The Pac is back? Waiting on Roger Goodell

by Dave Halprin (Grizz) on Nov 19, 2008 10:55 AM CST in News Comment 45 comments

I decided to jump into the posting rotation again after a two day absence. Working on an outside-the-blog project stole all my time but it's now finished. And unlike Chunky McNabb, I knew there was a deadline. Anyway, my absence was hardly missed as Rafael, Raul and Brandon were just killing it on Monday and Tuesday, with post after post. I love this blog merger.

Make the jump for some blog news and Pacman discussion.

The blog merger also brought us some records here at BTB, including the game day open threads. As Brandon posted yesterday, we had 3,286 comments on five threads. That's an all-time high by a large margin. You guys rock! I know some new members had some problems with the open threads here at BTB. I'm cataloging the suggestions I see and will send them to the tech team at SB Nation. Things like that won't change on this platform as easily as they might have with Raul on BSR. BTB is part of a network that has a great platform for blogging and much of it is run from a central location. Changes on each individual blog are limited to a few areas of control (mostly display options), the rest come from the mother-ship and have to be pushed out to all the blogs. So it can take a while to get some feature requests through the system. So be aware that I'm passing on the suggestions I see, but having them actually happen can take some time.

On using the open threads, I have some suggestions I posted before and here they are again. Keep the thread open in your browser. The comments automatically appear in the thread without the need to refresh. Use the ‘z' key to read new comments, the key will tab you through the comments and mark them as read. Then wait for new comments to come in, then hit 'z' again to read them. To post your comments, you can take the time to preview them then post them, or you can just hit ‘enter' twice when you've finished typing the comment and it will post. No need to scroll over to the ‘Post" button.

OK, I'm going to get back to football again as soon as I can watch the game again. I haven't even had time to do that this week. After that, maybe I can put together an abbreviated Film Review, although Raf has already covered a lot of that ground.

Adam "Pacman" Jones? Will the Commish put him back at the Ranch? We know Jerry Jones is going to take him back if he gets reinstated, and we should know the answer to that sometime later this week. A couple of articles about that here and here.

I've been all over the map about AJ. I didn't want him at first because I didn't trust him to stay out of trouble. But when I saw the trade terms I thought that was a pretty good deal so I tip-toed onto the bandwagon. Then when I saw him at camp and his play at corner at the beginning of the season, I went ahead and grabbed a seat on the band wagon. I wrote a few times that he was our best cover corner on the field, except when T-New was healthy, which hasn't been often this year. When Newman is on his game though, like against Moss, he can look like one of the best in the NFL. But Pacman's cover skills are pretty darn good and they looked like they were getting better as he was shaking the rust off. So having him back now, with Newman healthy and Mike Jenkins and Orlando Scandrick starting to get it, that would be a deep set of corners. Oh yeah, we have that guy Anthony Henry, too.

But I incurred a high ankle sprain jumping off the band wagon when he slipped up last month. I was totally frustrated with a guy being given a chance, after many chances, and knowing this was career-threatening is he messed up, and then he messes up. Yeah, the whole incident was more comical than menacing (fighting with your own bodyguard?) but he knew the deal.

I don't have any idea if the Commish will reinstate AJ, but if he does he's coming back to the Cowboys, Jerry has made that plain. One thing the Cowboys coaches have to do is get Jenkins and Scandrick continued reps in games if AJ is back on the team. You don't want to sit one of them all the time (Jenkins mainly because Scandrick is staying in the slot on the nickel) then have AJ mess up again and get suspended during crunch games in Dec/Jan. You need to have Jenkins rotating in for a good part of the game, he's getting better but game reps are the only sure way to keep that progression going. Maybe AJ can be the fourth CB for a while, until we get a better feel for how he's progressing

As far as him being a distraction, in normal circumstances on a normal team, this could be a huge distraction. But on the Dallas Cowboys, and during this year, it's more like throwing a twig on a raging bonfire; it's not going to make much of a difference. We have distractions to spare.

I think he could help us on defense and maybe in the return game. So I give the idea of his return to the team a mild thumbs-up.

JJT disagrees.

Why in the world would he want Adam Jones on his team this season? Jones can't do anything positive for the Cowboys this year.

