You might think that Bengals cornerback Adam Jones' recent arrest -- he turned himself in last week after an incident at a Cincinnati bar -- would keep him from talking to incoming NFL rookies about what to do and what not to do in the NFL. You would be wrong.
Devin Jones, despite that arrest and the subsequent bad publicity that came with security footage, will still speak at the NFL's Rookie Symposium in late June.
"You are not going to trick an athlete. They know when it is dressed up and not real,” NFL VP of Player Engagement Troy Vincent told Joe Reedy of the Cincinnati Enquirer. “When you can sit among your peers and just talk about your life, someone is learning from that. They can look at him and see themselves from the way they look to where they have originated.”
Vincent believes the talks are well received and that rookies can actually relate to Jones' struggles. Not so much that they can relate to the stories; it's just that what Jones says resonates as a legit struggle with the league's youngsters.
“We really want to focus on balance. We've had to experience and endure our trials and tribulations, but it is power when you talk about it,” Vincent said. “It's all about giving players the best chance to succeed and giving them the tools."
There might be qualms with having Pacman step up to the podium following a recent run-in with the law. But at the same time, he hasn't been proven guilty in any court of law and still has a valuable message to provide. Perhaps one that's more timely than ever.
Devin Hester was drafted into the league as a defensive back but the Bearsknew his real worth was as a returner. He's proven that countless times during his seven seasons, and he currently holds the NFL record for most all-time return touchdowns (both kicks and punts).
Hester also lines up at wide receiver, where he caught a personal-best 57 passes in 2009. In the three seasons since, however, his receptions have declined, from 40 to 26 to 23, and his 10.5 yards-per-catch average in 2012 was the lowest of his career. And now, under second-year general manager Phil Emery and new coach Marc Trestman, Hester's place on the Bears' final roster may not be assured.
Forget wide receiver,Hester is working to hold onto a spot as a returner.
"Trestman said as much earlier this offseason and observing the rotations during minicamp, with Earl Bennett among others fielding kicks," Mullin wrote Sunday. "Trestman again used the word 'competing' to describe Hester's situation as the Bears' primary returner.
"With the Bears tight against the salary cap, Hester's 2013 base of $1.85 million is potentially a factor, as is his age (31 in November), if he does not establish a level of dominance approaching what he had before working into the offense as a receiver."
Currently, Hester is listed as the Bears' No. 4 wide receiver behind Brandon Marshall, Bennett and second-year player Alshon Jeffery. If the two sides end up parting ways in the coming weeks or months, Hester won't be out of work long. Competent return specialists -- even those in their early 30s -- are hard to come by. Teams will line up to sign him although at something less than what the Bears were set to pay him this season.
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