Twitter Tuesdays: Jaguars Sign Rookie WR Justin Blackmon

It’s been over 3 months since the Jaguars drafted WR Justin Blackmon as the 5th overall pick in the 2012 NFL draft.

Today, the Jaguars & Blackmon finally agreed on the contract & got that $18.5 million baby signed!

As with any breaking news in Jacksonville… Fans & haters joined together on Twitter to share their reactions.

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For more tweets from the Jags Nation… Make sure to follow me on Twitter!


Jacksonville’s 1st Rd Draft Pick, Blackmon Arrested On DUI Charges

Unless you live under a rock, or were having just a little too much fun on your Sunday Funday, you have heard that Jacksonville’s first round draft pick Justin Blackmon was arrested on Saturday night in Oklahoma for DUI charges. Blackmon was pulled over for going 60MPH in a 35MPH zone. After the officer noticed Blackmon’s slurred speech & bloodshot eyes he was questioned to which he admitted to drinking prior. To make matters worse blew a .24 on the breathalyzer. Keep in mind that’s three times the legal limit of .08.

Blackmon, Blackmon, Blackmon. Where should I even begin?

Should I start with how incredibly stupid it is to drink & drive in the first place? I mean did you not watch the horror videos in high school of people crashing after drinking at prom? Have you not ever watched a heart wrenching story on the news about a drunk driver that killed a mother of four?

I’m hoping at this point in your life you understand the consequences of drinking & driving as a normal civilian.

Now let’s add in that you were the 5th OVERALL DRAFT PICK IN THE 2012 NFL DRAFT.  A position that most males would give anything to have.

You were selected.. hand picked… and even traded up for by an organization that is going through a drastic change with hopes to turn things around. And they choose you to help. This mutli-million dollar organization picked you sir, to represent them & help show the rest of the nation they are in Jacksonville to stay.

And how do you turn around & show your gratitude? By being arrested for your 2nd DUI? Yes – you read that correctly, this is not Blackmon’s first offense.

We have to hope that the franchise at least knew of his first offense. Now how much they really looked into it is still unknown. Maybe the organization addressed the situation before drafting him, or maybe they hoped he was just young & learned his lesson.

After all, he did release this statement after his first offense during which time he was with his alma mater Oklahoma State:

“I’m embarrassed to be in this position,” Blackmon said. “I’m truly sorry to my family, to my friends and to Oklahoma State all together. I look forward to redeeming myself and proving to everybody that this isn’t who I am. I’m not this guy. I’m humbled by this experience and I will grow from it.”

Sorry to break it to you buddy, but this isn’t really proving anything to anyone. Maybe the first time you could release a statement like this & everyone would chalk it up to you being young & relestless. Well Blackmon, welcome to the big leagues, where everything you do & don’t do is under scrutiny at all times.

It is no secret to NFL fans that the Jacksonville organization has been struggling over the past few years. From their low attendance at home games to the lack of wins, Jacksonville is constantly being highlighted in the news about their struggles. Let’s not forget the ever present debate about Jacksonville’s 2011 first round draft pick & whether or not that was an epic failure. Now we get to add in another reason for the Jaguars to have negative press.

Who ever said any press is good press, clearly didn’t understand Jacksonville’s dilema.

The team has been struggling with ticket sales for years, but Khan has hopes to turn that around this season. The City of Jacksonville’s letter on the front page nor Blackmon’s arrest can stop him! But he can’t say it won’t hurt just a bit.

Blackmon has a lot of apologizing to do. If I had a say so, he’d start at the top. I mean after all he hasn’t signed anything yet… Maybe the franchise just saved themselves a few million for this infraction.

Blackmon was released on a $1,000 bond & will be appearing before a judge this afternoon.


News From The Jungle: Post Draft Reactions

With the 2012 NFL draft come & gone, it’s time to look ahead to the 2012 NFL season.

For some teams this weekend was a let down, for others it was a glimpse of hope. The later could not be more true for fans in Jacksonville.

Of all the things that happened in this weekend’s draft, one thing was clear. Khan is ready to do what it takes to turn this ship around.

