Tennessean: Blinders on (Dallas) loyalty come off

[LittleBoyBlue]

Blah, blah, blah.

Whine, whine, whine.

I'm not Adam Jones fan but there is no way, ever, that a single player who I don't care for is going to 'force' me to not follow my Cowboys anymore. Anyone who can quit following them over one player wasn't a fan to begin with.

I wonder how hard it was for him to remain a fan when Irvin and Newton were getting in all kinds of legal trouble.

Oh, yeah, I forgot. He probably over looked those facts cause the Cowboys had just come off Superbowl victories.

I dont believe this nonsense when I hear it from any fans.

Dallas wins the next SB... where is this guy? whats his stance? I bet you he gets over it.... some way... somehow

 

[DallasCowpoke]

But in reality, there was little hesitation in biddingat least a temporary farewell to my club of choice. Pacman's six arrests, 12 incidents regarding police intervention and ongoing NFL suspension made it impossible to support any team that employed him.

Cut to the end of Jan, 09, and Dallas is headed to the SB. You'll be reading this headline from this dude.

"Heyyyyyyy!!! Who stole my seat on the Bandwagon!?"

 

[Little Jr]

so the Cowboys can go on to win an untainted Superbowl. .

Some could argue and do that we already have 3 of them.

 

[skinsscalper]

Maybe I'm viewing this thing with Silver & Blue glasses.

I understand that the knee-jerk reaction of most of us when we add a player of Pac-man's "character" is that it feels like the team is saying character doesn't matter, hence this "fan's" departure.

But when you stop and think about it since the player is already on "probation" and will be suspended for future character screw-ups there is actually little chance that the guy will have another significant character screw-up and remain a Dallas Cowboy. From that perspective Dallas is simply saying we don't hold the past against you but if you screw up while on our team you will be gone.

Said another way, its one thing to harbor a character screw-up without enforcing any consequences (Tennessee?), but perhaps its a bit different when you stand ready to drop the guy if he has an incident while a member of your team (Dallas?).

Admittedly, its the league forcing that position on the Cowboys.

There are many (and rightfully so) who stand ready to forgive those who confess and repent of their sins. In this case Jerry is just making his move before most are convinced the repentance is real. We shall see.

To boot, Dallas, probably moreso than most teams will no doubt actively engage with Pacman to try to keep him on the straight and narrow. For self-serving reasons? Well at minimum the by-product is. Nevertheless Pacman may stand a better chance at rehabilitation as a member of the Cowboys than if he simply remained banned from the league with no immediate incentive to clean up his act.

I know no one will actually credit Dallas for helping this wayward citizen but its ironic that the org is being criticized for not making character count when in fact signing him up actually will require Pacman to do just that.

The Cowboys AND the NFL. But, you do make a point. It's not likely that Pacman would change his ways with nothing to lose. He now has a lot to lose and an organization that is willing to work with him and have a vested interest in his personal turnaround.

People act like Dallas signed Jones and then gave him an honorary membership to the "strip club discount group". They actually do want this guy to turn his life around whether it's a self interest motive or not. The Dallas Cowboys are going to end up being the catalyst that helps this guy turn his life around (if that indeed happens). They won't get a lick of credit, but the bulk of work to turn this guy around is going to happen at Valley Ranch.

 

[gimmesix]

I don't always agree with every decision my team makes, but it's still my team.

Anyone who quits on his team because of one questionable decision or even several of them isn't much of a fan. In fact, they don't need to try to be a fan of any team because there will always be questionable decisions/behavior.

 

[Rockytop6]

Amazing that even after they got what they wanted by trading him away, they still can't stop talking and focusing on him!

This is the 'Owens in Philadelphia' situation all over again.

A vilified player leaves his former team and comes to Dallas.

Tha team's fanbase is obsessed with him 'blowing up' and ruining the Cowboys.

And like the Eagles' fans, their worst fears are having the player become a Cowboy and do well.

And also like the Eagles' fans, I think Tennessee's worst fears will be realized.

And they'll look like even bigger fools that they did before.

I'm not going to criticize the Titans for the stand they took. They have a right to do so. If PM turns out like the most of us hope (pro bowl type of performance and not trouble) they will get their 4th and 6th rd picks.

