For once the Cleveland Browns may have dodged a bullet in the NFL Draft.
As the post draft picture slowly begins to come into focus, it is becoming abundantly clear that the Cleveland Browns not only selected the right player with the 3rd overall selection, but they also may have dodged a bullet by taking a pass on Oklahoma State standout receiver Justin Blackmon.
As the first rookie minicamps got started and as those camps rolled into the teams first OTA’s an unflattering picture is starting to emerge in regards to Justin Blackmon who was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars with the 6th overall selection.
Jaguars head coach Mike Mularkey had said during the teams OTA that Blackmon “looked lost” at times during practice and drills. He has also indicated that perhaps Blackmon may have a harder transition to a pro-style offense than the coaching staff had initially anticipated. This in itself does not bode well for the WR rookie, but as it turns out this is the high mark of Blackmon’s early days in the NFL.
Now, according to a Payne County Jail spokeswoman, the Jaguars wide receiver was arrested on a complaint of aggravated DUI early Sunday morning in Stillwater Oklahoma. The reason that Blackmon was charged with an aggravated DUI and a standard one is due to Oklahoma law that states a driver with a blood alcohol level above .15 is an aggravated DUI.
Sadly this is not the first time that Blackmon has been arrested for a DUI complaint. In October of 2010 Blackmon was arrested in Carrollton Texas after a Dallas Cowboys Monday night football game. Not only did he suffer legal consequences for that incident, but Blackmon was also suspended for one game by Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy because Blackmon did not have consent to attend the game.
The 6-foot-1, 207 pound Jaguars rookie receiver was one of three possible prospects that the Browns were considering with their (at the time) 4th overall selection in the 1st round. If the team had indeed drafted Blackmon, this would have been yet another black eye on a once proud franchise. As it stands right now, it’s a blow to a Jaguars team desperate for offensive playmakers outside of “bowling-ball” running back Maurice Jones-Drew.
It is not yet known what type of disciplinary action will be taken by the Jaguars or the NFL. One thing that is making it difficult to predict is due to the fact that Blackmon has yet to sign his rookie contract which is reportedly worth around 18.5 million in guaranteed salary. Since he is officially not yet under contract, it may be possible that the league may not be able to impose a suspension, however that does not mean that the Jaguars themselves can’t take action on their own.
It seems Blackmon (as of right now) is living up to the stereotype of an immature player who has arrived at the professional level, but does not possess a professional attitude. This is yet another reason I am glad that Richardson is in Cleveland and Blackmon is not.
Michael W. Youngman--Lead Analyst C.B.R.Michael is the Lead Analyst for the Cleveland Browns Report. He has written many articles that have been featured by playerpress.com, cantonrep.com, FoxSports.com, and of course this site. Michael has also written a book titled “The Dayton Project” published in 2008 by PublishAmerica. He makes his home in the Hall of Fame City of Canton Ohio with his wife Lisa and his two children Joseph and Jennifer. To learn more, visit his Website
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