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Comments

Grizz

I can understand the hesitation we as fans might feel for having AJ back on the team. A lot of concern about the team’s chemistry especially on this run they have to make. I think the way it could work is to have him as a situational cb on certain packages to work him back in and have him do special teams ( possible KO returner). I do not think that he should start over Jen or scan until later in the season after he shows that he can stay out of trouble (if it’s possible).

Ignore the Mainstream Media, EMBRACE THE HATE!!!!

by cowboy78 on Nov 19, 2008 11:05 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

He is unreliable

Let Jenkins and Scandrick continue to develop. Jones is always one stupid move away from missing significant time. Imagine the Cowboys making the Super Bowl with Jones as a starter, and he gets arrested the night before the game. Does anybody think that is far fetched? I don’t

Lifetime Cowboys Fan from the Swamps of Jersey

by Seanrude on Nov 19, 2008 11:18 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

+1

Well said Seanrude, the jerk just cannot be trusted, I agree with JJT, Jerry should not bring him back.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Nov 19, 2008 12:29 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm with you two

I hope he doesn’t get reinstated. Just becuase we have other distractions doesn’t mean we need more. I heard the coaches were down on him before he got suspended. He doesn’t pay attention to his assignments and free lances too much. Let the young guys develop.

by rhbgsherb on Nov 19, 2008 2:10 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

Pac has Stanley Wilson and Eugene Robinson written all over him. Any day could be his last day as a pro and that last day could be the day before a huge game.

If he comes back, I want him to be a slot guy on the dime packages. Let the kids continue to develop. They’re looking really, really good

by Rafael Vela on Nov 19, 2008 2:17 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I agree with JJT

I do not want Pacman back I like the things I am seeing out of Scandrick in the slot. I think that is where Pacman would play. Now if he comes in and spells Henry I am all for that I just don’t think he is playing like the corner he was last year. Still I hope he does not come in and hinder the playing time of a guy with good character like Orlando.

by rioplayer7 on Nov 19, 2008 11:18 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Just wanted to take the time to say I have enjoyed your writing for a while. I have never posted on here before because being a long timer on the BB?B+SR I always felt like I was cheating on a family member. Like Raf, your posts are insiteful and informative. Like Raf and unlike the mass media, you dont write stupid opinions used to inflame the masses. There is enough stupid journalism in the paper and in the news.

Having said that, I agree with you. I would take AJ but not at the expense of slowing down the developement of the rookies. These guys are very talented and by the look of it, gamers.

by squidlo97 on Nov 19, 2008 11:22 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

I'll take him back...

Why not? We’ve already paid for him. Might as well get more use out of him. Obviously, throw him on depth chart as the #4 corner. CERTAINLY (like you all have said) DON’T SCREW UP THE AMAZING PROGRESS OUR ROOKS HAVE SHOWN. But I still like him as a return guy…Grizz is dead on with the distraction though, no way is he more of a distraction than we already have in our little circus…

by AikmanNailedMySis on Nov 19, 2008 11:25 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

I'll take him

I know he isn’t the brighest guy, but I hate watching Henry in coverage.

"If you see me up in the mountains with a lion, I ain't lyin
don't help me, help the mountain lion"

by Wmillion on Nov 19, 2008 11:34 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Watching Henry in coverage

is like watching George Bush speak. Not a pretty sight.

by Mandmeisterx on Nov 19, 2008 11:41 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

ba-da-bum!

"I got a fever. And the only prescription is more cowbell." -- Bruce Dickinson

www.brainfriednetwork.com [NEWS/SPORTS/FOOTBALL]

by silverblue5 on Nov 19, 2008 12:53 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

We could use him.

Who knows how long Newman will remain healthy? What about the other guys, including Henry? I’ll take Pacman over Alan Ball any day. Plus, do we want to put Felix back on kickoff return duty with his injury? Pacman can take that stress off for a few more weeks until Felix is back at full strength for sure. Honestly, this suspension was a giant pile of BS, and this “incident” was nothing. If he had done something that was actually bad, I would say stay away from him, but not in this case.

