FanHouse WillieAndrews

When commissioner Roger Goodell conditionally reinstated Adam Dig Dug Jones last month, it was the first step of many for the former Titans first-round pick, who's trying to make it in the NFL after serving a one-year suspension for various off-field incidents.

Jones successfully navigated his way through OTAs, and even got some first-team reps at cornerback, but the most difficult part of the NFL calendar could be the three weeks of down time between the end of mandatory offseason workouts and the start of training camp later this month. So far, so good.

The Fort Worth Star-Telegram's Clarence Hill writes that while Terrell Owens and Tank Johnson are taking advantage of the short vacation, Jones is doing his best to avoid the social scene. "[Jones] has remained in Dallas. He was spotted in the equipment room Tuesday and exchanged pleasantries with a reporter on his way to the locker room."

Owner Jerry Jones ... acknowledges there are no guarantees. But he said he likes what he has seen from Adam Jones so far.

"Yes," Jerry Jones said emphatically when asked if Adam Jones has done everything right up to this point. "He is very committed. He is very committed physically and mentally. He is smart. He recognizes his challenge and he is really doing well."

For all the talk that Adam Jones didn't deserve another chance because he'd just screw it up, he sure seems to be embracing the whole "hard-working, law-abiding citizen" role. If he's truly changed, that's great news for the Cowboys, their fans, and, well, everybody but Willie Andrews, who probably played his last NFL game in February.

Willie Andrews will now have all kinds of time to pretend-shoot his fiancé. After being arrested for pointing a gun to the head of the future Ms. Andrews, the Patriots took the totally predictable step of releasing him. Obviously, buying illegal drugs is a much smarter career move. Or being something more than an easily replaceable fringe player.

On Tuesday, Josh Alper made the point that in the NFL, talent is always weighed against criminal activity, and yesterday, the Boston Globe's Bob Ryan wrote an entire column on the subject.

It's hardly surprising to learn that, despite the Al Saunders-playbook-length rap sheet, Dig Dug Jones can get another shot at redemption, but the NFL is all about winning and sometimes criminal activity takes a backseat to talent.

There's nothing new in all this. Seldom does honor trump pragmatism in the world of professional sports. Did I say "professional"? Make that sports, period. The late and truly great Abe Lemons was once asked why he didn't have a curfew for his Oklahoma City University basketball team. " 'Cause you always catch the wrong guys," he explained.

Well, that didn't take very long. Willie Andrews, arrested for pointing a gun at the head of his fiancee over the weekend, was released by the New England Patriots today.

It didn't take Nostradamus to see this move coming. Andrews had already been arrested once this offseason, a marijuana charge, when police were summoned to his apartment on Sunday night. He faces charges of a assault with a dangerous weapon and unlawful possession of a firearm after allegedly placing the gun on his girlfriend's temple because he thought she was cheating on him.

On the great scale of NFL justice, talent is always weighed against criminal activity. Andrews's importance to the team couldn't overcome the embarrassment he's brought them over the past few months. He'll probably face disciplinary action from the NFL if another team deems him worthy of a chance but I wouldn't hold my breath for the next sighting of Andrews on a Sunday afternoon.

In semi-related news, Andrews's release adds to what's been a hellish offseason for the Boston Herald. The paper lauded Andrews for turning his life around late last month. Time for another retraction.

New England Patriots defensive back Willie Andrews has been arrested and accused of pointing a gun at his fiancee's head.

Andrews' fiancee says he pointed the gun at her after she accused him of cheating on her. She told police she was scared because he "threatened to shoot her in the past." He faces a charge of assault with a dangerous weapon.

This was the second arrest for Andrews this off-season. The day after the Super Bowl, he was arrested for marijuana possession.

Last month the Boston Herald ran a puff piece about Andrews, talking about how he had put all his problems behind him. Now he likely has put his NFL career behind him; it will be a big surprise if New England doesn't release him.

Via PFT.