Negotiations finally pick up for ‘Pacman’

“This was something we could work with, something we would’ve hoped we would’ve had a long time ago,” Reese said. “It’s not where we want it to be, but it’s not completely off the wall, so we can work with it.”

Agent Michael Huyghue sent over an offer for the cornerback, and Reese said he responded with a counter proposal just before the Titans’ afternoon practice. Jones, the sixth pick overall and the first defensive player taken in the draft, now has missed seven days and 11 total practices.

Huyghue said part of the delay has been because of the uncertainty of the market with the collective bargaining agreement not being extended. Deals made this year cannot be spread out past a fifth year.

“Everybody wants to do their best to get the right deal and a fair deal …,” Huyghue said. “This year is certainly unique in that regard.”

Both sides have agreed on a five-year deal, and Reese said he would be happy to work through the night depending on Huyghue’s response. But he doubted they would be able to conclude a deal quick enough to have Jones in camp Friday.

Agreeing on money could be the easiest part of this contract because the Titans want to include language protecting them from any legal problems Jones incurs off the field. He was arrested July 13 after a nightclub incident.

Reese said they had not gotten as far as discussing such language.

“Once we get the numbers and get the structure the way we want it, then it’ll be a matter Steve Underwood (Titans general counsel) will throw the language in it. And I’m sure that’ll open a brand new can of worms, but at least this is a good starting point,” Reese said.

Unless negotiations are concluded by Aug. 11, then Jones’ first appearance in Nashville could be in Davidson County General Sessions Court that day on a felony vandalism charge and two misdemeanor counts of assault.

A nightclub manager pressed the charges after an incident during a private party in which Jones had rented out the club following a Destiny’s Child concert. Manager Robert Gaddy’s attorney issued a lengthy statement Wednesday afternoon detailing the incident and said he wouldn’t drop the charges because Jones refused to apologize and reimburse him for damages.

“We were intending to apologize, and Adam was going to pay,” Huyghue said Thursday. “We sit down to talk, and they show us a lengthy press release and say, “Give us $250,000 or we’re going to release the statement.”

Gaddy’s attorney Whitney Kemper denied that statement and said Huyghue was “absolutely wrong.”

“There never was an ultimatum,” he said.

Asked if $250,000 was mentioned, Kemper said he had some talks with Jones’ attorney Roger May that were confidential and that he had been asked to come to a meeting to discuss a resolution.

Huyghue said he was upset that the entire incident had been portrayed as an attempt by Gaddy to “teach Jones a lesson.”

“When you present a request for $250,000, it’s about money,” Huyghue said.