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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted at 12:49 a.m., Wednesday, March 26, 2008

NFL: Pacman vows to change; are Cowboys listening?

By Calvin Watkins
The Dallas Morning News

ARLINGTON, Texas — Adam "Pacman" Jones spent part of yesterday just a few football fields away from where the new Cowboys stadium is under construction.

Jones, the Tennessee Titans cornerback under suspension since April 2007 for violating the NFL conduct policy, was in full reconstruction mode, trying to repair an image damaged by numerous off-the-field issues.

In a risky, yet desperate move, Jones talked for three hours on the Michael Irvin radio show.

Jones said he must change his ways and would be lucky to get a second chance to play in the NFL.

"Man, I'm at the end of the cliff, and if I slip off, I fall off," Jones said.

With television cameras filming every move, Jones sat next to Irvin, along with his agent Manny Arora and radio co-host Kevin Kiley. During the interview, Jones sounded contrite and vowed to change.

Jones talked about numerous subjects, including his father getting killed when Jones was 7 1/2, his grandmother dying of lung cancer and lying to NFL commissioner Goodell about staying out of strip clubs.

Since he was drafted in the first round of the 2005 draft, Jones has been arrested six times.

Jones, 24, has encountered some of his problems at strip clubs. He said it's not a sin to go to one.

"I believe it is a sin; it's just not against the law," Irvin told Jones. "If not, I'm going to call God on it."

Jones said he plans to stay away from strip clubs and takes responsibility for any problems he may have caused.

"I'm bettering myself, and I'm hopeful I can get a second chance," he said. "It's a privilege (to play in the NFL), and it can be taken away from you. Don't take it for a joke."

Later, however, Jones seemed to contradict himself when he said he wouldn't go to a strip club for a couple of years. Irvin wanted to know why Jones couldn't say never. "You never say never," Jones said.

Jones is hoping one man took notice of his commitment to change: Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones.

According to multiple sources, the Cowboys have had preliminary talks with the Titans regarding a potential trade for Jones.

When asked if he sent a positive message to the Cowboys owner, Jones said, "Hopefully, I did."

Following the interview, Jones was scheduled for his white stretch limousine to take him for a visit with former Cowboys cornerback Deion Sanders.

Sanders said Jerry and Stephen Jones asked him what type of person Pacman Jones is away from the field.

"A great kid, I love him," Sanders said. "I know him away from the game, what makes him think and everything. He's a great kid. Jerry is a man of second and third chances dating way back."

Sanders said he endorses the Cowboys making a deal for the cornerback because of what the Jones family will do for Pacman on and off the field.

Before heading to Sanders' house, Jones said if the Titans broker a deal, his desire is to play for the Cowboys.

"For several reasons, it's America's Team, and I love the city of Dallas," Jones said. "There's nowhere else I want to play right now."

Goodell said he would review Jones' case right before training camps start in late July. Jones and Arora would like a decision sooner. The Titans are allowed to trade Jones while he is under suspension.

Arora wouldn't say if the Titans have given him permission to seek a trade.

"It doesn't matter, they can work out a trade with other teams," Arora said. "I can go anywhere and get a great contract done. But if Tennessee and that team doesn't agree to a trade, then what's the point. So Tennessee will let us know when they're ready, and then we'll do it."