Big Cat Country - Justin Blackmon suspended: Jaguars WR out 4 gamesStand United, Duval Til We Diehttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47383/bigcatcountry_fave.png2013-09-30T10:23:54-04:00http://www.bigcatcountry.com/rss/stream/40511512013-09-30T10:23:54-04:002013-09-30T10:23:54-04:00Blackmon returns Monday
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/XKYq327FPzwLJbgn947W8UMmKkE=/0x9:4000x2676/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/20410495/20130809_mbr_av1_132.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Jacksonville Jaguars get back wide receiver Justin Blackmon on Monday, who's been out the first four games after serving a suspension.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.bigcatcountry.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Jacksonville Jaguars</a> offense has looked anemic, to put it kindly, through the first four weeks of the season as the team feel to 0-4 on Sunday against the <a href="https://www.stampedeblue.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Indianapolis Colts</a>.</p>
<p>There is a bit of good news on Monday however, as the Jaguars get back the services of second-year wide receiver <span>Justin Blackmon</span>.</p>
<p>Blackmon was surprisingly hit with a four-game suspension over the summer for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy, but he's able to get back on the practice field with his team this week and will be available for the active roster when the Jaguars travel to St. Louis to take on the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/st-louis-rams" class="sbn-auto-link">Rams</a>.</p>
<p>The passing game for Jacksonville has been dreadful overall, often only picking up yardage late in games when the outcome is well in hand. The quarterbacks have struggled, along with the offensive line, but so has wide receiver <span>Cecil Shorts III</span> with teams keying on taking him out of the game.</p>
<p>The return of Blackmon should offer Shorts some relief, and possibly inject some play making into the offense, but until the interior offensive line ups it's play, it doesn't really matter who's running routes.</p>
<h4>More from Big Cat Country:</h4>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.bigcatcountry.com/2013/9/30/4786370/marcedes-lewis-injury-jaguars-out-indefinitely?utm_source=bigcatcountry&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Marcedes Lewis out indefinitely</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.bigcatcountry.com/2013/9/30/4784520/jaguars-need-a-wrecking-ball?utm_source=bigcatcountry&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Jaguars Need A Wrecking Ball</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.bigcatcountry.com/2013/9/30/4786132/jaguars-news-roundup-9-30?utm_source=bigcatcountry&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Jaguars news roundup 9/30</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.bigcatcountry.com/2013/9/29/4784008/jaguars-colts-postgame-recap-analysis-final-score?utm_source=bigcatcountry&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Colts vs. Jaguars 2013: Same story, different week for Jacksonville in 37-3 loss</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.bigcatcountry.com/2013/9/28/4780872/ricky-stanzi-cut-jaguars-roster-move?utm_source=bigcatcountry&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Jaguars cut Ricky Stanzi, add 2 from practice squad</a></li>
</ul>
https://www.bigcatcountry.com/2013/9/30/4786500/justin-blackmon-suspension-jaguars-returnAlfie Crow2013-05-14T13:00:11-04:002013-05-14T13:00:11-04:00Blackmon can look to Smith
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/XQHtamGe6FD0gSGX3E-ujBZpIio=/0x113:4000x2780/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/13130099/20130513_jla_ap4_117.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bigcatcountry.com/">Jacksonville Jaguars</a> wide receiver <span>Justin Blackmon</span> met with the media for the first time since his suspension on Monday, addressing some questions about his situation and once again denying that he has a substance abuse problem.</p>
