These two men could very well be the faces of the Jaguars for the next decade! Source: Phil Sears-US PRESSWIRE

The Jaguars are in transition.  They are moving from a strong running game to a more conventional balanced game with the pass being a highlight of the offense rather than the red-headed step child of the running game.  Part of that transition is taking Maurice Jones-Drew’s team and making it Blaine Gabbert’s team.  Gabbert has struggled but could use his physical tools to be an effective passer.  Last year he had issues with a receiving corps that wouldn’t make a high school squad.  Enter Justin Blackmon.

Blackmon is not the only new receiver for the Jags.  They also brought in Laurent Robinson (Dallas) and Lee Evans (Baltimore) to help rejuvenate the wide receiver position.  But make no mistake, it will be Blackmon who will challenge to be the face of the franchise.  Blackmon is young, he’s practically synonymous with super star in Oklahoma, and he knows how to take a catch and make it look like some gold medal winning dismount.  He’s got the little bit of je ne sais quoi that so many players simply do not possess.  As his star rises, so will the Jaguars, and so will Blaine Gabbert.

With Jones-Drew holding out, every player in the passing game has an opportunity to make himself a crucial part of the rebuilding of the Jaguars.  Any one of the receivers, Brian Robiskie, Robinson, Kevin Elliott, could be the new face.  Blackmon just has the best shot.  The man has skills that allow him to outplay defenders, he has a smile on his face as he plays, and he comes to town as the best wideout drafted by the Jaguars since Matt Jones (oh wait…).

But seriously, the guy will be a catalyst for better play by the Jaguars receivers.  The team is perceived by some as having a glut at the position this offseason but the offense has still struggled to make the jump thus far.  Blackmon will force the other receivers to be on their game as his elevated play will bring the entire field to new heights.  Blackmon isn’t just a game changer, he’s a roster changer.  His presence changes the way the team will approach practice and approach beating defenses.

- Luke N. Sims

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Getting Blackmon to camp will help the offense as they work to install new schemes and approaches following a dismal performance in 2012.  The team will focus on getting Blackmon the ball and making the revamped receiving corps with Mike Thomas, Cecil Shorts, and Laurent Robinson involved.  Blaine Gabbert needs weapons, and with the signing of Blackmon, he just got one more guaranteed.  He should be worth every single penny the Jaguars give him.

- Luke N. Sims

Missing a week of training camp will be rough on the rookie, but being able to put on pads, run with the offense, take reps at the position he will be playing for the year, and begin to help mold the offense that he is a major part in rebuilding will be good for him and the team.  The language over future off-field incidents with Blackmon were the reported sticking point between the two sides as they worked at getting a deal done.

With Blackmon back, it will be interesting to see if he gets to play against New York on Friday and whether or not he will be able to participate in padded practices (four days after he signs according to the new CBA) by the end of this week.

- Luke N. Sims