OXNARD, Calif. - His coaches and teammates expected it.
But cornerback Adam Jones said he was "very surprised" to show so much rust in his first football game since the 2006 season.
Jones, playing mostly with the second-team defense in Saturday night's 31-17 loss to the Chargers, missed two tackles, gave up a 21-yard reception and had a pass interference penalty that led to a touchdown.
But Jones promises to show improvement this week in Denver, where the Cowboys will practice for three days leading up to the game.
Jones spoke with reporters after Monday's practice, discussing his disappointment of the Chargers' game, along with other various topics.
So how do you assess your performance in San Diego?
Adam Jones
: Oh, it wasn't very good at all. But the more I get there in the preseason games, the more comfortable I'm going to be. I can tell you this, I'll be a whole lot more comfortable this week, than I was in last week's game. My first game, getting back there, trying to calm myself down, I had a lot of emotions mentally going on. But there're no excuses. I love to play this game. This is what I love to do. But I'll be a whole lot better this week in Denver. I'm looking forward to it.
Were you nervous before the Chargers game?
Adam Jones:
Oh yeah, of course I was. I hadn't been out there in a whole year. If anyone tells you they're not, they're lying. But if I could've played a little more plays, I think I would've been a little more comfortable. But like I said, it's preseason. I enjoyed myself and I'll keep practicing hard. But it'll pick up.
Are you hoping you can get a few punt returns this week?
Adam Jones:
I'm hoping to get one or two. I'm anxious to get back there, just to see how fast my heart will be pounding. But whenever they put me back there, I'll be ready.
Does returning punts and kickoffs help you get into the flow of the game on defense, too?
Adam Jones:
I would say it gets me into the game a lot to get back there, even if I don't break one, just to get me back going. But, it's going to come. The rust isn't going to come off overnight, but I better have it off before the Houston game (Aug. 22).
So you expect a fast heart rate when that first punt is in the air?
Adam Jones:
Oh yeah, it will be pounding, I can tell you that right now. It won't be any problem catching it. But if anyone tells you their heart isn't pounding when they get back there, they must not love this game. I get a thrill out of it. I love pressure. Pressure doesn't do anything but make me perform better.
Are you looking forward to getting out of training camp here and hooking up with the Broncos later this week?
Adam Jones:
Oh yeah, it'll be a whole lot better to go up against someone new in practice and not just the same receivers. When we go up against Denver, I can do my best to almost simulate that as a preseason game, in practice. I can go full blast against them. I can't do that against my teammates.
Do you feel you've personally accomplished what you wanted to here in training camp?
Adam Jones:
Oh yeah. I feel good in practice. For the most part, I just have to get back to that game speed. It's just like anything. If you're bowling, you can go and bowl against your friends. But if you go in the big league with the professionals, and you haven't bowled in a while, you're going to be a little rusty. It'll work it out. I'm not worried about anything.
The coaches have talked about playing more man-to-man coverage this year. What goes into being a good cover cornerback?
Adam Jones
: Confidence, really. I love man. I wouldn't mind playing man every play. I feel like I can switch up things and not just go up there and play press, even though I like press. But whatever they want us to do, I'm here to do it . . . But I've got to start hitting people first.
Did your missed tackles bother you?
Adam Jones:
Yeah, man. That's not me. You see how I'm pursuing to the ball today, though. But one thing about it, I'm probably the biggest critic of myself. That's pathetic for me to be missing tackles like that. I don't care if I've been out of football for two or three years. A tackle is a tackle. But I'll get it together. Hopefully, I won't miss any more.
Although people tell you to be patient, you were disappointed in your game?
Adam Jones:
Forget (patience). I have to do what I do. I didn't come here to be patient. I've already put in too much work. It'll work out though. The first preseason game, I always play bad. If I do that same stuff this week that I did last week, then you guys can throw me under the bus. But I doubt if that's going to happen again. I give you guys permission to blast me if I play like that again.
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