When training camp began, Cowboys wide receiver Kevin Ogletree might have been viewed as the team's tenth or eleventh receiver. But, now after three preseason games, Ogletree may be on his way to landing a spot on the roster.
"He runs good routes," said Wade Phillips, head coach. "The guy has got a lot of good things going for him, and he has been consistent with it. We said it OTAs, 'This guy, wow, this guy looks good.'"
Coming out of Virginia, Ogletree was disappointed that he wasn't drafted, so he has been trying to make an impression. So far, the coaches said he's doing just that, making an impression by making plays. As a rookie free agent, Ogletree has little room for error.
"It's a privilege to be out there with Tony Romo," Ogletree said. "I tell him that. He knows that. We're just trying to get that rhythm going and trying to be there for him. You just want to be dependable. You want to be a guy when you're called up to do something, you come through. And that's what I'm trying to do, to be that guy."
Against the Titans in the second pre-season game, Ogletree caught a pass from Jon Kitna for a touchdown. But, it was late in the game Saturday night against the 49ers that he got to play with the first team after wide receivers Roy Williams and Sam Hurd were injured.
"He's made a real positive impression on all of us," said Jason Garrett, the offensive coordinator. "There's a tendency to say, 'Hey, he's playing in the second half of games. He's playing against young guys.' This was an opportunity for him to go against some guys who have played in this league before, veteran players, and I thought he did a good job."
Ogletree is also showing that he can make plays on special teams and as a young receiver, which may be where his real value lies.
"I can't wait to hopefully be around during the season to be with this team," he said.?"It's an honor. Every chance I get I'm going to try and make a play."
Careers aren't made in the pre-season, but Ogletree's play is making it harder and harder for him to be ignored.
