Pacman Jones: Less Of A Risk Than You Might Assume

We have all seen how talented Adam 'Pacman' Jones is on the field.

We have also seen the troubles Jones has had off the field.

The Dallas Cowboys continue to show interest in trading for Jones and the debate continues to wage over whether or not Pacman Jones is too large of a risk for any team to take on.

Jones is obviously a risk. To say that his off-the-field behavior is unpredictable is an understatement.

Jones' off-the-field arrests have led to an indefinite suspension by the NFL under the league's personal conduct policy.

No one knows whether commissioner Roger Goodell will reinstate Jones when he reviews his case sometime in July.

If Jones is reinstated, we don't know how long he will last before violating the NFL's personal conduct policy again, if in fact he does violate the policy again.

On the surface, it appears that trading for Pacman Jones is just too large of a risk.

But, we are forgetting a few NFL contract stipulations that make the acquisition of Jones a lot less risky than one might assume.

First, Jones is set to receive $1.29 million as a base salary from the Titans this season. Without question the Cowboys can renegotiate Jone's contract to a much lesser amount. The Cowboys hold all the cards in any contract negotiations with Jones and his agent as the Cowboys might be Jones' only chance to get back on the field in the near future.

Second, and most importantly, unlike other professional sports, NFL contracts are not guaranteed. Once a player has signed a contract and given whatever signing bonus has accompanied that contract, they are at the complete mercy of the team from that moment forward. A team can renegotiate a contract or cut a player at any point.

So if the Cowboys trade for Jones, renegotiate his contract to an amount of, say, $1 million per year, they are not obligated to see that contract through.

If Jones is reinstated and enters training camp completely out of shape or his off-the-field troubles continue, the Cowboys can cut him at any moment, thus terminating his contract.

NFL contracts are far different than MLB or NBA contracts. The only money that is guaranteed to a player is the money he receives in a signing bonus. Jones will obviously be in no position to negotiate a large signing bonus.

So, the only risk that the Cowboys will really be taking by trading for Jones is whatever they give up in the trade, most likely a very late round draft pick. Everything else associated with Jones such as his contract and his spot on the team, is not guaranteed under the terms of an NFL contract.

Jones will be at the complete mercy of the Cowboys. He either performs on the field and stays out of trouble off the field, otherwise he is gone, along with his probable $1 million contract.

When you really look at the situation, acquiring a player with the ability and potential of Jones, with limited risk, is a very attractive option for any team, including the Cowboys.