Adam "Pacman" Jones Ready and Waiting by the Phone
by Michael Schottey
Written on April 27, 2010
PHILADELPHIA - DECEMBER 28: Adam Jones #21 of the Dallas Cowboys runs the ball against the Philadelphia Eagles on December 28, 2008 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [img_r]http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/images/photos/000/944/681/84155641.jpg.15726_cropped.jpg?1272412291[/img_r]
Duke Rousse has been working with Adam "Pacman" Jones since Januarytwo-a-day training sessions working on speed, agility, quickness, and position specific drills working on ball skills, fluidity, and coverage.
"The Duke's Academy," in Kenner, Louisiana, is no fool's school.
Rousse is also currently training Dez Bryant, Craig Steltz, Ryan Clark, and Darren Sharper. The fastest of that bunch, according to Rousse, is Jones. Rousse says he's running in the low 4.4s/high 4.3s.
Jones isn't just adding speed. He's also been adding muscle. In January, he showed up to the training facility weighing 160 lbs. Today, Jones tipped the scales at 185 lbs.
As for the much-publicized personal problems? Rousse says that Jones has matured at age 26. He has a fiancee, and they are expecting their first child. Jones has also found religion and is a regular at church every Sunday and Wednesday.
When asked point-blank if Jones was ever groggy or "off" in the morning during a workout, Rousse was adamant.
"No, Adam does not go out. He knows what he's working for. If you tell Adam that training starts at 10, he's here at 9:15, he's the first one in, and the last one to leave...If he can stay out of trouble in New Orleans, he can stay out of trouble in Detroit."
It isn't all positive feelings down in 'Nawlins.
Jones is getting tired of waiting and now believes he needs to wait even longer before latching on with a team.
First it was after cuts, then he was told after the draft. Now, some teams are telling him to wait until after the rookie minicamparound June.
"It's so frustrating for me as a trainer," says Rousse. "I mean, you can only train so much and then it's like, what are you training for? I can only push him so hard because I don't want to wear him out before he gets a team."
For a kid who's been training since January, waiting for a phone call since February, these three months have been an eternity.
Besides Detroit, among the teams interested, Rousse pointed out two teams that have publicly closed the book on Jones, Cincinnati and San Francisco, and one surprisethe Green Bay Packers.
"Any team that needs a cornerback, punt returner, or kick returner should be calling Adam," Rousse believes. "He's given 125 percent to me all day long."