Well, I suppose I should be used to this. The Bengals didn’t listen when I wanted Samari Rolle instead of Artrell Hawkins back in 1998. They didn’t lesson when I thought Willie Anderson had another year left a few seasons ago. And they didn’t listen last year when I didn’t want Andre Smith in the first round (sorry big fella).
So I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that Pac Man Jones is about to sign with the Bengals, just days after that I wrote that the team didn’t need him. Geoff Hobson spoke with Jones’ agent, Worrick Robinson, earlier today and Robinson said that a deal is expected soon, perhaps by the end of the week. Jones was apparently in Cincinnati today for a workout that went rather well.
“Adam had an excellent workout today and a meaningful visit (with) Coach (Marvin) Lewis and others,” Robinson told Hobson. ” We are staying in contact with the Bengals’ front office to discuss any offer afforded. Any opportunity in Cincinnati would be a great fit for Adam, given the outstanding reputation of the team, coaches and the fans and the style of defense played.”
Sure, Jones will come cheaply and yes, this might be his last chance, but I’m still a little uncomfortable about the whole thing. The Bengals have already added Matt Jones, who got arrested for possessing a controlled substance, to a clubhouse that has had issues with alcohol arrests. Next up is apparently Pac Man, who has a noted fondness for “scrip clubs.”
The only thing making me feel a little better about Mr. Jones is defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, who has never met a player he was afraid to yell at.
“We’ve got a bunch of strong character guys on defense,” Zimmer told Hobson. “I’m not going to let this
kid screw up our chemistry. I don’t think he will. He looked me in the eye and shook my hand and said, ‘Coach, I just want to play.’ He seems very humble. He seems to understand.”
If the team is truly going for broke – and it sure seems like that is the operating procedure – they should really go for it. They might as sign Gibril Wilson too. Wilson was also in the Queen City for a visit today, according to Joe Reedy. Wilson had 92 tackles and 8 passes defensed for the Dolphins last season. He’d be a nice insurance policy/compliment to Roy Williams and Chris Crocker.
So with the apparent signing of oft-troubled Pac Man Jones, it seems pretty obvious that the Bengals are going “all in.” They might as well add a few more chips.