Jacksonville Jaguars WR Justin Blackmon joins camp, out of preseason opener – NFL News
The period of ordeal is finally over for Jacksonville Jaguars’ wide receiver Justin Blackmon as the rookie having successfully overcome the recent off-field troubles showed up at training camp for the first time after 11 days to start of the camp in last
week of July.
Justin’s arrival at the camp was marred with the delay in signing of his rookie contract with the team, which he finally did on past Tuesday, and joined the teammates for training straightaway. The four-year deal is worth $18.5 million.
First year coach Mike Mularkey while confirming availability of the rookie at the camp disclosed the player will not be taken into the squad for the preseason opener against the reigning National Football League (NFL) champions the New York Giants. The coach,
however, denied that Justin does not qualify for the game under the league’s rules.
Mike also ruled out the possibility of any concerns about the player’s conduct at the moment, saying since the incident of his arrest on driving under the influence (DUI) charge, Blackmon is clearly more committed to football.
The coach said:
"I do have confidence because of what he did after his incident. When he left here, I was confident. Before that incident there were some issues that I didn't think he was working hard enough and getting it. I felt better when he left. Again, that's something
I have to see as we go along. We still have time."
Justin landed himself into the trouble of arrest under DUI soon after arrival in Jacksonville off the 2012 NFL draft held in April. He as a result of a bargain with the prosecution for pleading guilty to the charge was given the deferred punishment of one-year
jail term and asked to meet certain conditions i.e. community service, to avoid it.
Later, he at a media conference sitting next to general manager Gene Smith vowed to improve his conduct and avoid such an incident in the future. Since then he appears to be a transformed player. The Jaguars are now hopeful of his potential to make a difference
to their receivers’ crop, which is struggling to perform well at training camp.
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