<p> </p>
<div class="sidebar">
<a href="http://www.bigcatcountry.com/2013/5/13/4327992/jimmy-smith-jail-arrest-possession">
<h2>Jimmy Smith in jail</h2>
<img src="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/13111587/82904166.0_standard_709.0.0_standard_709.0.jpg"></a> Former Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Jimmy Smith is serving a six-year jail term after continuing to struggle with substance abuse after football.</div>
<p>Blackmon could be right and this could simply just be a young kid making a stupid mistake, but the problem for Blackmon is this has established a pattern of mistakes, so it's hard to believe it's just another stupid mistake.</p>
<p>I don't want to insinuate Blackmon has a problem with substance abuse, because I don't know, but it's difficult not to think that he does given the pattern he has displayed. Blackmon can look to the demons of the Jaguars past at wide receiver however and learn from them, choose the right road going forward.</p>
<p>Blackmon knows he has to decide that he doesn't want to go down the same road as Jimmy Smith, R.J. Soward, <span>Reggie Williams</span>, and <span>Matt Jones</span>. All former receivers who had high hopes coming in and outside of Smith were disasters on and off the football field.</p>
<p>Blackmon is just one strike away from a years suspension and likely release from the Jaguars, so he has to decide now where he wants to go in his NFL career. The stupid mistakes have to stop and he has to focus on the game he obviously loves playing.</p>
<p>And with that, we'll move on from suspension talk. What's done is done and all he can do going forward is make the right decisions.</p>
<h4>Keep reading:</h4>
<p>• <a href="http://www.bigcatcountry.com/2013/5/13/4327058/justin-blackmon-suspension-media-jaguars" target="_blank"> Blackmon speaks on his suspension </a></p>
<p>• <a href="http://www.bigcatcountry.com/2013/5/13/4327992/jimmy-smith-jail-arrest-possession" target="_blank"> Jimmy Smith serving 6-year jail sentence </a></p>
<p>• <a href="http://www.bigcatcountry.com/2013/5/13/4326154/jaguars-cb-position-alan-ball-marcus-trufant" target="_blank">Jaguars CB position to be sorted out in camp</a></p>
<p>• <a href="http://www.bigcatcountry.com/2013/5/10/4319210/jaguars-chris-banjo-nfl-journey" target="_blank"> Chris Banjo's 2nd chance at a 1st impression </a></p>
<p>• <a href="http://www.bigcatcountry.com/2013/5/10/4317060/cult-of-personality" target="_blank">Cult Of Personality</a></p>
<p>• <a href="http://www.bigcatcountry.com/2013/5/14/4329874/justin-blackmon-suspension-maurice-jones-drew-comments" target="_blank">MJD thinks media is blowing Blackmon suspension "out of proportion"</a></p>
https://www.bigcatcountry.com/2013/5/14/4329906/jimmy-smith-arrest-justin-blackmon-suspensionAlfie Crow2013-05-14T09:50:17-04:002013-05-14T09:50:17-04:00MJD misses the issue
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/wwQkHoaAxmYk9HqKxSACVOaJjvg=/46x0:690x429/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/13129695/969327_10151492015148863_1550176553_n.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jacksonville Jaguars</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Maurice Jones-Drew thinks the media is blowing Justin Blackmon's suspension out of proportion.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.bigcatcountry.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Jacksonville Jaguars</a> got back on the practice fields on Monday, which also meant that players would be speaking to the media for the first time in a while. One of the big issues was wide receiver <span>Justin Blackmon</span> speaking to the media for the first time since his suspension, but running back <span>Maurice Jones-Drew</span> doesn't think it's that big of a deal, even going as far to say the media is making a much bigger deal out of the situation than needs to be.</p>
<p>"The media just blows it out of proportion," Jones-Drew said, <a target="_blank" href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.usatoday.com%2Fstory%2Fsports%2Fnfl%2Fjaguars%2F2013%2F05%2F13%2Fsuspended-wide-receiver-justin-blackmon-denies-drinking-problem%2F2156627%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bigcatcountry.com%2F2013%2F5%2F14%2F4329874%2Fjustin-blackmon-suspension-maurice-jones-drew-comments" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener">per an Associated Press report</a>. "A lot of people make several mistakes. If you're that age and you have that amount of money, how would you act? If you answer that question truthfully, you can go from there."</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://espn.go.com/blog/afcsouth/post/_/id/50165/jones-drew-comments-not-help-to-blackmon">ESPN's Paul Kuharsky thinks that</a> Jones-Drew's stance here isn't helping Justin Blackmon and actually doing him a disservice, in which I agree.</p>
<p>Any time a player is dinged with a four-game suspension, it's going to be a big deal. It's not a media creation making it a big deal either, especially when the player is entering just his second season in the NFL. Jones-Drew is naturally going to defend a teammate, especially one he's close to, but his response almost comes off as blaming the media for Blackmon getting in trouble.</p>
<p>The media didn't make him get a DUI. The media didn't make him get a four-game suspension.</p>
<p>I don't think it's that difficult to follow the guidelines of the NFL CBA, in that if you're going to get suspended for using a substance... don't use it. Maybe it's more complicated than that, but that's another issue.</p>
<p>The underlying point is, Blackmon's suspension is a big issue. The Jaguars offense has struggled the past few seasons and a big reason was due to the lack of talent at the wide receiver position. Blackmon emerged as a rookie into a semi-reliable target on the offense and will be sorely missed going forward while he's out those four games.</p>
<p>It's kind of a big deal.</p>
<h4>Keep reading:</h4>
<p>• <a href="http://www.bigcatcountry.com/2013/5/13/4327058/justin-blackmon-suspension-media-jaguars" target="_blank"> Blackmon speaks on his suspension </a></p>
<p>• <a href="http://www.bigcatcountry.com/2013/5/13/4327992/jimmy-smith-jail-arrest-possession" target="_blank"> Jimmy Smith serving 6-year jail sentence </a></p>
<p>• <a href="http://www.bigcatcountry.com/2013/5/13/4326154/jaguars-cb-position-alan-ball-marcus-trufant" target="_blank">Jaguars CB position to be sorted out in camp</a></p>
<p>• <a href="http://www.bigcatcountry.com/2013/5/10/4319210/jaguars-chris-banjo-nfl-journey" target="_blank"> Chris Banjo's 2nd chance at a 1st impression </a></p>
<p>• <a href="http://www.bigcatcountry.com/2013/5/10/4317060/cult-of-personality" target="_blank">Cult Of Personality</a></p>
<p>• <a href="http://www.bigcatcountry.com/2013/5/4/4299582/denard-robinson-jaguars-slash" target="_blank">Denard Robinson ready for "Slash" type role</a></p>
https://www.bigcatcountry.com/2013/5/14/4329874/justin-blackmon-suspension-maurice-jones-drew-commentsAlfie Crow2013-05-13T14:06:25-04:002013-05-13T14:06:25-04:00Blackmon speaks on his suspension
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ybGxN2vl0xWz9TdzVsCeUWELTME=/8x0:3991x2655/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/13099661/20130513_jla_ap4_108.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>For the first time since his four-game suspension, Jaguars WR Justin Blackmon speaks to the media.</p> <p><a href="https://www.bigcatcountry.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Jacksonville Jaguars</a> wide receiver <span>Justin Blackmon</span> met with the media to answer questions after Monday's OTA session, the first time Blackmon has spoken since his four-game suspension for violating the NFL's substance abuse program.</p>
