Justin Blackmon: The Error Is on the Wide Receiver, Not the Jaguars

The Justin Blackmon saga is either coming to an end, or just beginning to heat up in Jacksonville, as the Jaguars have called a 1:15 pm press conference on Wednesday at EverBank Field.

Blackmon, along with Jaguars head coach Mike Mularkey and other Jaguars' brass, will be in attendance to meet with the media and finally discuss the incident that had the fifth pick in this year’s draft arrested and charged with a DUI after registering a .24 on a breathalyzer test over the weekend.

So far, the Jaguars have been mum on the situation. Wednesday should finally shed some light on the events that have taken place, and how the Jaguars plan to deal with Blackmon—who had one prior arrest for a DUI two years ago—moving forward.

As a fan of the team and reporter, I am a little surprised the team and its media contingent have waited this long to make a formal statement. There has been plenty of speculation over what happened in Stillwater, Oklahoma, that led to Blackmon’s arrest, and what will happen to him not only in a court of law, but also with the NFL and its stance against the use of drugs and alcohol.

The main thing is both fans and the media, as well as the NFL hierarchy, should see the “real” Justin Blackmon Wednesday afternoon.

The latest charge against Blackmon was reduced from a felony to a misdemeanor, but still could cost the wide receiver jail time, possible fines and a suspension by the league office.

No official statement has come from the NFL offices about the incident over the weekend.

The groundswell of comments made over the local radio stations here in town have fans questioning Blackmon's off-the-field behavior, and whether the Oklahoma State All-American—who was once thought to be the “savior” of a leaking receiving corps—is a good fit for the team.

The team signed Laurent Robinson and Lee Evans in free agency, but it was believed Blackmon was the best bet for the team as fans lauded the franchise for making the move to trade up to select him.

Now, they have some doubts that general manager Gene Smith and his team of scouts did their “due diligence” in selecting the right player for the franchise.

Make no mistake, this was the right move for the Jaguars. The problems that exist from Blackmon’s past (the prior run-in with the law), and the current situation where he will appear before a Stillwater judge three days prior to the Jaguars opening training camp, are his to bare, and the team should not be held accountable.

Tomorrow will be the telling sign of where the team, and the player, go from here. The sad fact is, if Blackmon has some sort of “ailment,” then the team should offer guidance and support because of the talent he possesses, and the opportunity to have a Terrell Owens-type talent on the field.

One can only hope that Blackmon does not have the same kind of baggage issues that the former Pro Bowl receiver had.

And after the team itself does its part, Blackmon will then await his fate with the NFL.