Back in early June, Jacksonville Jaguars first-round pick Justin Blackmon was arrested for an aggravated DUI in Stillwater, Okla., early one morning. This was Blackmon's second DUI offense in the past two years, the first coming while he was still at Oklahoma State, but according to Tania Ganguli of The Florida Times-Union, the DUI arrest is affecting contract negotiations.
This collective bargaining agreement gives the Jaguars a little more freedom to protect themselves in case of future off-the-field problems.
Offset language gives a team relief if they release a player with a guaranteed contract and he signs with another team. Without the offset language, the player can double-dip. With offset language, the player's old team would be off the hook for the amount the new team pays him.
I spoke with someone familiar with the negotiations who wasn't sure Blackmon's deal would get done by the start of training camp. He and third-round punter Bryan Anger are still unsigned.
While Blackmon's agent is doing his job in trying to get the best deal for his client, there is no way the Jaguars cannot put those types of provisions in the deal to cover themselves in case Blackmon has another run-in with alcohol or anything else.
Blackmon is set to appear in court on July 24 for a hearing on his DUI.
Keep up with this story as it develops on our Justin Blackmon DUI StoryStream. For more on the Jaguars, visit Big Cat Country. For more on Oklahoma State, head to Cowboys Ride For Free.
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