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The Tennessee Titans are one NFL organization that doesn't like to play games whatsoever. From a veteran coach in Jeff Fisher, who has been on this team since it was named the Houston Oilers, to assiduous players such as Steve McNair, Keith Bullock, and Drew Bennett, the Titans have become one of the league's best franchises [despite having a woeful season last year] by not having time for games, or anything related to it.
PAC-MAN PROBLEMS
Now, since the middle of April, the Titans are fully wrapped in an annoying and frustrating NFL version of the famous "PAC-MAN" video game. This time, though, it is the first [and possibly only] "rated M' version of it. Because Adam "Pacman" Jones's ongoing training camp saga is one of the more compelling stories on the gridiron this summer.
The Titans knew what they were getting in Jones, both his talent and his attitude. Though he played at a blue-collar school at West Virginia, Jones was so talented that he could have been one of the best athletes even at USC or the Florida schools. Instead, he chose to do his thing in Morgentown and shut down any receiver he encountered, including Larry Fitzergald, who seemed to be catching anything in the stadium when he was at Pittsburgh. And even if he had a few problems off the field, his first round ability saved himself from any scolding Rich Rodriguez, one of college footballs' best young coaches, could have given him.
Now, those days were he could still be a team leader and malcontent at the same time is over. But don't tell that to Jones, who is causing himself and his future teammates headaches with not only his holdout but his overall personality.
From mini camp on, Jones has alienated his teammates with his lack of maturity and narcissistic personality, resulting in him violating the cardinal sin of rookies. "Never make your teammates your deepest enemies." His vastly more experienced fellow Titans predicted that Jones would probably get into trouble before training camp.
And guess what.
In July, Jones was packed with felony and assault charges at a nightclub with friends in Nashville. Talk about making people look like geniuses. With that wonderful incident, Jones definitely endured himself to his organization more, didn't he?
Charges put to the side, Jones had his chance to prove to his teammates that he was ready to display why he was the first defensive pick in the draft, and why the decision to move cornerback stalwarts Samari Rolle and Andre Dyson was a wise salary cap move. One month and 16 camp days later, "PAC-MAN' has put himself into a labyrinth that he may not be able to defeat for a good while.
He has gotten into a long distance verbal war with Bullock, questioning the fidelity of Titans' defensive leader. But what did Jones expect, because unlike other holdouts around the league, Jones made himself into a very unlikable person without even completing his first mini-camp. What is so astounding about Jones's comments this week, pertaining to the Pro-Bowl linebacker, is the fact that he admits that Bullock called him at 7 AM in the morning, and yet, the 6 th overall pick admitted that he refused to pick up the phone. If the hole wasn't deep enough, it's almost at abyss status right now for Jones.
Instead, Jones is making sure his contract is the best it could be for him in the long run, and by doing that, creating more enmity for himself when, or if, he ever comes to camp, or this team. Both Bullock and Albert Haynesworth, the Titans thick defensive tackle, could have been more private about their feelings to the media about Jones holdout instead of putting the rookie on a feeding platter. But for the "PAC-MAN" to slam his teammates right back [individually mind you], shows how big a road to maturity he'll have to climb, let along a road to trust and respect from his teammates.
Until then, the games being played between the organization and its most coveted and controversial rookie aren't games at all. But with the way Adam Jones has been doing his business and the nickname he has, this "PAC-MAN" will be chopping up pellets of humbleness and respect before interceptions and yards returned.
And if he doesn't, wanka, wanka, wanka, wanka, GAME OVER.
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