Adam "Pacman" Jones, the Titans' first pick and the sixth-pick overall in this year's NFL draft was in the Tennesseean this morning. Unfortunately, it's not because Jones has finally signed a contract and will be joining the team at training camp.
Nope.
Instead, Jones continues to aliennate the local media, fans and now his own team by opening his mouth.
Jones made comments to the Tennesseean's Jim Wyatt about the lack of respect he feels from his new teammates, espeically Keith Bullock and Albert Haynesworth.
"It really is biting at me,'' Jones said by phone.
"My teammates, I don't think they've been as loyal as they should have been in this situation. A lot of other guys around the league are holding out and my teammates are the only ones that are saying negative stuff about me."
Jones said he is particularly perturbed with veteran linebacker Keith Bulluck.
"It bothers me that I am not on the field," Jones said. "But then I have to hear Keith Bulluck talking about me, how he doesn't even know who Pacman is. …
"As far as my teammate and everything, that will never change. But as far as the respect level off the field and me calling him for advice, that will never happen now."
Here's my advice to Jones--shut up, sign your contract and get into camp. You say you want some loyalty from your teammates...well, then how about you act like one! You've yet to do a thing on the field, even something as simple as showing up to camp! You want the respect and loyalty of your teammates? Then how about you sign a contract and get your running-away-from-those-wacky-ghosts self here and into camp. Or as a better PR move (and dude, at this point, you need one!) how about coming into camp while the final details of your contract are worked out? A small gesture like this is EXACTLY what your reputation needs both on and off the field.
You're holding out and the only impression you've made on the locals fans and media are for your antics off the field. I might add that at no point so far as Jones even showed an iota of contrition or apologized to the team and the fans for whatever his role was in the incident with Robert "Big Daddy" Gaddy a few weeks ago.
So, let's see who Jones has aliennated so far since the draft. He's probably aliennated Steve McNair, the leader of this team, by getting into a scuffle with one of his close friends and then accusing Gaddy of being in this to make a quick buck off a sports "celebrity." Then he's aliennated the team by not bothering to show up for work outs or camp and holding out. He's aliennating fans, who are wondering if the Titans made a mistake in drafting him. And how he's aliennated the two leaders of the defense that Jones would play for, assuming he signs a contract any time soon.
You know, at this point, I'm not sure all the talent in the world that Jones has makes him worth bothering to sign. I honestly begin to wonder if it might not be best for the Titans to cut their losses and let Pacman go find a new maze.
Maybe Deon could be pursauded to come out of retirement again. Sure, he had attitude, but he backed it up on the field.
Something Jones has yet to do...
posted by Michael Hickerson at 8/09/2005 09:33:00 AM |
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