<p>At the time the suspension was announced, Blackmon released a statement through the team expressing remorse for his mistake.</p>
<p> </p>
<div class="sidebar">
<a href="http://www.bigcatcountry.com/2013/5/1/4289702/justin-blackmon-suspended-jaguars-career/in/4051151">
<h2>Blackmon at crossroads</h2>
<img src="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/12528257/usatsi_6782734.0_standard_709.0.jpg"></a> <span>Jaguars wide receiver Justin Blackmon is entering his second season in the NFL, but the former first-round pick is already at a crossroad.</span>
</div>
<p>"No, I would say I don’t," Blackmon said when asked if he had a substance abuse problem. "Out of this whole thing one of the main things I would say that I had a problem with was just making a poor decision, making a selfish decision at that and not thinking about the long-term of it and just thinking about at the time. If you want to ask if I have a problem? I have a problem with making a poor decision."</p>
<p>Poor decision making is a problem for Blackmon and it has been the past three years of his life, having an alcohol related incident his final year at Oklahoma State, a DUI last offseason and now a substance abuse related suspension from the NFL.</p>
<p>"I’m still trying to get over it so I’m still dealing with it today," Blackmon said about getting over letting his teammates down. "That’s what we’re here for so it’s something I’m still dealing with. Until it’s done with I guess I will be dealing with it."</p>
<p> </p>
<div class="pullquote">"I’ve made decisions and choices to make better decisions, and if that’s staying at home then just staying at home. Overall it’s just making better decisions.<span>-Justin Blackmon</span>
</div>
<p>Blackmon can now lean on his teammates and his coaching staff now that OTAs are back in effect and the team is on the field practicing. All of Blackmon's mistakes have seem to come during the offseason, perhaps with having too much time on his hands.</p>
<p>Blackmon knows he's at a crossroads, however.</p>
<p>"I’m very confident," Blackmon said when asked how sure he was this would be his last mistake. "I don’t think anybody wants to be in the position that I’m in right now and I don’t think anybody wants to be in a position that can be any worse. I’m not going to go into it and say I want to be in this position because that’s not where I want to be. All I can do is come out here and work every day and get better each day.</p>
<p>"Coach Gus says every day, ‘Today is the most important day,’ and that’s all I can do is come out here every day and try to improve and take care of everything else as it comes," Blackmon concluded.</p>
<h4>Keep reading:</h4>
<p>• <a target="_blank" href="http://www.bigcatcountry.com/2013/5/13/4326154/jaguars-cb-position-alan-ball-marcus-trufant">Jaguars CB position to be sorted out in camp</a></p>
<p>• <a target="_blank" href="http://www.bigcatcountry.com/2013/5/10/4319210/jaguars-chris-banjo-nfl-journey"> Chris Banjo's 2nd chance at a 1st impression </a></p>
<p>• <a target="_blank" href="http://www.bigcatcountry.com/2013/5/10/4317060/cult-of-personality">Cult Of Personality</a></p>
<p>• <a target="_blank" href="http://www.bigcatcountry.com/2013/5/6/4302632/jordan-rodgers-jaguars">Jordan Rodgers motivated by going undrafted</a></p>
<p>• <a target="_blank" href="http://www.bigcatcountry.com/2013/5/4/4299582/denard-robinson-jaguars-slash">Denard Robinson ready for "Slash" type role</a></p>
https://www.bigcatcountry.com/2013/5/13/4327058/justin-blackmon-suspension-media-jaguarsAlfie Crow2013-05-06T08:00:11-04:002013-05-06T08:00:11-04:00Blackmon easily distracted?
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/YudlBnEX9_asQ2btNwvbmHiAqOo=/0x0:2667x1778/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/12718523/20120930_ajw_ar5_117.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jake Roth-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>New broke last week that the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bigcatcountry.com/">Jacksonville Jaguars</a> would be without wide receiver Justin Blackmon for the first four games of the season, as he violated the NFL's substance abuse policy. Blackmon needs to get things right going forward if he wants to realize his potential at the NFL level.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/NFP-Sunday-Blitz-3178.html" target="_blank">According to a report by Dan Pompei of the National Football Post</a>, the word in the building is that Blackmon is too easily distracted.</p>
<blockquote>
<p><span>Justin Blackmon's</span> four game suspension for violating the league's substance abuse policy points to the big picture problem with Blackmon. The word out of EverBank Field is the Jaguars have found him to be too easily distracted. He loses focus and lacks consistency. And it has affected his performance. The Jags' new regime likes Blackmon's talent. But will the Jaguars ever see him realize it?</p>
</blockquote>
<p>This doesn't come as much of a shock, as you could see at times in games where it appeared Blackmon wasn't giving full effort. Now, whether that was him being distracted or just still working through the rookie cloud, we'll never know. One thing is for sure however, if Blackmon doesn't get his head on straight he might find himself in a tough situation.</p>
<p>It's understandable when you consider just how young some of these players are that they're immature and get distracted, but at some point they run out of chances and they have to have that wake up moment.</p>
<h4>Keep reading:</h4>
<p>• <a target="_blank" href="http://www.bigcatcountry.com/2013/5/2/4291660/marcedes-lewis-jaguars-2013-fantasy-football-luke-joeckel"> Marcedes Lewis could be benefit from Joeckel </a></p>
<p>• <a target="_blank" href="http://www.bigcatcountry.com/2013/5/1/4289702/justin-blackmon-suspended-jaguars-career">Justin Blackmon at a career crossroad</a></p>
<p>• <a target="_blank" href="http://www.bigcatcountry.com/2013/4/28/4278284/denard-robinson-nfl-future-jaguars">Denard Robinson's NFL Future</a></p>
<p>• <a target="_blank" href="http://www.bigcatcountry.com/2013/5/4/4298518/jaguars-rookie-minicamp-johnathan-cyprien-practice">Jonathan Cyprien already standing out</a></p>
https://www.bigcatcountry.com/2013/5/6/4302646/justin-blackmon-jaguars-suspensionAlfie Crow2013-05-01T13:27:25-04:002013-05-01T13:27:25-04:00Career Crossroad
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/hUFom3AjO4-tLWr958SQG0cOpvA=/0x0:1097x731/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/12527929/usatsi_6782734.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The only person who can help Justin Blackmon now is Justin Blackmon.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bigcatcountry.com/">Jacksonville Jaguars</a> don't plan to release wide receiver <span>Justin Blackmon</span> following his four game suspension for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy, nor should they. Blackmon however is at a career crossroad and where he goes from here is going to define his future in the NFL.</p>
<p>It was almost exactly a year ago that <a target="_blank" href="http://tampabay.sbnation.com/jacksonville-jaguars/2012/6/4/3062396/justin-blackmon-dui-arrest-jaguars/in/2824980">I asked the question if Justin Blackmon had a bigger issue</a>, or if this was just a young kid being a young kid. It appears, looking back, he does seem to have a bigger issue and now it falls on him to decide where his NFL career is going to go.</p>
<p> </p>
<div class="pullquote">I've made a mistake and I have no excuse. I am truly sorry and disappointed in myself for putting the Jaguars in this situation, and I look forward to putting this behind me and maturing and growing as a person.<span>-Justin Blackmon</span>
</div>
<p>The struggles of Blackmon are not unfamiliar to Jaguars fans, as we've seen the list of R. J. Soward, <span>Jimmy Smith</span>, <span>Matt Jones</span>, and <span>Reggie Williams</span> all torpedo themselves off the football field. Some more than others also did so on the football field, but the bigger issue is they've had issues staying on the field because of what they did off of it.</p>
