Adam Jones is a name that is heard quite frequently around the city of Cleveland these days. Perhaps Jones will be playing along the shores of Lake Erie in the next few days.
There is one catch, it may be the Adam Jones you are thinking off. It’s not the one who plays baseball. It’s the one who is currently an NFL free agent.
According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the Cleveland Browns will workout Adam ‘Pacman’ Jones on Friday.
Browns are trying out Bengals’ free-agent CB Adam Jones on Friday, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 26, 2018
With training camps opening, the veteran cornerback and kick returner could be looking at one last chance to play in the National Football League. He recently posted a workout video on his twitter account on his attempt to return to the league.
https://twitter.com/REALPACMAN24/status/1021481726189727745
So why would Browns general manager John Dorsey consider adding the 34-year old Jones? Well he has experience as a punt and kick returner. Cleveland could use a returner because last year’s kick returner Jabrill Peppers is injured.
“Jabrill Peppers has a little groin sprain, and will probably start off on the PUP,” head coach Hue Jackson said at Wednesday’s training camp preview press conference.
Jones is familiar with Jackson. The two were with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2015 before Jackson left to take the Browns head coaching job.
Bringing in Jones for a workout is certainly a change in philosophy from previous management inside the Berea team facility. Dorsey is not afraid to look at players who have a history of baggage if they can play football at the highest level.
The Browns have talked about former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant as a veteran who could replace Josh Gordon. While in Kansas City, Dorsey rolled the dice and drafted Tyreek Hill despite his troubles in college. That moved has worked out quite well for the Chiefs.
Jones can also serve as a veteran mentor for number four overall pick, cornerback Denzel Ward. Let’s just hope it’s only about learning the NFL game and nothing else.
Scott Piker is the Managing Editor for Full Press Coverage Browns.