Sure fans & NFL analysts are quick to dismiss the young QB Blaine Gabbert after a less than promising rookie season, but one can’t help but be hopeful that things will change this season once Gabbert is surrounded by talented WRs on the field.

Trading up to snag Blackmon was a season changing move for the Jaguars. Not only will Gabbert have the top WR prospect of the 2012 NFL draft down the field; he’ll be joined by Lee Evans & Laurent Robinson.

Wait just one minute here… You mean Jacksonville has 3 starting WR with actual potential. Whoa. That’s mind boggling.

At this point last season we could’ve cut our receiving corp & no one in the NFL would bat an eye. Oh wait we basically did that.

Enough about the offense… That’s not the only thing that needed work in Jacksonville. Let’s venture onto the subject that I am sure will be debated in Jacksonville for months… (maybe it will take place of the Tebow debate).

Bryan Anger. A punter in the 3rd round. Oh man did that pick make people ANGRY (Sorry I just had to).

Unfortunately, no matter what side you are on what is done is done. At least you can rejoice in the fact Matt Turk won’t be on the field this season. Sure this is the highest drafted punter since the year the Jacksonville franchise began, but at least it was for a legitimate player.

With 5 more month until the NFL season officially begins I’m sure these draft picks will continue to be analyzed… over & over… again & again. Here’s the top news stories circulating Duval this week:

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Yahoo! Sports: 2012 Jacksonville Jaguars Draft Picks: Fan Reaction

Washington Post: Jaguars sign 8 offensive, 9 defensive players to fill roster heading into rookie camp

NFL.com: Jaguars GM thinks team will be a ‘playoff contender’

Bleacher Report: Blackmonville: Why the Jaguars Might Have NFL’s Most Improved Offense in 2012

Big Cat Country: Mike Mularkey Says Jaguars Could Experiment With Wildcat

NFL.com: Justin Blackmon Doesn’t Feel Pressure Of No. 1 Receiver

News4Jax: Blackmon introduced in Jacksonville

 


Jacksonville Drafts WR Justin Blackmon

In the 2012 NFL Draft the Jacksonville Jaguars will select as the fifth overall pick, WR Justin Blackmon.

AMEN!

Finally! Jacksonville has an opportunity to have a star Wide Receiver.

Oh how I long for the days when Jimmy Smith rocked the field. It’s way too soon to be making any crazy comparisons but wouldn’t it be great to have a top NFL WR?!

QB Blaine Gabbert & RB Maurice Jones-Drew seemed pleased with the first round pick this evening. They both expressed via Twitter the excitement for the rookie WR.

It was clear to me the Jaguars plan as soon as they traded up with the Buccaneers. They knew that Blackmon wouldn’t linger too long & they clearly didn’t want to chance it.

Tonight was a major stepping stone for the Khan era. Drafting a top WR is just a great example of how he plans to turn this team around.

Only time will tell how this will all pan out… Will it be the beginning of a Gabbert – Blackmon era in Jacksonville? Or perhaps a dynamic Henne- Blackmon duo.

How do you feel about Jacksonville’s first round pick? Tweet me @RoarBlackNTeal.


News From The Jungle: Straight From Duval

A few news stories are circling Duval this week as the Jaguars prepare for the draft.

Of course the continuous speculation of who the Jags will draft is in the mix but it appears Jacksonville is attempt to trade their first round pick.

Only time will tell.

Looks like Fred Taylor will be back in the spotlight when he announces the second & third draft pick for Jacksonville.

Apparently the franchise does practice what it preaches on putting family first, considering they are allowing Aaron Ross to travel to the Olympics to watch his wife.

Blaine Gabbert has a new hair do & is ready to go. Hopefully the hair cut will help improve his QB rating this season.

Enjoy this week’s edition of News from the Jungle.

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Florida Times-Union: On the Jaguars’ ability to trade down from the 7th pick

NFL.com: Jacksonville Jaguars to let Aaron Ross watch wife at Olympics

Action Sports: Gabbert ready for season to start

Yahoo! Sports: 2012 Jacksonville Jaguars Schedule Has Potential: Fan Reaction

Florida Times-Union: Fred Taylor will announce Jaguars 2nd-round pick in New York