Quote:Justin Blackmon barely has 1000 yards for his career. By the time the regular season comes around it will have been almost *2 years* between games for Blackmon.


Reaction A: Justin Blackmon is an elite receiver and the next Dez Bryant.

Reaction B: It's unlikely to expect Blackmon to play at a high level.


Apparently on this board, A is the nuanced, reasonable, thoughtful conclusion and B makes one a "clown", "hater" and numerous other things that are against this board's TOS.

Let's be clear. The suspensions have been the main reasons his production has been

limited, not his innate ability.




In his limited time here, he has two of the biggest single game receiving performances in team history. Pedestrian receivers can't do that.



Assuming he is reinstated, the question becomes can he perform after all this time away from football.


There is precedent for the good and bad possibilities.


Our own Jimmy Smith had an inactive period of a similar length of time early in his career, prior to becoming a Jaguar.

<a class="bbc_url" href='http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SmitJi00.htm'>http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SmitJi00.htm</a>


This was due to a broken leg and appendicitis. The appendicitis occurred in training camp, and it set off a dispute with Jerry Jones that led to his release from Dallas. He was also cut by the Eagles in 1994. He signed with the Jaguars in 1995 and the rest is history.


On the other side is Mike Williams formerly of USC. He left school early and tried to challenge the NFL's prohibition against early entry into the NFL by players less than two years removed from high school. He lost his challenge and had to sit out a year. He came back and played for Detroit after being drafted in the first round but he failed miserably.


ultimately I think Blackmon's success or failure will hinge on how hard he worked during his layoff.

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