Former Bengals CB Adam Jones Works Out for Browns
By Jack Lane
After eight years with the Bengals, Adam Jones is now an unrestricted free agent. He hopes to land with the Browns after his workout on Friday.
On Friday, former Bengals cornerback Adam Jones tried out for the Cleveland Browns. An 11-year NFL player, Jones is clearly a seasoned veteran who would give the Browns some elder leadership. A young team with potential stars like Myles Garrett, Baker Mayfield, and Jabrill Peppers, the Browns need a player who has been around for a while like Jones. Cleveland GM John Dorsey has made it clear that the team is looking for veteran help, specifically at wide receiver and cornerback. Along the same lines, the Browns brought in Dez Bryant for a workout as well.
If the Browns sign Jones, he has a legitimate chance to make the roster. Aside from the veteran experience, Jones has enough left in the tank to contribute on the field for Cleveland. The Browns are notably weak at cornerback – aside from 4th overall pick Denzel Ward, they have EJ Gaines and not much else. Ward, although he’s very talented, is still a rookie, and could use some mentoring. Jones would fit in very well on the Browns as a rotation corner and a sort of “player-coach.”
Jones has spent the last 8 years with the Bengals and resurrected his career. A former sixth overall pick, he was out of the league in 2009 before the Bengals signed him. He gradually grew on the team before becoming a First Team All-Pro in 2014. Jones only played nine games last season, though, and his play substantially dropped off. The Bengals released him prior to this season and saved $4 million against the cap.
Jones was also involved in an offseason incident in which he fought with an Atlanta airport worker. Although Jones struck the worker in the face, the police did not file any charges against Jones. He did not instigate the incident. If Jones latches on with Cleveland or another team, the league will not suspend him. Jones gave the Bengals 8 great years, so it would be nice to see him land with another team this year.