Cornerback depth, cornerback depth, cornerback depth.
Ask any Broncos fan what their biggest concern is with the team after three preseason games, and they will likely tell you “cornerback depth.”
The team took steps towards repairing that hole in their roster today.
The Broncos signed Adam “Pacman” Jones to a one-year deal this afternoon after working out the veteran corner this morning, the team announced.
Jones, now 35, was a Pro Bowler as recently as 2015 and a first-team All-Pro as a returner in 2014. He spent the last eight seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals. He became a free agent in March of this year when the Bengals opted to decline his option for the 2018 season. Broncos head coach Vance Joseph was Jones’ defensive backs coach in Cincinnati from 2014 to 2015, arguably his two best years as a pro.
It’s no secret that “Pacman” comes with some baggage, encountering legal troubles in every chapter of his career. The talented corner and former return specialist was suspended for the entirety of the 2007 NFL season, at one point, he was suspended for 22 out of a possible 28 games for a long, long laundry list of issues with the law.
Jones appeared to get back on track in Cincinnati, avoiding legal trouble for most his time there, but was arrested last year for obstructing official business, disorderly conduct, assault, and a felony charge of harassment with a bodily substance. He eventually accepted a plea agreement, pleading guilty to one count of obstructing a police officer. He spent two days in jail and was suspended one game by the NFL.
In July of this year, he was involved in an altercation at the Atlanta airport that resulted in an airport employee being arrested for assaulting him. No charges were brought against Jones in the incident.
With roster spots all but locked up for four Broncos’ corners already (Chris Harris Jr., Bradley Roby, Tramaine Brock and third-round pick Issac Yiadom), the signing of Jones could a bad sign for 2017 third-round pick Brendan Langley, who has struggled to develop during his time in Denver.
In a corresponding move, the Broncos released undrafted free agent linebacker Bo Bower.
0 Comments (10 conversations)
350legend
I’m not to sure how I feel about this pick up. The good thing I see with this singing is that it gives us at least a year to develop another rising corner ( who ever that be)
Ryan Koenigsberg
AuthorIt also might require the team cut a developmental corner, IE: Langley. But they definitely needed help there. You can’t have Issac Yiadom out there in real games right now.
Attackparrot
Is Langley Practice Squad eligible? Can’t imagine with his performance this preseason that he’d be snatched up quickly.
I agree with the sentiment though…ugh…
Queen City Bronco
4th lowest yards allowed per cover snap over the past two years, per PFF, trailing only Aqib, CHJ and P2.
smitty31
So torn on this signing. Take the name away and look at production and team need and it’s a no-brainer. I hope the team chemistry isn’t effected and the off the field stuff does not get in the way.
ziggity187
But you can’t have a guy that has had as many issues off the field as this guy either. Should’ve just kept Aqib.
Ryan Koenigsberg
AuthorHuge difference in the money there. Most of the decision on Aqib was money related.
Colorado_Gary
The Dale Carter signing set the gold standard for bad Broncos signings of players with off-field problems, although this one is a lot less expensive. I’m pulling for this one to work out much better.
Aquaman
We needed help. But ugh.
lstevenson
Using 35 year old and cornerback in the same sentence doesn’t usually end well. May have been better to wait for cut down day and pick a younger cast off.
PastorRhett
I’m here for this. Adam Jones is a generational athlete so the age isn’t immediately a red flag for me. He still looks like he can be a 3rd or 4th CB.
I also am optimistic that he’s a changed man based on interviews and the fact that he’s kept himself mostly out of trouble for 8 years.
He could be a very big signing for 1 season and I’m now so much higher on our DB room, defense, and team because we have that needed depth at CB now.
Bronco Jimmy
If you can get a player that will strengthen a position for a million bucks then do it. If Elway did nothing people would complain. In a locker room full off captains it’s worth the punt. Talib cost a lot more and commanded more influence,which won’t happen with Pacman on a new team.
Good article, Ryan. Thank you.
MontanaBroncos
Somewhat unrelated, I have enjoyed the 53 podcast chapter you’ve been putting on and have an idea that is not player-related, but more front office. What has changed in the front office that has resulted in 2018’s draft class as compared to some early draft classes that has produced on-the-bubble players like Langley, Lynch, Carlos Henderson?
If there was a change in a corporation that was so evident on the street, like re-branding, or expanding into new product areas, it might indicate a change in upper management, or supervisory structure, or some new person coming in with real leadership skills who immediately has a mark on the company. We’re drafting a different kind of kid now and I’m wondering what’s the back story there among Elway’s team. I’m sure it’s not all Elway. Who is responsible for the sea change? Thoughts?