As to "why" you have to do a Reset, I think it must have something to do with having been saved the way it was. Because I ran with a blank configuration (CIN_CONFIG=/tmp/bcast1 ./bin/cin), loaded the sample .xml file, deleted the Chromakey plugin on the timeline (because we already agreed it has a problem), clicked on Rest for the Blur plugin, THEN SAVED the xml. Next time I loaded that .xml, there was no need for a Reset in Blur.
However, since I am making a minor change for the LUT information in the Manual, I will add a line to the Blur plugin to suggest it things look weird, to start fresh with the Reset button.