Silver and BlueBlood

Cocaine Cowboy?

Former Arkansas Razorback quarterback-turned -NFL receiver Matt Jones has officially been released from the Jacksonville Jaguars. The troubled young man has had more than his share of run-ins with the law, all stemming from drug abuse. He was recently released from jail, having earned a stint there by testing positive for alcohol during a blood test, mandated by the terms of his probation.

Jones (Matt, not Jerry) is a bona fide talent. In the 2005 combine, he turned in a dazzling performance in the 40 yard dash. He caught 65 passes for 761 yards in 12 games last year. That was his best performance as a pro. He is 6′6, lightening fast, has a magnificent pair of hands…and tons of potential.

He also has a propensity for self-destruction. Anyone taking a serious look at him will have to do so with the understanding that he may or may not be able to get his act together. Thing is, with his troubles, he is likely to be a bargain basement deal. But, as we have learned more than once around Big D, cheap doesn’t always mean a good deal.

I expect Jerry Jones to take a long, hard look at Matt for these reasons:

• He was reportedly “giddy” about Jones’ performance at the combine in 2005 (see Todd Archer’s blog, Dallasnews.com)
• He has a soft spot for Hogs
• He especially has a soft spot for Hogs named Jones (and just look how nicely Felix was working out before that whole injury thing.)
• He is Jerry Jones, former wildcatter, riverboat gambler

If the Cowboys can snag the wide receiver for a one-year deal at the league minimum, it may be a reclamation project worth the risk.

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After knee-jerking about Jerry Jones’ signing of the threepeat offender, Gerald Sensabaugh the other day, let me give a little balance by commending the oft-maligned GM for signing Sensabaugh to a sensible contract. Clarence Hill, writer for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, reports that the former Jacksonville Jaguars safety has signed a one-year, $1.75 million deal.

I like the deal because it puts the onus on the player to earn his way. Rather than pre-rewarding him for work yet completed, ala the Washington Redskins and Albert Haynesworth, Jerry is saying, “Alright, come in here and excel, keep your nose clean, and earn the contract you really want.”

Actually, Jerry’s off-season moves to date have made sense, and seem to have taken the pressure off of filling dire needs with draft picks. He hasn’t thrown silly money around and he has filled holes on the defensive side of the ball. The final two weeks of the 2008 season revealed just how far from whole that unit was.

So, kudos to Jerry the GM. Maybe with Stephen Jones on one elbow and Dan Reeves on the other, the former wildcatter will find a healthy balance between risk and caution. And just maybe, the cautious risks will render playoff rewards.

We can hope!

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