Troy Aikman Calls 'Adam' Pacman Jones' Re-Reinstatement 'an Absolute Mistake'

A week ago, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell decided to re-reinstate "Adam" Pacman Jones after a 30-day stint in a Boston-area rehab facility. Jones won't be allowed back on the field until Dec. 7, when the Cowboys travel to Pittsburgh.

He returned to practice yesterday and, assuming Jones can somehow avoid trouble for the next 13 days, he'll be available for Dallas' December playoff push.

Former Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman (and the lucky devil who gets to spend 17 days a year watching football with Joe Buck) isn't impressed. In fact, he thinks bringing Jones back is "an absolute mistake." Via the Dallas Morning News' Barry Horn:

"I don't know why they are bringing him back," said Aikman ... "I just think that is an absolute mistake. The players won't say it ...I sense players don't want him back...On the field he didn't help them in the return game, which is really where he was supposed to help them, and teams targeted him in pass defense.

He was confused out there on the field. So there really isn't anything he did as a player that warranted another chance by the organization or at least maybe taking another risk on him. Who knows maybe he comes back and helps this team. I just don't see it."

It's worth noting that Aikman played with Michael Irvin and Leon Lett, two dudes with plenty off-field issues. That said, Aikman has previously pointed out that Irvin, Lett et al were never an problem in the locker room despite their po-po-related activities.

As to what Jones brings to the game, opinions are mixed. Football Outsiders thinks that he's the team's best cornerback, while ESPN writes that the Cowboys are better off without Mr. Pacman. Anecdotally, I suspect he's somewhere between the two extremes, although I take Aikman's point: Jones isn't worth the trouble.

But owner Jerry Jones has a soft spot for troubled players, particularly those who could help the Cowboys to the playoffs. And, hell, who knows, maybe even win a game once they get there.