If PM does turns out bad (more trouble and banned for life) then TN will look great to some. While I didn't agree with Jerry on his decision to trade for PM, I'm not denouncing the team nor criticizing anybody who does. My loyalty isn't to Jerry per se, or to any particular player. I was a fan long before I ever heard the name Jerry Jones or PM.

That being said I support Jerry and I'm loyal to him as the owner/GM of the Cowboys. I support the players on the team because they are Cowboy players.

I don't always agree with the Gov. or actions in my state or in my city but I am still an American and proud of it. It is the best country in the world regardless of its warts. It comes down to choices. I choose to be a proud American while there are many issues that are not addressed by the nation's leaders. I choose to be a Cowboys' fan even when coaches and drafts drive me crazy.

The Tenn. article writer has a right to make the choice to be a fan or not. I do the same. Whether he agrees with me or not is immaterial. We all have choices; even to bash other people for making decisions different from our own.

 

[DallasEast]

Commentary: Blinders on loyalty come off

Commentary by JOHN GLENNON • Staff Writer • May 5, 2008


It's an unfortunate byproduct of sports these days that the longer one remains a fan of any team, the better the odds this question will be asked:

How much is too much?
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In a day and age when police-blotter activity, drug-testing queries and paternity suits seem to capture almost as much attention as actual athletic exploits, should fans feel a need to respond to their own moral compass?

Should supporters blindly continue to cheer a favorite team, regardless of what questionable characters that means backing? Or is there a line that can be crossed, one where the most diehard booster at long last turns his back on school ties or professional colors?

I ask these questions because I recently discovered my own boundary, and it came in the form of the legendary Pacman Jones.

A lifelong fan of the Dallas Cowboys, I have chosen to renounce my favorite team — not a single cheer shall be uttered, not a single high-five offered — as long as Pacman sits on the team's roster.
Trade makes difference

This should have been a difficult decision. My lifelong bond with the Cowboys was forged under mildly challenging childhood circumstances. Growing up in Commanders territory just outside of Washington D.C., I suffered my share of stolen lunch-money, recess tauntings and social stigma for sticking with the stars.

But in reality, there was little hesitation in bidding at least a temporary farewell to my club of choice. Pacman's six arrests, 12 incidents regarding police intervention and ongoing NFL suspension made it impossible to support any team that employed him.

It would have been one thing had the Cowboys drafted Pacman, only to become gradually aware of the monster he was. But it's quite another to trade for — to choose to acquire — a player with a rap sheet.
Not limited to pros

The situation made me wonder how many other fans have come to the end of their sports loyalty rope.

In recent years, the scores of empty seats in Portland's basketball arena suggested that once-rabid fans — the team set an American sports record of 814 straight sellouts — had wearied of the "Jailblazers" many run-ins with the law.

Locally, it's hard to imagine even the most vocal Vols booster hasn't at times wondered what he's supporting, given the football team's penchant for problems. Recently, All-SEC punter Britton Colquitt was arrested in a fifth alcohol-related offense, drawing a five-game suspension and loss of his scholarship.

When do the acts of individuals overpower the desire to support a team? Everyone has a limit. Thanks, Pac, for helping me find mine.

http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080505/SPORTS01/805050333/1027/sports01

Coward.

 

[J-DOG]

Blah, blah, blah.

Whine, whine, whine.

I'm not Adam Jones fan but there is no way, ever, that a single player who I don't care for is going to 'force' me to not follow my Cowboys anymore. Anyone who can quit following them over one player wasn't a fan to begin with.

I wonder how hard it was for him to remain a fan when Irvin and Newton were getting in all kinds of legal trouble.

Oh, yeah, I forgot. He probably over looked those facts cause the Cowboys had just come off Superbowl victories.

Exactly how I feel. I already came to terms with this when TO became a Cowboys wr. I am not comparing TO to Pac-Man but those were 2 players I saw as knuckleheads and would laugh at all the problems they caused thier teams. But ever since TO has been on the team I have noticed how everything he does is blown way out of proportion. ESPN tries to make up controversy involving TO and if I wasn't a die hard Cowboys fan I would probably believe that stuff. But with Pac Man...he was breaking laws and so I know his reputation has been earned.

