Stokley ‘shocked’ by Broncos signing cornerback Adam ‘Pacman’ Jones

Aug 28, 2018, 7:52 AM

Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Adam Jones runs with the ball during a kickoff return in the third quarter of the game against the Denver Broncos at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Mark Lyons/Icon Sportswire/Corbis via Getty Images)

(Photo by Mark Lyons/Icon Sportswire/Corbis via Getty Images)

When it came to improving the Denver Broncos on the field, Vance Joseph said Adam “Pacman” Jones was the one guy who “fit the bill.”

Joseph said he and general manager John Elway talk on how to improve the Broncos daily and the two felt more experience at corner and also at punt returner was a “key factor” for Denver.

“He solves two issues as one body. So, we decided to sign Adam Jones,” Joseph said.

The signing Sunday earned accolades from some because of what Jones brings to the table.

A first-round pick by the Tennessee Titans in 2005, Jones earned First-Team All-Pro honors in 2014 as a kick returner and was a Pro Bowl selection at cornerback in 2015.

In 139 regular season games, 102 of which were starts, Jones racked up 494 tackles, three sacks, 16 interceptions (two for touchdowns), 94 passes defensed, seven forced fumbles, and 12 fumble recoveries.

Additionally, Jones has gained more than 5,000 yards returning kickoffs and punts — five for scores.

“That guy can play. He can flat play,” said Mark Schlereth, co-host of “Schlereth and Evans.”

However, Jones’ signing was met with mixed reaction because of off-the-field issues, including a one-year suspension in 2007 for violating the NFL’s player conduct policy and a one-game suspension in 2017 for the same reason.

“I was shocked,” said “Stokley and Zach” co-host Brandon Stokley on Monday about the signing. “I didn’t think he was going to get a job anywhere. I thought he was done.”

Jones addressed the issue in his first meeting with the media on Monday, saying “the past is the past” and his life now is “unbelievable” and “stress-free.”

“It’s always good to go back and visit the past so it doesn’t pop up on you. But you shouldn’t keep beating it and beating it,” Jones said. “You learn from your mistakes and you move on.”

“The Drive” co-host Alfred Williams said only a player of Jones’ caliber would have been afforded as many chances as he’s been given, but if he can abide by a “zero-tolerance policy” everything should work out for him with the Broncos.

“If the guy is going to take this opportunity and just come here and play football and leave all the nonsense alone, then this is a great signing for the Denver Broncos — one of its best signings in the offseason,” Williams said.

Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @JohnnyHart7.