On the surface, it might sound like Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer was being optimistic about the prospects for rookie running back Jaydon Blue, the team’s fifth-round pick who has shown impressive flashes of speed going back to training camp, to get on the field in the final three games of the season. That’s Schottenheimer’s nature–he tends to spin things in a positive light, even if he’s delivering bad news.
It would make sense if Blue did–the Cowboys are virtually out of the playoff hunt and probably should see how their young guy looks as the year wind down. But Blue has had chances throughout the year, most notably going back to Week 5, when he made a run as the backup to Javonte Williams. But that run lasted only four weeks, and by Week 9, he was replaced on the depth chart by Malik Davis.
Blue went for a total of 65 yards on 22 carries in the four games in which he has appeared. But he has not played since the Cowboys’ loss to Denver at the end of October.
Jaydon Blue Still Needs to Earn Playing Time
When asked about Blue on Friday at The Star, Schottenheimer was straightforward. Sure, Blue could play. All he has to do is meet the requirements the team has had on him for attention to detail and professionalism all season.
Said Schottenheimer: “Yeah, again, if he earns the right to do it, absolutely. He’s no different than the other guys. I see flashes from Jaydon all the time. I see that the talent is real. The standard is not always met, just being quite honest and frank with you guys—I’m not saying anything I haven’t said to Jaydon.
“But if he keeps working and continues to do a great job in his preparation and all that, then of course he can earn the right to play.”
(Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)Head coach Brian Schottenheimer of the Dallas Cowboys
Cowboys Still Have Hope
Again, that might sound like the Cowboys opening a door for Blue to play in Week 16. But actually, it is the same standard Schottenheimer has laid out for Blue all season–practice harder, study harder, know the game better, and you’ll play.
Fail to meet the standard and you won’t. And nothing in Schottenheimer’s answer about Blue suggested that Blue has suddenly upped his professionalism. Still, there is hope for Blue.
He made his mark last season for Texas with his versatility, rushing for 730 yards on 133 carries, and adding 368 yards receiving on 42 catches. He had 146 yards and two touchdowns for the Longhorns in their playoff win over Clemson, but was shut down in the next two games, going for just 20 yards on eight carries in the quarterfinals and semifinals.
The Cowboys liked his speed coming out of college, with a 4.38 40-yard dash at the Combine, and felt he was a steal in the fifth round. So far, though, the Cowboys seem to be finding out why, exactly, Blue was still on the board in the fifth round in the first place.
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