DMN Blog: Should Adam Jones be a starter?

[WoodysGirl]

10:53 AM Mon, Jun 23, 2008 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
Tim MacMahon http://www.***BANNED-URL***/blogs/images/email-icon.jpg E-mail http://www.***BANNED-URL***/blogs/images/email-icon.jpg News tips

A couple minutes after declaring that he didn't want to be known as Pacman anymore, Adam Jones gave the right answer to a question about whether he'll be a starter this season.

"I got a lot of work to go," he said. "When I get there, we'll see. But I got a lot of work to go to get back to where I want to be. I'm just gonna keep working hard and see where it plays out after camp."

Anthony Henry, however, wasn't too happy about No. 21 getting first-team reps during last week's minicamp. Henry sees it as a sign of things to come.
"I knew what time it was when the transaction happened at the draft," Henry told the Cowboys' Web site. "I already knew what time it was. It's just a matter of when. And maybe when is now."

Coach Wade Phillips often comes to this here blog for advice, so feel free to weigh in on this issue. Follow the jump to read the cases for and against Mr. Jones replacing Henry in the starting lineup (and, yes, I'm assuming he stays out of trouble and gets fully reinstated).

Mr. Jones should start because: He's a potential Pro Bowler and the second-best cornerback on the roster. Pairing him with Terence Newman would give the Cowboys two corners capable of being left alone against almost any receiver, giving Phillips freedom to be blitz aggressively out of the base package. Henry, who will turn 32 in November and has been hampered by injuries the last two seasons, also has a better chance to stay healthy if he isn't playing every down.

Mr. Jones shouldn't start because: The Cowboys can't trust him. Superstar columnist Jean-Jacques Taylor has since backed off this stance, but his belief that Pacman would do something stupid at the worst possible time for the Cowboys made some sense. How much do you want to rely a guy who is one wrong move from being an ex-NFL player?
Coach Wade wants your opinions, but I'll pitch in with mine. Mr. Jones is here, so the Cowboys have already made the decision that they're willing to take the risk of trusting him. Now, they have to get the most out of him. He has to beat out Henry for the job, but if Mr. Jones looks like the better cornerback during training camp and preseason, make him a starter.

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Added a poll for entertainment purposes...

 

[Doomsday101]

I have no problem with Jones starting if he earns it. It should be based on performance through out camp and pre-season. If the staff feels like he earned the spot great if they feel he should be eased into the lineup in nickel situations then great.

 

[RomoIsBack]

midseason he will take over henry always get hurt

 

[Doomsday101]

midseason he will take over henry always get hurt

Who is to say Jenkins will not earn the spot? I think Jones has a legit shot at outright earning the job but the key is he should have to earn it and the same holds true for the young players like Jenkins.

 

[Disturbed]

Who is to say Jenkins will not earn the spot? I think Jones has a legit shot at outright earning the job but the key is he should have to earn it and the same holds true for the young players like Jenkins.

My vote would go to Jenkins first, until Pacman proves he can stay out of trouble for a year or more. I would use Pacman as the #3 CB, and possibly returns and offense.

 

[Doomsday101]

My vote would go to Jenkins first, until Pacman proves he can stay out of trouble for a year or more. I would use Pacman as the #3 CB, and possibly returns and offense.

I understand that however Dallas already took the gamble with Jones and if he comes out and show he is the best option at CB then he should play. If Jenkins comes out and shows he is the best option then he should. As far as I'm concerned it goes for all of our CB with the exception of Newman who has proven himself over the course of his career in Dallas. I do think in this pass happy NFL they will all see ample playing time.

 

[Hostile]

I want the best qualified guy to start. I don't care if that is Jones, Jenkins, Henry or Scandrick. Let the guy who earns it start.

He hasn't even been reinstated yet and we're wondering if he should start? Has he mastered the DEfense? Does he know more about it than anyone else? Is his physical talent above everyone else's?

Maybe it's just me, but I think that has yet to be determined.

 

[Rampage]

I want the best qualified guy to start. I don't care if that is Jones, Jenkins, Henry or Scandrick. Let the guy who earns it start.

He hasn't even been reinstated yet and we're wondering if he should start? Has he mastered the DEfense? Does he know more about it than anyone else? Is his physical talent above everyone else's?

Maybe it's just me, but I think that has yet to be determined.

that's why their's a poll asking if he should start along with an article talking about it.:wink2:

 

[Stash]

Why couldn't the Sporting News have taken Timmy instead?
http://i5.***BLOCKED***/albums/y164/nbr1diva/timmy1.jpg


:bang2:

 

[Hostile]

that's why their's a poll asking if he should start along with an article talking about it.:wink2:

I got it. Long before your clarification. It's still stupid.

 

[DallasDomination]

This is what will happen. Henry will start the season off playing lights out, playing like the best Corner in the team by a mile, then He wil get injured and play like a 3rd stringer. PacMan Jones will start mid season.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Perhaps we should wait until after training camp and preseason before making that call.

 

[gazmc_06]

If Jones is the best then he should play, same with any other player.

 

[CrazyCowboy]

When you look at the two options as written.....it is easy to see that Adam Jones should indeed START!

 

[Everlastingxxx]

I predict he will be the starter by day 1. Why?

• Young (everyone says he is in good shape)
• Talented (he is the next best corner on the roster)
• Henry injury prone and low on confidence (by reading his remarks)
• It’s cornerback (not quarterback)
• Doing all the right things outside of football

 

[ThreeSportStar80]

I think Henry should be given the opportunity to start but then transition A. Jones into the starting lineup.

 

[CoCo]

I'm with Hos on this one. No offense to anyone but "should" is not the appropriate word at this point. "Should" implies, to me, evaluation of factors that would lead to a particular conclusion.

"Should" cannot be answered until these players have put the pads on and begun meaningful practice and competition against one another.

Now if you want to "predict" what will happen when those pads go on etc., then ask it that way.

Sometimes I feel picky for being a literalist but then if you aren't precise in your dialogue it can (and often does on this site) lead to all sorts of confusing discussion.

 

[leeblair]

Or else, why did the Cowboys want him?


It's about putting the best players on the field to win; and if they were willing to take the risk to sign him, then they should be willing to take the risk to play him.

 

[JohnnyHopkins]

Best player should start, period. I like Henry, but he is kidding himself if he thinks his job should be secure. he is always an injury waiting to happen.

One way or another, Jones will be starting at some point.

 

[Rampage]

Or else, why did the Cowboys want him?


It's about putting the best players on the field to win; and if they were willing to take the risk to sign him, then they should be willing to take the risk to play him.

did you used to post at the ranchreport?