Jacksonville Jaguars may seek offset language protection in rookie WR Justin Blackmon deal – NFL News
The Jacksonville Jaguars appear set to seek additional protection against rookie wide receiver Justin Blackmon given the player’s off-field record has recently been damaged in the wake of his arrest on the Driving Under the Influence (DUI) charge.
Blackmon was arrested but released on a $1000 bond recently, and now faces the court. He has pleaded not guilty before the court but the case is yet pending regular hearing.
The player in the meantime is backed by the Jaguars and they are reportedly working on his deal. Yet there is still a big question mark on the player’s ability to show up at training camp from its start later this month.
A section of media has quoted anonymous people privy to the development of the deal matter not being so sure about Justin’s deal done well in time for the training camp.
Nevertheless, the negotiations process, which is apparently making lukewarm progress, is going to focus the offset language in the terms for the player. The new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) allows teams to have extra protection in signing the vulnerable
players.
The offset language provides the teams with the option of protecting themselves financially against risk of a player’s release prematurely, particularly during the guaranteed period. The Miami Dolphins are recently reported to have been pressing to include
the offset language in the contract of rookie QB Ryan Tannehill.
On the other hand, the Indianapolis Colts and Washington Redskins have let go the contracts of their QBs Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III respectively without the language.
Some commentators believe that the deal of the elite rookie QBs was expected to serve as the benchmark for signing of other rookie players but not so in case of the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Further, some analysts see Blackmon to be lucky to win a deal before the training camp while his case is pending in the court.
The player is no way in a position to bargain. It is not the only court, he also faces a disciplinary action from the National Football League (NFL). The office has not hinted at going after him so far.
Also, Justin is lucky to have been backed by the Jaguars at the time of need. His pro career could have been on the destruction path even before getting on the pro track.
Tags: