Blue has been productive this offseason, and while he has done some nice things, Brian Schottenheimer gave the running back a warning.
FRISCO - This offseason was always going to be a big one for Dallas Cowboys running back Jaydon Blue.
After a rookie season that was so-so, he knew he had to come to preseason ready to take his game to the next level, both physically and mentally.
And through three preseason games, you can make the case that Blue did so.
But alas, none of it was enough to warrant winning the backup running back job.
That job belongs to Malik Davis. ... as on Sunday, Blue - and fellow second-year back Phil Mafah - were both cut ahead of the 5 p.m. Sunday deadline.
And the move on Texas Longhorns ex Blue registers as a shocker.
The fact that we have seen improvement in Blue is a positive. ... and maybe once he clears waivers, he can rejoin coach Brian Schottenheimer's offense.
"He came back with a different mentality, which is great," Schottenheimer said. "He's always been extremely bright and picked up the scheme very, very well. It's been good for us to see him take the next step in certain areas, whether it's pass protection, in the return game, but I noticed it.
"I noticed it early on that there was a little bit different intentionality about him."
So, the head coach has taken notice.
Unfortunately for Blue, Davis outplayed him.
So he, Mafah and Israel Abanikanda are all gone.
Javonte Williams is the starter, but behind him? It's a thin group of backs (we have to include fullback Hunter Luepke here) who are fighting for their NFL lives.
Blue could of course get called back, to the practice squad or even to the roster. But that much-ballyhooed "Thunder and Lightning'' vision featuring him behind Javonte?
That plan has very much changed.