If you’re that worried about him, don’t make him the starter, which he wasn’t anyway.

by Baked Potato Soup on Nov 19, 2008 11:42 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Speaking of Alan Ball,

Remember back in preseason during final cuts when everyone said not to worry about Ball making the team because he wouldn’t see the field anyway? Well I, for one, have seen Ball on the field on D way more than I would have ever wanted to.

by Mandmeisterx on Nov 19, 2008 11:48 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

That was my biggest problem with this whole "incident"

If it had happened with Pacman playing on any other team in any other town, nothing would have ever come from it. No arrests were made and they didn’t even mention Pacman by name in the police report. I know that he had been warned by Sheriff Goodell, but still, it was a minor disagreement/horsing around between two men. I still think that Gestapo Goodell hands out unequal punishment to different coaches and players, depending on who they work for (see Wade Wilson punishment vs. Belicheat’s punishment.) I will welcome Pacman back, but agree that he should not impede the progress of the rookies.

"So you can’t stiff arm at all? What about the throat?"- Marion "Barbarian" Barber

by DC_fan on Nov 19, 2008 12:35 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

+1 Baked....Goodell dragging his feet on this one is pathetic...4 games was excessive indeed..even for Pacman...enough already..reinstate and get him on the field..

He would be a major upgrade at Punt Returner…and now that Austin is out, we NEED him as our Kick Returner as well……Worried about if he messes up again ?? no…not me…If he does, he’s gone forever, and didn’t cost us anything at all for his services….It’s not going to change anything, no game planning, no rookie developement, no nothing….Trust in him ??…Can you trust Henry or Newman to remain healthy ?? no…not me…He was our best coverage defender the first month of the season, that’s with a year or more off, shaking off the rust…If he keeps his nose clean, and earns back his rightful spot at RCB, This defense will become as good as we thought they would be…He’s our second best CB…..and that’s one position you don’t give up on so easily…….If reinstated, and I was running the show, I’d throw Henry on the bench for good….play Pacman opposite Newman, Scandrick in the slot, and have Jenkins play the roving CB/FS position, shadowing TE’s and playing deep middle zone, allowing Hamlin to get closer to the line…….THAT is our best secondary alignment…..IF Pacman f*cks up…..Jenkin takes over on the outside, and then Henry assumes the TE CB/FS…….nothing lost……move on..I want Adam Jones back….

A true diehard Cowboys fan since 1975.

"If you don’t take him off the field as a coach, he will just about die out there," Jerry Jones said. "That impacted my decision. It’s a Michael Irvin-type work ethic. That’s what we are talking about with Felix Jones."
- Owner/G.M of the Dallas Cowboys , Jerry Jones

by BoyzRback on Nov 19, 2008 1:16 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

+1 BoyzRback.

By dragging his feet, even a couple of days, Goodell is making sure his 4 game (5 week) suspension is turning into 5 games (6 weeks), and that’s IF he reinstates him this week. What a joke! This issue really angers me. Belicheat, who deliberately violated league rules for years, upsetting competitive balance and casting multiple Super Bowl outcomes into doubt, gets NO penalty. (The $500,000 “fine” was easily paid by the Pats giving Bill a multimillion dollar raise at the same time.) Meanwhile, Adam Jones gets into a complete non-event pushing match with his bodyguard? that was over before it started, and he get’s 4 more games. (BTW — did the bodyguard ever think about not pushing back? What was he hired to do? Protect himself? Or protect Jones?)

This late in the week, Jones, if he is miraculously let back in before the 49ers game, will only be able to sub as the 4th CB. He should also get his punt return duties back, and maybe kickoffs if Felix, who is practicing, isn’t used there as a precaution. But even in those slots he could have an impact.

LET HIM BACK, ROGER. He’s served his time. He deserves to be a free man again.

by VAfan on Nov 19, 2008 4:11 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Henry should be sitting

Vela’s article on playing the young guys also should apply to Jones. He’s way younger than Henry, and it showed on the field when he played. I don’t know if Henry has declined so quickly because he’s banged up — maybe the thigh bruise from the Tampa game or something else — by KC Joyner’s stats — and that pass last week to Randle-El — show him to be the weak link. All it takes is one weak link on D for the other team to move the chains.

