2009 outlook: Blackmon (6-foot, 206 pounds) plays an important role on defense and special teams. While the fourth cornerback doesn’t play nearly as much as the nickel cornerback, the Packers have six games against the NFC North’s star quarterbacks, as well as matchups against pass-happy Cincinnati and Arizona. He’s been a below-average cornerback (four passes defensed, no interceptions in three seasons) and could be supplanted by Pat Lee. Nonetheless, he’s a mainstay on special teams, where he led the Packers in tackles, was one of the NFL’s top punt returners and figures to be the main character as they try to upgrade last year’s last-ranked kickoff return.

2007: Thumb and foot injuries hampered Blackmon in 2007, a year after he was limited to just four games with foot and rib injuries. ... Played in nine games with one start, and was listed as inactive for the other seven regular season games. ... Was not on the 45-man game day roster for either of Green Bay’s playoff games. ... A dynamic punt returner (13.3 yard avg. on eight returns, including a 57-yard return for a touchdown Dec. 9 against Oakland).

2006: Selected by Packers in the fourth April’s NFL draft. ... Broke a bone in his foot during the final practice of a May minicamp, causing him to miss all of the team’s voluntary workouts in June, and all of training camp. ... Attempted a comeback in early September, but aggravated the injury. When he got over the foot injury, he played in four games as a reserve, then injured his ribs Nov. 12 at Minnesota and wound up on injured reserve.

College
With Boston College lacking veteran depth at wide receiver, Blackmon shifted to split end in 2005. ... He showcased his ball skills with a team-leading 763 yards on 51 receptions (15.0 yard average) with four touchdowns. ... In 2004, became first player in school history to return a punt and kickoff for touchdowns in the same season. ... Took over as started left cornerback in 2003. Started 22 times at left cornerback and 12 times at split end. ... Closed out his career defensively with 141 tackles and eight interceptions. ... Returned 114 kickoffs for 2,803 yards, both school records.