At a time when the likelihood of cornerback Pacman Jones joining the Dallas Cowboys appears to be high, the trade that some believe to be imminent could still take some time to be finalized.

According to Ed Werder of ESPN, the Tennessee Titans want a fourth-round pick in 2008 and another selection in 2009.

The Cowboys, who reportedly have offered a seventh-round pick and a player, won’t yet go that high, primarily because they now realize that they’re the only suitors for Jones’ services.

It’s also likely that the Cowboys had hoped to low-ball the Titans in an effort to get the deal done while Jones is on suspension.  With no guarantee that he’ll be reinstated for the commencement of the 2008 season, the Titans might have been inclined to get what they can and move on. 

But Jones in the end might have no value.  Since his one-year suspension was imposed, he has pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges in Nevada and no contest to a felony count in Georgia.  These actions should prompt fresh discipline, and could provoke Commissioner Roger Goodell to park Pacman for most if not all of the 2008 season. 

So why not work out a deal that compensates the Titans based on the question of whether Jones can play this year?  It would be fair for the Cowboys to give the Titans a low-round pick in 2008 and a 2009 selection determined by Jones’ reinstatement date in 2008, and possibly influenced by his performance — or by the team’s fate.

If, for example, Jones plays in every game and if the Cowboys win the Super Bowl, a second-round pick in 2009 arguably would be fair, and the Cowboys should be more than happy to surrender it. 

We don’t fault the Titans for wanting to be treated fairly.  But it’s impossible to know what’s fair in this regard until both sides know what kind of contribution Jones makes in 2008.  The focus, then, should be coming up with an appropriate formula for determining the compensation that the Titans will receive in the first draft after Pacman’s impact, and availability, are known.