I would start Newman and Jenkins, use Scandrick in the slot, and bring Pac in for relief. The guy is going to be ultra-motivated to help the team. He’d be a plus, not a minus, for team chemistry. Heck, use him on kickoff coverage too. I guarantee you won’t see Pacman shy away from contact in the NFL (unlike MJ).

Remember, this is a guy who has made quite a lot of game-changing plays in his short NFL career. You can’t have too many of those guys.

by VAfan on Nov 19, 2008 4:20 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Pacman is coming back because Jerry would have to renege on his stance if he didn’t.

I like seeing Miles Austin on the field. I wonder if these injuries are from him actually seeing the field? It’s been a few years since he was regularly on the football field, and he’s far more limber than when he came out of college. I wonder if his body is getting used to a new level of wear and tear

by AustonianAggie on Nov 19, 2008 11:50 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

I just saw that Austin is out for a while.

That makes bringing Pacman back even more of a good idea, as he is also a pretty good kick returner. Put him on special teams and use him as depth and in certain packages on defense. Hell, he can take Mike Jenkins spot on the kick team since he isn’t scared of contact like Jenkins.

by Baked Potato Soup on Nov 19, 2008 11:52 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

+1 again I agree with Baked....Jenkins is losing my respect each and every game....

Pacman does NOT shy away from contact…Jenkins should NOT be on kick coverage teams…period…….I really wish someone would get in his grill and chew his pansy azz out, and slap him around a bit..

A true diehard Cowboys fan since 1975.

by BoyzRback on Nov 19, 2008 1:21 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

-1

He is good coverage.. He isn’t perfect, but I like what he is doing.

"If you see me up in the mountains with a lion, I ain't lyin
don't help me, help the mountain lion"

by Wmillion on Nov 19, 2008 3:37 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm all for it

As long as the team’s not subject to penalties based on behavior, which I wouldn’t completely rule out. Would anyone put it past Goodell to take away draft picks in punishment for a team taking in too many headcases?

by Conjunction on Nov 19, 2008 11:55 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

at this point...

i wouldn’t put anything past Goodell when it comes to his disregard for Pac or Jerrah

I commented. You're welcome.

another transplant from The Blue & Silver Report

by bulldog jeeper on Nov 19, 2008 2:49 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Return to Sender

We dont need Pacman screwing with the mojo of this team…unless we can work him in slowly.

1. he sucks in the return game – Crayton at least runs FORWARD when he catches the ball.

2. the other corners are progressing nicely in his absence

3. maybe we can work him into the dime and maybe some special teams coverage packages

4. if he shows progress (remember he hasnt been working out this past month) maybe we can continue our plan to move henry to safety and then have pacman as a nickle back.

by American Fan on Nov 19, 2008 11:56 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Pacman is better than Crayton.

At least Pacman has the possibility of breaking a big one, and he takes more chances. Pacman had 16 returns for 80 yards and 0 fair catches, while Crayton had 7 returns for 78 yards and 7 fair catches. Crayton is averaging half a yard more per punt. Just like his coverage skills, Pacman just needed some time to shake the rust off. Besides, with the injuries at the receiver position, wouldn’t you rather put Jones back there than Crayton? The last thing you can afford is Crayton getting hurt on a punt return and ending up down to 2 healthy receivers.

by Baked Potato Soup on Nov 19, 2008 12:07 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

sucks in the return game ????????? LMAO.....just start watching the NFL game " this " year guy ??

It’s more like OUR Return BLOCKING game sucks….

A true diehard Cowboys fan since 1975.

by BoyzRback on Nov 19, 2008 1:24 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

+1

But you have to concede that it’s a little of both. The blocking isn’t great, but sometimes you just gotta hit the hole and get a few yards instead of trying to make something out of nothing, which is what Crayton does. If we had good blocking, there would be no question that Pacman is head and shoulders above Crayton’s return game.

by sublimezg on Nov 19, 2008 1:29 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

head and shoulders above 95% of the leagues other punt returners more like it....

