Sunday, April 27, 2008

Pacman's a Cowboy: NFL OKs Titans-Dallas deal

The NFL has finally approved the first trade in league history involving a suspended player: Pacman Jones is officially a Dallas Cowboy.

Pacman's a Cowboy: NFL OKs Titans-Dallas deal

Jones

Manny Arora, who represents Jones, confirmed the cornerback has signed a four-year contract that includes a Cowboys option after the third season. Jones was traded to Dallas from the Tennessee Titans for a fourth-round pick (No. 126 overall).

Arora said he and Jones will meet with Cowboys owner Jerry Jones in the near future to develop a strategy for the player to seek reinstatement from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and perhaps attempt to modify the current terms so that he can work out and interact with his new teammates at the Cowboys' Valley Ranch complex. Arora said he anticipates the Cowboys taking the lead role in that process.

"I think for Adam's sake it's a very good first step," Arora told The Associated Press. "We still have to get through the NFL commissioner's office. I think once we do that we can breathe a sigh of relief and get back to playing football."

The contract between the Cowboys and Jones includes no signing bonus or other guaranteed money. While the Cowboys and Arora have declined to reveal specific components of the contract, a source told ESPN that the agreement is incentive-based with roster bonuses that financially encourage Jones to refrain from the behavior that has resulted in six arrests. The source also said Jones will have to play at least three seasons in Dallas before he has an opportunity to become one of the top-paid corners in the league.

"Basically, he's been given all the tools by Dallas to succeed," Arora said. "And now it's really just up to us to make it happen."

Jones forfeited a $1.25 million performance bonus and more than $6 million in guaranteed salaries the Titans would have been obligated to pay so that he might eventually resume his football career.




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