Quote:The offense that occurred after he was drafted put him in the program.  That was his punishment.  It did allow the Jaguars to build wording into the deal to cover them in the event something like we're seeing now occurred, but it didn't impact the overall bottom line in his deal.  His appeal was denied because he hadn't modified his behavior at all despite the expectation that he would.  All of this is on Blackmon from the perspective of who is to blame. 

 

Where I take issue with this entire process is the way they several all communication with the team.  There needs to be a way for a player to work with the team to get the necessary help required to get him beyond this.  Left to his own devices, he's going to be less motivated to do what needs to be done.  He needs a more regimented environment. 

 

I also think there's overkill in how the league handles substance abuse situations.  If it's not a performance enhancing drug, but it's something that is legal, I think they're overstepping their boundaries for what they can do. I know it's that overbearing approach that ultimately got Matt Jones run out of the league.  He was in the program, got suspended for the cocaine incident, and nailed again because he had a beer while playing golf with buddies.  Really?  That's the tipping point?  It's ridiculous how the league handles these situations, and even more so that the NFLPA signed off on this approach.  That whole process needs to be revisited and a new process endorsed because this just doesn't work.

 

Agreed.  The team has a greater vested interest in the player than either the league or the NFLPA.  Teams should be allowed to contract independent health care professionals to administer whatever care the player requires.  Additionally, the health care professionals should be able to brief the team and league of the player's progress while keeping medical information private in accordance with HIPAA rules.  I concede, that's a fine line, but with disclosure waivers signed by the player it should be achievable.  Almost anything is better than the system currently in place.      

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