Sure….maybe he was trying to do too much back there, seasoning is all he needed, as I assure you, if he wasn’t suspended and played the whole season at PR……he would have/ will still return one to the house…..

prior to his original suspension, few would argue he’s the best punt returner in the game…and yes…that includes Devin Hester (who’s fascinating, but fumbles more than most return men in the league)

I would take him back for his return abilities alone….anything else is gravy…

A true diehard Cowboys fan since 1975.

by BoyzRback on Nov 19, 2008 1:36 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I watched every return Pac had

before he went and got himself suspended again. And ya know what i saw? A guy that ran the opposite way of his blocking almost everytime. You could almost see the blockers faces like, “where the hell is he going now??” It NEVER worked out in our favor and almost always resulted in a block in the back penalty cause our blockers were so confused as to which way he was going.

I’ll take Crayton’s positive yardage anyday over a guy that gets negative yardage most of the time and has “potential” to break one. Potential I never saw by the way………maybe hes lost a step.

by American Fan on Nov 19, 2008 3:43 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I'd take him

back in a heartbeat. With players dropping all the time with injuries, what could it hurt to have an able CB in reserve?

As Grizz stated, make him the 5th corner, use him on return teams, if nothing else, in practice he can make Romo and the receivers better.

I think this bodyguard thing was silly, but Pac knew he was on thin ice and deserved to get whacked. You can never build a team around the guy because he’s always walking along the ledge, but he can be there when and if you need a backup.

"It is an odd thing, but everyone who disappears is said to be seen at San Francisco" Oscar Wilde

by Jim Vance on Nov 19, 2008 11:58 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Take him back for next year

Keep him as the #5 corner in case we have more injuries or the rookies struggle. Let him help on kick returns/punt returns if he’s active on game days.

Next year, we’ll know a few more things we don’t know now. Can he stay clean for a full year leading up to next season? Will Henry move to safety or even be with the team next year? Will the rookies continue to develop and play well?

In short, we don’t need Pacman now, but we may want him later.

by cstorm15 on Nov 19, 2008 12:13 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Please Jerry NO!!

I do not want this guy on our team.This team has been through a lot of crap over the last month and he was a big part of that crap! He let Jerry down, Wade down, and not to mention all of us fans. He wasnt there when the team really needed him. And we dont “need” him now. Scandrick and Jenkins are doing just fine right now. If nothing else, Crayton is someone you can count on to at least catch the punt and pick up a few yards in the process. And now everyone wants to bring him in to return kickoffs because Miles Austin is hurt. Not me. Felix will be back if not this week, then thanksgiving for sure. So the way I see it, we dont “need” him. At this point he would be a luxury item, and for all the crap you have to worry about with this guy, he hasnt done anything on the field to make it worth it. For goodness sake, the guy had a 24 hour baby sitter with him. The team is starting to bond, so just let it be Jerry. PLEASE!

by TARHEEL PAUL on Nov 19, 2008 12:17 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Question:

Who returns kick offs this weekend? Is it Jenkins? I heard that Felix is not playing this week, Austin is injured and I am not sure if Stanback is injured or not. Please don’t let it be Crayton.

by coolaid on Nov 19, 2008 12:19 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Where Did You Hear That Felix Isn't Playing?

by staubachfan on Nov 19, 2008 12:50 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

just read that felix wasa running hard in practice this morning.

on the pfficial site.

Don't believe everything you think.

by stoproyce on Nov 19, 2008 1:17 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

They Said The Same Thing Last Week.

~Texas Massacre 08~

by TheHeat on Nov 19, 2008 1:56 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Heard it on the radio

but I guess they don’t now sh!t.

by coolaid on Nov 19, 2008 5:22 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

can i just say...

if pac gets re-instated… he will be on this team.. and he needs to be onthis team… he won’t be hurting the young guns, he should working behind the young n’s and returning punts, kickoffs, and be on kickoff and punt coverage… if he wants to be on this team, he should earn it by suring up our special teams bc, uh, our special teams aren’t very special… but, the reason we need him, is DEPTH… DEPTH…. DEPTH…. look into the future, the nfc championship… tnew is shadowing Greg Jennings all over the field… but once again, ouch, tnew goes down… now we’re looking at starting a henry and a rookie (a rookie i like, yet still a rook… i’d actually play him and pac and take out henry…) but still, he needs to be practicing so if we do need him, he can be ready… DEPTH DEPTH DEPTH (and special teams)

by CowboysFan4Life on Nov 19, 2008 12:29 PM CST reply actions 0 recs