Report: Cowboys' Jones to mail reinstatement letter to Goodell on Thursday
ESPN.com news services
Updated: August 13, 2008, 6:28 PM ET
Adam Jones will mail a letter to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on Thursday in which he will ask for full reinstatement to the league, the Dallas Morning News reports.
According to the newspaper, the Cowboys cornerback will receive a ruling on his status before the start of the season.
"I'm feeling real good," Jones told the newspaper in reference to his letter. "It's just a letter why I feel I should be reinstated. It's my chance to respond and we'll see how it goes."
Jones received partial reinstatement to the NFL on June 2 from Goodell and as part of his reinstatement, was permitted to participate in organized team activities as well as training camp and preseason games.
While that decision gave Jones the chance to earn his way back into the league, Goodell didn't guarantee he would be reinstated.
"This limited reinstatement is a step in the process," Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said. "Adam is aware of the things that need to be done in order to take the next step."
Adam Jones played in the Cowboys first preseason game against San Diego on Aug. 9, recording a tackle. Jerry Jones said he was treading lightly while awaiting Goodell's decision on Adam Jones.
"That's at [Goodell's] discretion, and I don't want to do or say anything that would imply that I'm getting anxious or pushy about it," Jerry Jones said.
Jerry Jones wouldn't speculate on when he expected to hear from Goodell, acknowledging that the decision "probably will be very late in the preseason." Jones did say, however, that he anticipated to at least "get a feel" of what to expect before the Cowboys have to cut their roster to 53 players on Aug. 30.
"I'm just guessing that," Jones said.
A final determination will be made by Sept. 1. Jones will have to be on perfect behavior in order to be eligible for the 2008 season.
"Commissioner Goodell told Jones that his continued participation in the NFL depends on demonstrating that he can conduct himself in a lawful and reliable manner," the NFL said in a June 2 release. "Jones will be expected to continue the personal conduct program established by the NFL and the Cowboys and to avoid further adverse involvement with law enforcement."
Adam Jones, who has been arrested six times and has been involved in 12 incidents requiring police intervention since being drafted, was the main player involved in the league's player conduct policy, which was created to discipline players who have had repeated confrontations with the law. Jones missed all of last season under the player conduct policy and could miss all or part of the 2008 season if he has another incident.
In late May, Jones met with Goodell to discuss his status with the league. By giving Jones the chance to work at the Cowboys facility, Goodell apparently accepted Jones' explanations for allegedly giving money to a suspect in a shooting incident in Las Vegas. Goodell also must have accepted Jones' explanation for a $20,000 marker at a casino that was just recently paid.
Since being traded to the Cowboys, Jones has tried to surround himself with a better support group. He's befriended former Cowboys Michael Irvin and Deion Sanders. Jones also has become friends with several of his new teammates, including Tank Johnson, whom the Cowboys helped return from a similar suspension last season.
"The important thing is getting him here and getting him acclimated," Johnson said. "I have told him you are a good kid, we know you and we're looking forward to having you on the team and we're excited about you proving everybody wrong."
Jerry Jones said Adam Jones has avoided being a distraction at training camp thus far.
"We're just doing everything we can do to have an uneventful training camp relative to Adam, and he's doing his part," Jerry Jones said. "He's working his tail off, he's making it that way."
The Cowboys could use another good cornerback, but they're not hanging their hopes on Jones, having spent a first-round pick on Michael Jenkins. Jenkins and fellow first-rounder Felix Jones also can handle kick returns if Jones isn't around -- or even if he is.
"If [Pacman] can come out and help us here, great," said linebacker Bradie James, the defensive captain last season. "But if he doesn't, we've got enough guys to make it happen."
ESPN.com senior NFL writer John Clayton contributed to this. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
