There were some harsh truths dealt to Blue in the offseason, but instead of blaming others, he took it on board and is now having a good start to camp.
Jaydon Blue's rookie season with the Dallas Cowboys was one to forget, as he was on the outer edges, having to work on his game in the shadows.
Barely seen in the regular season, Blue's only "real" work came in Week 18 when the year was done, and he looked good, with his trademark speed on show.
But Dallas didn't draft him to play just five games in his rookie year, and he had to work through several issues with pad level and patience when running the football.
Now, this offseason, Blue looks like a completely different player. By his own words, he's more mature, and he's taking this thing far more seriously than he did a year ago. And the results have been noticeable in Oxnard, with Jaydon stacking good day after good day, with his long touchdown run the highlight.
It does seem like whatever was said to him at the end of the year, the criticism of what happened in Year 1, was taken on board, and Blue revealed how he used those talks to transform himself in Year 2.
"Absolutely," Blue said. "I knew that there was some constructive criticism that was going to come with it, but that's all a part of it. I took that as motivation, and I also looked myself in the mirror, I got to be better if I want to be where I want to be."
Self-awareness is hard to come by for some in today's world, but Blue has it in abundance, and that thought process has now seen him become one of the constants in Oxnard.
He's getting a lot of work with the first team, ripping off big runs, and also showing his chops as a receiver. It is clear that Blue is a different player than a year ago.
In truth, he had to be. Part of Dallas' "Thunder and Lightning" plan with Javonte Williams, it was all laid out in front of Blue this offseason, and so far, he's met every challenge and looked good doing it.
But what makes him different from the player we saw a year ago?
“Just being more intentional,” Blue added. “This offseason, my main priority was just making sure that I stayed in the playbook and was doing the things that the coaches was asking me to do. I took that to the heart.
"I'm having a great camp so far. I didn't want to come in here and start slow, like I did last year. I wanted to make sure I came in here and started fast and prove myself.”
And yes, it has only been a little over a week, but Blue has already made everyone take notice.
When a player has some harsh truths dealt to them, it can go one of two ways, and for Blue, he's gone the right way and used it to better himself as a player and person.
And the reward? A significant role on one of the NFL's best offenses.