<p>Justin Blackmon picked up a DUI roughly a month after the 2012 NFL Draft, blowing a .24 on his breathalyzer test and appearing visibly intoxicated when the police footage was later released. That was just 20 months after he received a DUI while he was playing at Oklahoma State, which was later dropped to an underage open container charge, but it presents a pattern of making the wrong decisions.</p>
<p>Now, just 10 months from his past transgression, Blackmon has been suspended for violating the league's substance abuse policy. Blackmon just turned 23 years old and is entering the second season of his NFL career and the former first-round pick is already staring a year long suspension in the face is he messes up again.</p>
<p>We don't know if Blackmon was in the substance abuse program already because of his two DUI's or if it's because he's failed a drug tests previously, as you get a suspension on your second offense, but he's putting himself on a pattern of career suicide. In a 10 month span in the NFL, he's already done enough to be suspended for a quarter of the season.</p>
<p>"I have chosen to be accountable for my poor decision, and I sincerely apologize to my teammates, coaches, the front office and Jaguars fans for the impact of my mistake on the team," Blackmon said in a statement.</p>
<p>Words are wind. We heard the same words a year ago about how he was sorry and embarrassed and didn't have a problem.</p>
<p>It appears he has a problem.</p>
<p>The only person who can correct that problem is Justin Blackmon.</p>
<p>Blackmon is the only person who can put his career on track and he has to make that decision now. You're young and you made some mistakes, we get that. That's fine. It's impacting your career now, however. That's not fine. It's not fine for the organization who invested in you. It's not fine for the fans who gave you another chance. Most importantly, it's not fine for Justin Blackmon.</p>
<p>This is the moment in Blackmon's short NFL career where he's going to sink or swim, and hopefully that registers with him.</p>
<p>Hopefully, he swims.</p>
<h4>More Jaguars News:</h4>
<p>• <a href="http://www.bigcatcountry.com/2013/4/28/4278284/denard-robinson-nfl-future-jaguars" target="_blank">Denard Robinson's NFL future</a></p>
<p>• <a href="http://www.bigcatcountry.com/2013/4/30/4287064/justin-blackmon-suspended-jaguars" target="_blank">Justin Blackmon suspended 4 games</a></p>
<p>• <a href="http://www.bigcatcountry.com/2013/5/1/4289456/jaguars-rookie-mini-camp-schedule" target="_blank">Jaguars rookie mini-camp open to the public</a></p>
<p>• <a href="http://www.bigcatcountry.com/2013/5/1/4289530/justin-blackmon-release-jaguars" target="_blank">Justin Blackmon won't be released, nor should he be</a></p>
<p>• <a href="http://www.bigcatcountry.com/2013/4/29/4282396/jaguars-tim-tebow-nfl-free-agency-2013" target="_blank">Tebow not in the Jaguars plans</a></p>
https://www.bigcatcountry.com/2013/5/1/4289702/justin-blackmon-suspended-jaguars-careerAlfie Crow2013-05-01T12:00:13-04:002013-05-01T12:00:13-04:00What does Blackmon's suspension mean for Jags?
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/7YxD0mFLwNqkVdX8ZlMrTwJ7cRo=/0x0:4000x2667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/12514045/20120930_jrc_ar5_253.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jake Roth-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
</figure>
<p></p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bigcatcountry.com/">Jacksonville Jaguars</a> will be without wide receiver <span>Justin Blackmon</span> for the first four games of the 2013 NFL season, as he's been suspended by the NFL for violating the league's substance abuse policy. This means the team will be without it's leading receiver from the 2012 season for the first four games, which will likely have a negative effect on an offense that struggled to move the football in 2012.</p>
<p>The Jaguars will start the season against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.arrowheadpride.com/">Kansas City Chiefs</a> and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/oakland-raiders">Oakland Raiders</a>, two games that most Jaguars fans consider "winnable" right now, but the loss of Blackmon can put a big damper on that.</p>
<p>Blackmon finished the 2012 season with 64 receptions for 865 yards and 5 touchdowns, including finishing out the final quarter of the season with 25 receptions. Blackmon was starting to become a reliable cog in an offense that struggled and now he's going to be out early in the year and will be behind the pace when he gets back.</p>
<p>The Jaguars seemed to know the suspension was coming, as their selection of <span>Ace Sanders</span> now makes it obvious they knew.</p>
<p>So who's going to replace Blackmon early in the season opposite <span>Cecil Shorts III</span>?</p>
<p>The early candidate would appear to be free agent acquisition Mohamad Mossaquoi, who the Jaguars signed to a two-year deal prior to the NFL Draft. The other options could be rookie Ace Sanders, <span>Jordan Shipley</span>, or <span>Taylor Price</span>, but it's just going to be another position of competition in camp and the preseason.</p>
<p>I would imagine in training camp and the preseason, Blackmon's reps will be surrendered to the other players who will actually be playing in the first four games of the season, but that remains to be seen.</p>
<h4>More Jaguars News:</h4>
<p>• <a target="_blank" href="http://www.bigcatcountry.com/2013/4/28/4278284/denard-robinson-nfl-future-jaguars">Denard Robinson's NFL future</a></p>
<p>• <a target="_blank" href="http://www.bigcatcountry.com/2013/4/30/4287064/justin-blackmon-suspended-jaguars">Justin Blackmon suspended 4 games</a></p>
<p>• <a target="_blank" href="http://www.bigcatcountry.com/2013/5/1/4289456/jaguars-rookie-mini-camp-schedule">Jaguars rookie mini-camp open to the public</a></p>
<p>• <a target="_blank" href="http://www.bigcatcountry.com/2013/4/29/4280360/nfl-draft-results-jaguars-clearly-focused-on-scheme">Jaguars draft focused on scheme</a></p>
<p>• <a target="_blank" href="http://www.bigcatcountry.com/2013/4/29/4282396/jaguars-tim-tebow-nfl-free-agency-2013">Tebow not in the Jaguars plans</a></p>
https://www.bigcatcountry.com/2013/5/1/4289504/justin-blackmon-suspension-jaguars-replacementAlfie Crow2013-05-01T10:05:05-04:002013-05-01T10:05:05-04:00Jags won't release Blackmon
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/_tP02AyN98Tr3MD-2HVcbvwE38s=/0x0:2880x1920/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/12514913/20120830_ajw_ap5_066.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Phil Sears-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bigcatcountry.com/">Jacksonville Jaguars</a> can release wide receiver <span>Justin Blackmon</span> right now if they wish and have zero financial obligation to pay him, but the Jaguars do not plan to take such a hard action against the young wide receiver <a href="http://espn.go.com/blog/afcsouth/post/_/id/49801/jaguars-not-considering-cutting-blackmon" target="_blank">according to ESPN</a>, nor should they.</p>
<p>Language was placed in Blackmon's rookie contract which voids the remaining guaranteed money in his deal.This means the Jaguars could release him right now if they wished and would no longer owe him the remaining money on his rookie deal, which up until his suspension on Tuesday was fully guaranteed.</p>
<p>While some fans and media have called for the Jaguars to release Blackmon, it's not in their best interest to do so. This is Blackmon's second strike with the team, but his salary and the Jaguars cap situation do not make him a burden to hang on to and he's showed ability on the field. Talent trumps almost everything in the NFL, so it's in the Jaguars best interest to see if they can help Blackmon with his off the field issues rather than releasing him after his rookie season.</p>
<h4>More Jaguars News:</h4>
<p>• <a target="_blank" href="http://www.bigcatcountry.com/2013/4/28/4278284/denard-robinson-nfl-future-jaguars">Denard Robinson's NFL future</a></p>
<p>• <a target="_blank" href="http://www.bigcatcountry.com/2013/4/30/4287064/justin-blackmon-suspended-jaguars">Justin Blackmon suspended 4 games</a></p>
<p>• <a target="_blank" href="http://www.bigcatcountry.com/2013/5/1/4289456/jaguars-rookie-mini-camp-schedule">Jaguars rookie mini-camp open to the public</a></p>
<p>• <a target="_blank" href="http://www.bigcatcountry.com/2013/4/29/4280360/nfl-draft-results-jaguars-clearly-focused-on-scheme">Jaguars draft focused on scheme</a></p>
<p>• <a target="_blank" href="http://www.bigcatcountry.com/2013/4/29/4282396/jaguars-tim-tebow-nfl-free-agency-2013">Tebow not in the Jaguars plans</a></p>
https://www.bigcatcountry.com/2013/5/1/4289530/justin-blackmon-release-jaguarsAlfie Crow