Coming off a rookie season that was full of disappointment, Dallas Cowboys running back Jaydon Blue seems to have a completely different mindset heading into Year 2. His maturity and awareness from a season ago is apparently night and day compared to what it was at this point last year, at least according to him.
“I’m a completely different person than I was this time last year,” Blue said. “I think I made a whole 180 from where I was last year. I’ve gotten a lot better… I’m ready to go.”
Claiming he’s “ready to go” and proving it to the coaching staff and his teammates are two different things. It was his inconsistency in practice and his lack of maturity that kept him sidelined for much of his rookie season, something he’s trying to put behind them and improve upon currently.
“I didn’t start off like I should’ve,” Blue said. “Whether was not practicing the right way, or on a maturity level, I think I wasn’t really there. But, now, learning from all the vets and having the offseason that I’ve had, I think I’m ready to go.
“… I wanna make sure that this year, and in the coming years, it’s not a problem for me.”
As they say, the proof is in the pudding. Blue certainly sounds as if he’s turned over new leaf and is approaching things with much more professionalism, however, consistency in both practice and attacking the playbook will ultimately determine what kind of role he can earn entering his sophomore season.
If No. 23 has indeed “made a whole 180”, it would be great news for the Cowboys. With an open competition behind Javonte Williams to find his primary backup, Blue could be the ideal candidate. His home-run ability as a runner and receiver out of the backfield would add an entirely different element to Dallas’ already potent offense.
The talent is undeniable. That was never the question for Blue. If he can continue to mature professionally and learn from those around him the sky is the limit of what he could accomplish in the NFL. So far, he’s doing both and it seems to be paying off.
“The game has slowed down completely for me,” Blue said. “I’m in the playbook every chance I get. I’m learning from Dak and some of the older guys on this offense do those things.”
Hopefully he can stay the course and continue to improve professionally as well as become a sponge soaking up all of the useful information possible from both his teammates and coaching staff the rest of the offseason. If he does, he could be a big part of Dallas’ offense this year.
Are you buying Blue as RB2 this year? Will we see a different player come training camp?