 

[CrazyCowboy]

quite hating...my goodness

 

[Beast_from_East]

No one wants the Cowboys to win more than I do, but there should be a limit as to what length an organization will go to achieve success. Adam Jones' character is questionable at best, and criminal at worst. I might find other players on the Cowboys objectionable, just as I do some people in life, but personality conflicts aren't the same as demonstrated character flaws. Whether you do or don't understand the mentality I hope that Commissioner Goodell refuses Adam Jones reinstatement and he is never able to wear a Cowboys uniform.

I am just curious why you think Pac should have a lifetime ban? What exactly has Pac done that is so terrible to get a lifetime ban?

Before you answer consider there are players in the NFL Hall Of Fame that are wife beaters, see Warren Moon. There is also a guy in St. Louis that got drunk and killed somebody, see Leonard Little.

I didnt see anybody calling for them to get a lifetime ban, so what exactly did Pac do that is worse then these cases mentioned?

 

[Sandman]

Honestly I rspet his opinion, 5 years ago after the drug debacle period I didn't want anyon who wasn't a solid citizen - but now I could care less about the players, I just root for the team. There is no loyalty in sports now, doesn;t really matter who throws and who catches anymore.

 

[sago1]

Thank God OJ is not a possibility. He killed 2 people despite what jury ruled. Don't want him on the Cowboys. Besides he's a pariah in the real world & I think you'd have a rule revolt within the team with that signing. Believe their some reservations on the Cowboy team re Pacman anyway.

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

I am just curious why you think Pac should have a lifetime ban? What exactly has Pac done that is so terrible to get a lifetime ban?

Before you answer consider there are players in the NFL Hall Of Fame that are wife beaters, see Warren Moon. There is also a guy in St. Louis that got drunk and killed somebody, see Leonard Little.

I didnt see anybody calling for them to get a lifetime ban, so what exactly did Pac do that is worse then these cases mentioned?

I have no prob with giving Pacman a chance to get his stuff together and make better decisions. I just dont think he can... I dont think he will. I hope he proves me and everyone wrong. More importantly for himself.

As far as a lifetime ban. You could make a case for it. How many is it? Six run in's with the police.

See ya.... 1... fool me once..... 2....never fooled again 3,4,5,6=fughedaboudit

 

[adbutcher]

He left this out of his column:




Now, as I walk away from the Dallas Cowboys, I hold my head high. I still have my dignity. My pride. My virginity.

With the booming sounds of Pacman's hip-hop music in the background, I move on, refusing to turn around and look at this little man who took my team from me ... refusing to turn and see the topless dancers sliding up and down the poles. He made it rain alright. I'm raining tears as I get on with my life and move away from this dreadful, dirty, obscene little fellow who happens to run fast.

I can't breathe.

 

[Hostile]

Does someone listen to 3 6 Mafia?

Someone must, but not me, never heard of them.

 

[Tractor1]

I am just curious why you think Pac should have a lifetime ban? What exactly has Pac done that is so terrible to get a lifetime ban?

"On April 10, 2007 the NFL announced that Jones would be suspended for the entire 2007 season, a suspension not assessed a player in 44 years (for reasons other than substance abuse) since Paul Hornung and Alex Karras were each suspended for one season for gambling. This suspension also stated that Jones will not receive pay during this suspension and that it is subject to additional review after the tenth regular season game, pending disposition of pending charges. His suspension also comes with a stern warning that future misconduct may result in the end of his career with the NFL." Wikipedia

I believe his demonstrated character warrants the termination of his opportunity to play in the NFL. It's been said that past behavior is the best indicator of future behavior. I agree, and expect that Adam Jones' next incident will lead to his permanent ban from the NFL, which will set an invaluable precedent.

 

[TheCount]

AND ANOTHER THING!

The title of the article makes absolutely no freaking sense.

 

[Randy White]

Commentary: Blinders on loyalty come off

Commentary by JOHN GLENNON • Staff Writer • May 5, 2008


Everyone has a limit. Thanks, Pac, for helping me find mine.

http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080505/SPORTS01/805050333/1027/sports01

I really don't care what teams this guy roots for, even if came back to the Cowboys. However, what I do find interesting is that he's giving power to the person who's antics he objects the most.

The last thing I'd want to do is give someone I dislike the power to make decisions for me.