Pacman Jones: Setting The Example

News of out Dallas indicates that Adam Jones will be allowed to participate in organized team activities. Jones will also be given back his right to attend camp and play in preseason games.

Now, all this good news does not guarantee that Goodell will use his unchecked powers to grant Jones his full employment back.

Goodell has framed his unwillingness to grant full employment privileges to Mr. Jones within the context of it being some sort of a control mechanism. The spin being that Mr. Jones can't be trusted to act appropriately (in the eyes of the NFL) without having the constant threat of unemployment hanging over his head.

Certainly, there is still no mention by Mr. Goodell of the fact that Mr. Jones has not been the recipient of any judicial conviction. More certainly, Mr. Jones has not violated any line item specific NFL policy or rule. His 'punishment' was legislated through the arbitrary application of the dictator like powers of Mr. Goodell.

Mr. Jones has proven instrumental in law enforcement's efforts to solve the mysterious strip club shooting. A shooting that resulted in casualties. What is lost in all this is that Mr. Jones could very easily have been a casualty that night. He recognizes this and has done his best to provide as much guidance and leadership in this investigation process as is possible by a civilian.

It becomes clear to the unbiased observer that Mr. Goodell's reluctance to 'reinstate' Mr. Jones is purely personal. Mr. Jones took on the character assaults levied by the NFL's leader. He took on the punishment. He met the demands. All the while, never having been convicted of anything more than a minor traffic violation. He did all this with a smile and a positive attitude. Never once falling into the trap that Mr. Goodell hoped would lead to his downfall. And the fact that Mr. Jones has successfully beaten Mr. Goodell at his own game is too much for the power hungry dictator.

And, now, even more clear....Mr. Goodell's hope is that if he waits right up until game time on opening day to set Mr. Jones free from the NFL's institutionally mandated shackles, there is a chance that through some insidious, back door plotting that Mr. Jones might find more charges levelled against him by the corrupt minds of Mr. Goodell's complicit agents. And that would mean he could continue this unexplainable effort to destroy Mr. Jones career.

How galling this must be for Goodell. His plots, schemes and joint effort with the federal government worked to perfection in ensuring the incarceration of the Negro QB who was poised to change the face of the game forever. But it seems all the subversive efforts and attempts to take away the game that Adam Jones loves are going to be for naught.

And now, Adam can join his brothers in Dallas.

With Tank Johnson, TO and now Pacman forming a core in the locker room; look for the character of the Cowboys to rise toward the championship levels of the Michael Irvin and the "white house" era.