Justin Blackmon Must Own His Reinstatement
By Luke Sims
Justin Blackmon’s absence from the Jacksonville Jaguars is incredibly noticeable due to an anemic offense. While there are promising young players at the wide receiver position, Justin Blackmon is an unique talent and would likely outperform rookie standouts Allen Hurns, Allen Robinson, and Marqise Lee.
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The Jaguars are facing a logjam at wide receiver right now, but they would certainly make room for a player of Blackmon’s caliber. But it isn’t the caliber of his talent that they are worried about, but rather the caliber of his character. Problems off the field have led to Blackmon missing significant playing time since being drafted by the Jaguars in the first round three years ago. Included in that time missed is the entirety of the 2014 NFL season.
Over the past few months, the Jaguars have consistently stated their support for Blackmon as he struggled to right his life following the indefinite suspension from the League. General Manager Dave Caldwell voiced his support again during an interview with Pro Football Talk Live, but noted that Justin Blackmon must own the reinstatement, saying:
"It’s currently in the league’s hands and it’s in Justin’s hands, to be honest with you."
The league will play a reactionary role in Blackmon’s potential reinstatement and while nobody is hold his breath, the Jaguars organization will continue to lobby for Blackmon’s return to the NFL during talks about the troubled receiver.
Getting Justin Blackmon back would be great for the Jaguars and could potentially reinvigorate an offense that has struggled to put things together in Blake Bortles’ first season in the NFL. Hopefully Blackmon can continue with his reported rehabilitation and find success personally and professionally; then we can talk about how he can help put the Jaguars’ offense back together too. He can’t be reinstated until he applies and the NFL judges him ready to return, though.