11/21/24
November 03, 2013
Jaguars' Justin Blackmon Suspended for Drugs: Justin Blackmon, the second-year wide receiver who was the fifth pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2012 draft, was suspended indefinitely by the NFL Friday and is going into drug rehab. Blackmon missed the first four games of the season on a previous drug suspension and has been in the league substance-abuse program since a month after the draft, when he was pulled over for driving drunk at three times the legal limit. Blackmon put up good numbers in the four games he played -- 29 catches, 415 yards, one touchdown -- but Florida Times-Union columnist Gene Frenette believes the team should cut ties. Jacksonville has been here before with wideouts Jimmy Smith and R. Jay Soward, both who fought substance abuse woes while on the team.
If Jacksonville doesn't want him I'm sure there are many NFL teams who will jump at the chance to sign someone with his talent.
Paging Bill Bellichek. A late-round pick this offseason for Blackmon is right up the Pats' alley and would solve some of their receiver woes if he could get his head on straight.
That said, Jacksonville I think is way too talent shallow to let him go. Yes, he's troubled - but they're not going to get a return for him that will have even a fraction of the upside...and right now, they don't have a lot of upside anywhere. I think he gets another shot.
posted by dfleming at 07:26 PM on November 03, 2013
Blackmon is suspended until at least next season, so I don't think anyone would trade for him. This is a big setback for the Jaguars' rebuilding effort, since Blackmon, Cecil Shorts and Luke Joeckel were the three must-keep players.
I don't think the Jaguars will release him, but I think he's a longshot to succeed with this team or any other. If you're not motivated to stay away from substance abuse when your first non-rookie deal is coming up, you've got a big problem.
posted by rcade at 10:32 AM on November 04, 2013
It doesn't mean Blackmon can't somehow resurrect his career. But it's highly unlikely, so he should have to do it somewhere else. He has let the Jaguars down one time too many. . . .
If Jacksonville doesn't want him I'm sure there are many NFL teams who will jump at the chance to sign someone with his talent.
Hopefully this will be the wake up call he needs. More importantly, hopefully he can get the treatment he needs to overcome this.