Consistency is one thing that Dallas Cowboys rookie running back Jaydon Blue is struggling to gain as a member of Brian Schottenheimer’s offense, and it’s keeping him from getting more snaps.
Having been a healthy scratch at times this season due to Jaydon needing to be more consistent in practice, to where Miles Sanders’ injury opened the door for him, and once again, he left a lot out on the field in Denver.
Yes, his 29 yards were good, which included a 14-yard run, but he had a fumble that the Dallas offense recovered, and when speaking on Blue, Schottenheimer reverted back to that one word…again.
“Jaydon was inconsistent in the game,” Schottenheimer said. “He did some really good things and things that he’s got to do at a higher level. The fumble was a good hit, he needs to hold on to the ball. He can continue to play and emphasize playing more physical with and without the ball. That’s real. That’s a young back learning the speed of the game, the physicality of the game.
“But to me, I’m always going to go back to the consistency. You can’t put the ball on the ground. You have to be on top of your blitz pickups. You have to do those things.”
More: Cowboys coach blocking out trade deadline rumors
Blue on steep Cowboys learning curve
Blue’s physical talents are there for all to see with his blistering speed and ability to be a receiver out of the backfield, well-known, but that all counts for little if you can’t do the simple things the coaching staff is asking you to do.
And in Javonte Williams, Blue has a veteran he can learn from as he adjusts to life as an NFL pro.
“You’ve got the perfect guy sitting right to your left in Javonte [Williams] to learn from, who was you a couple years ago as a young rookie trying to figure it out,” Schottenheimer added. “Lean on him, Javonte does everything right.”
The talent is clear, but if Blue’s first season has taught us anything, it is that it doesn’t matter how good you are; you have to be putting in the work and bring a level of consistency to your game, which right now, Blue isn’t.
He’s a rookie, so it isn’t the end of the world, but if he wants more than eight carries in a game, he’s got to get more consistency in his game.
More Cowboys news:
