DC.com | Ogletree Leads Way In 3rd WR Race
Derek Genovese
Staff Writer
SAN ANTONIO – If head coach Jason Garrett has a theme of training camp or a message to his players, it would be: "This is their time," a statement he has reiterated many times so far.
For Kevin Ogletree, it seems like this is his time more than ever.
With Roy Williams and Sam Hurd now in Chicago and Dez Bryant moving up to second on the depth chart, the next most experienced receiver on the roster is Kevin Ogletree.
Ogletree is in his third year with the Cowboys and has yet to take the jump to the next level of play. In two seasons with the Cowboys, he has played in 11 games and accumulated 10 catches for 130 yards. Ogletree attributes his mediocrity to his youth and mental awareness.
"It's a process, Coach Garrett always talks about that, I think this is a big part of the process right here," Ogletree said.
The 2010 season was a disappointment across the board and Ogletree was also let down by his performance. Last year, he finished the season on injured reserve with a dislocated toe, but now he is healthy and ready to go. Still, Ogletree is looking at the bigger picture.
"It's our time," Ogletree said. "This team is really excited to bounce back after last year and I know I want to be a big part of it. I'm going to work my butt off to do that," Ogletree said.
While most teams will have their hands full covering the trio of austin, Bryant and Witten, Ogletree could come up big in games with talented secondary units, such as the Eagles.
While for now it is all hype, on paper the combination of Asante Samuel, Nnamdi Asomugha, and Dominique Rodgers-Cromarti pose a threat to the Cowboys receiving core. Ogletree does not need to have an All-Pro performance to contribute to the team. His job is to win his matchups against other team's third and fourth string defensive backs.
Ogletree came out of the University of Virginia in 2009, along with Cowboy's tight end John Phillips. After his junior season he went undrafted. In addition to Phillips, tight ends coach John Garrett also hails from the UVA. Garrett was a key player in obtaining Ogletree after the draft. He was picked up as a free agent and eventually made the cut on the 53-man roster.
Phillips has nothing but praise for his friend and teammate of seven years. "He is very gifted athletically, with the way he runs and the way he gets open. If that guy gets going the right way he is tough to cover," Phillips said.
New wide receiver coach Jimmy Robinson agrees.
"He can run, he's quick, and he's smart," Robinson said. "He understands the position. He's got tools. He's got to use those and develop consistency and accountability to where he can be counted on by his teammates and his coaches."
Head coach Jason Garrett expects Ogletree to be ahead of the pack because he is the most experienced receiver competing for the third position. Rookies Dwayne Harris, Manuel Johnson and Raymond Radway are currently the frontrunners challenging Ogletree for snaps on offense as well as special teams.
Ogletree is entering the final year of his contract and will be a restricted free agent in 2012. It is no secret that players step up their game if their contract is up for renewal. Ogletree is motivated to improve because of the team's performance last year, or he is motivated to earn his next contract. Either way, it's good for the Cowboys in 2011.
Derek Genovese
Staff Writer
SAN ANTONIO – If head coach Jason Garrett has a theme of training camp or a message to his players, it would be: "This is their time," a statement he has reiterated many times so far.
For Kevin Ogletree, it seems like this is his time more than ever.
With Roy Williams and Sam Hurd now in Chicago and Dez Bryant moving up to second on the depth chart, the next most experienced receiver on the roster is Kevin Ogletree.
Ogletree is in his third year with the Cowboys and has yet to take the jump to the next level of play. In two seasons with the Cowboys, he has played in 11 games and accumulated 10 catches for 130 yards. Ogletree attributes his mediocrity to his youth and mental awareness.
"It's a process, Coach Garrett always talks about that, I think this is a big part of the process right here," Ogletree said.
The 2010 season was a disappointment across the board and Ogletree was also let down by his performance. Last year, he finished the season on injured reserve with a dislocated toe, but now he is healthy and ready to go. Still, Ogletree is looking at the bigger picture.
"It's our time," Ogletree said. "This team is really excited to bounce back after last year and I know I want to be a big part of it. I'm going to work my butt off to do that," Ogletree said.
While most teams will have their hands full covering the trio of austin, Bryant and Witten, Ogletree could come up big in games with talented secondary units, such as the Eagles.
While for now it is all hype, on paper the combination of Asante Samuel, Nnamdi Asomugha, and Dominique Rodgers-Cromarti pose a threat to the Cowboys receiving core. Ogletree does not need to have an All-Pro performance to contribute to the team. His job is to win his matchups against other team's third and fourth string defensive backs.
Ogletree came out of the University of Virginia in 2009, along with Cowboy's tight end John Phillips. After his junior season he went undrafted. In addition to Phillips, tight ends coach John Garrett also hails from the UVA. Garrett was a key player in obtaining Ogletree after the draft. He was picked up as a free agent and eventually made the cut on the 53-man roster.
Phillips has nothing but praise for his friend and teammate of seven years. "He is very gifted athletically, with the way he runs and the way he gets open. If that guy gets going the right way he is tough to cover," Phillips said.
New wide receiver coach Jimmy Robinson agrees.
"He can run, he's quick, and he's smart," Robinson said. "He understands the position. He's got tools. He's got to use those and develop consistency and accountability to where he can be counted on by his teammates and his coaches."
Head coach Jason Garrett expects Ogletree to be ahead of the pack because he is the most experienced receiver competing for the third position. Rookies Dwayne Harris, Manuel Johnson and Raymond Radway are currently the frontrunners challenging Ogletree for snaps on offense as well as special teams.
Ogletree is entering the final year of his contract and will be a restricted free agent in 2012. It is no secret that players step up their game if their contract is up for renewal. Ogletree is motivated to improve because of the team's performance last year, or he is motivated to earn his next contract. Either way, it's good for the Cowboys in 2011.