Cowboys release troubled CB Adam 'Pacman' Jones

IRVING, Texas -- Adam "Pacman" Jones' attorney doesn't think the troubled cornerback will be unemployed for long.

The Dallas Cowboys said Wednesday they are done with Jones, releasing him after a 2008 season marred by disappointing play and a six-game suspension for an off-field scuffle.

But Jones likely will be back with another NFL team next season, said Worrick Robinson, Jones' Nashville-based attorney.

"He is young. He has a lot of ability and he is eager to get back on the field," Robinson said.

Jones was expected to give the Cowboys a shut-down cornerback on defense and a touchdown threat on special teams. Instead, he had no interceptions and averaged just 4.5 yards per punt return.

His release will become official Feb. 9, the first day NFL teams can make waiver requests.

"He was surprised, and I think he was obviously somewhat hurt," Robinson said. "At the same time, he understands the business behind what is happening here. He doesn't have anything negative to say about Dallas or the team or the fans."

Cowboys spokesman Rich Dalrymple declined to comment on the team's decision and said owner Jerry Jones was unavailable. Coach Wade Phillips did not return a message left by The Associated Press.

Before coming to Dallas, Jones was arrested six times and involved in 12 instances requiring police intervention after Tennessee drafted him in the first round in 2005.

The Cowboys traded for him anyway, despite the cornerback's suspension for the 2007 season for violating the league's personal conduct policy. Jones was given another chance and cleared to play in 2008 by commissioner Roger Goodell.

But on Oct. 7, Jones got into a scuffle with a bodyguard who was part of a team-employed security detail. Goodell suspended the cornerback for six weeks. Jones missed a seventh game later in the season with an injury.

The 25-year-old Jones spent part of his time away from football taking part in an alcohol rehabilitation program.

"He was a young man who needed the opportunity to be in treatment, and he got the treatment he needed," Robinson said. "He came out of there a better person and a healthier person because of that."

Robinson said he did not think Jones' suspension was a factor in the Cowboys' decision to release the cornerback.

"We don't have any reason to believe at this point that that off-the-field incident had anything to do with the team's decision today," Robinson said. "I know there was certainly a lot of bad that came out of that situation, but there was some good that came out of that situation as well."

Jones had 31 tackles, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. On special teams, he averaged 22.1 yards on seven kick returns. The yearlong ban in 2007 and six-week suspension in 2008 contributed to Jones playing below expectations, Robinson said.

"Being off a year is certainly going to affect most every athlete," Robinson said. "I think he made good strides through training camp and through the first few games, and then I think his six-game suspension did knock him back a little bit."

Tennessee received a fourth-round draft pick in the April trade. The Titans were also supposed to get a sixth-rounder next year, but because Jones was suspended again, Dallas will instead receive a fifth-round pick in 2009.

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