboys. The last time he had any positive attention was during HBO’s “Hard Knocks,” where former Cowboys head coach-turned-assistant-again, Dave Campo, shook his head at the coaches meetings about whether there was too much rust and that “Pac Man” had it anymore.

That rust came from his suspension by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, which took into account over a half a dozen arrests and a Las Vegas topless club doorman now sitting forever in a wheelchair.
When the camera poked at Jones, there was ghettospeak, an attitude of ‘gangsta’ and that clever silver toothpick. It was clear that you can take the thug out of the hood, but you can’t take the hood out of the thug.

So he rusted, I mean, rested, in 2009 and tried the Canadian League and failed and at 26 it seemed to be over. Then he emerged again this season. One more try. He talked to the main “keeper of thugs,” the Cincinnati Bengals, went for a workout, but was apparently out of shape and nothing became of his audition. He talked with San Francisco and Green Bay. He tried the Detroit Lions, desperate for cornerbacks and now guided by Pac Man’s former defensive coordinator when he was an All Pro for the Tennessee Titans. Lions coach Jim Schwartz opened the door, but that was it. Seems like Pac Man’s agent got involved, caught some reporter’s ear and started a non-existent bidding war for Jones’ services.

Jones now sits outside, the Lions being the only team showing any interest, but not doing the simplest thing they could do – sign him for a minimum or incentive-laden contract. Adam seems contrite. The first thing is he no longer wants to be referred as “Pac Man,” the second is that he’s reciting things about not wanting to go out anymore, about just playing football and getting one more chance. According to those close to him he’s in good shape.

Should the Lions take the chance? They sure could use a good corner, but Detroit can be a playground for a young black man who likes to travel with armed entourages with paper bags full of money. There are casinos, clubs, pretty girls and the “Windsor Ballet” just across the Detroit River in Canada where the dancers are world class and Adam could certainly “make it it rain.”

Schwartz is trying to rebuild a dead franchise. Does he need to babysit a guy like Jones? Can the old “Pac Man” still be there, or will Schwartz be better off with the guys he has? And if success shows up again, will it relate to the contrite and “I’ve learned my lesson” Adam Jones, or will it bring back the bags of singles and “Pac Man”?

For the Lions, this can be filed under a “non critical” decision. If the OTAs and the rookie camp still show a weakness at corner with no less then four new candidates to audition, then ask Adam to join in. If he’s gone by then, so what, no headaches.