Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Player Profile: Kevin Ogletree

http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/dallas-cowboys/headlines/20110223-sturm_s-cowboys-analysis-ogletree-has-more-speed-than-security.ece


Kevin Ogletree
Position: Wide Receiver
Size: 6'1, 196
Age: 23, 8/5/87
College: Virginia
Drafted: Undrafted in 2009
Experience: 2 Seasons

Salary History and Contract Status - 2011: $480,000, 2012: Restricted Free Agent

2009 Draft Profile From Ourlads.com:18th rated WR in 2009 - Kevin Ogletree - Virginia - 6'0 - 196 - 4.40 - Junior entry. Two-year starter. Good athlete with rare speed. Team's leading receiver. Good body control. Can improve his route running. May not play as fast as timed. Majored in under and crossing routes as a role player in the Cavs offense. No hold up on the line. Uses his quickness against jam coverage. Good lateral quickness. Gets back on his route if he's jammed inside. Catches the ball into his body as much as he catches it in his hands. Played with an inconsistent QB in 2008 which may be part of the problem. Has made the difficult catch. Average run after catch ability. Good football intelligence. Can find the open spots in zone and make on the field route adjustments. Already graduated from Virginia. Willing to inline block. Good effort on downfield blocking. Good worker. Slender build with an injury history. Tore his anterior cruciate ligament as a junior. Fourth/Fifth Round.

Pre-2010: The darling of the 2009 training camp, there was much rejoicing among observers of the team that Kevin Ogletree made the final 53-man roster for the Cowboys his rookie season. As he was brought more and more up to speed, the Cowboys attempted to use his rare skills in a special package that was unveiled with 2 giant WR screen passes at Philadelphia in Week 9 of 2009. He then emerged again as a big contributor in the Wild Card win against the Eagles as it became rather obvious that Jason Garrett wanted to back off the Eagles blitz packages with some quick-out passes. And at the time, the best player for the job was this undrafted Free Agent rookie from Virginia. There was reason to believe that the Cowboys may have hit on yet another undrafted WR who can contribute for the squad.

2010: This season, Ogletree ran into the far more difficult times. First, he had an uneven training camp that did not get things going in the right direction. But, after Patrick Crayton was moved, he was thought to be the main beneficiary. However, in Week 5, Ogletree and Alan Ball were blamed for a kickoff coverage busts that Marc Mariani took to their side of the field in a crucial return late in the Tennessee game. That led to his healthy scratch in 7 consecutive games, a mark that obviously had everyone seeing his spot on the roster in full jeopardy. Dressed in Week 13 at Indianapolis, he seemed ready to enjoy some of the benefits of Dez Bryant's injury, but he think quickly suffered a toe injury of his own that had him put on Injured Reserve after the Philadelphia game in Week 14. It was just one of those years.

2011 Analysis: The Cowboys really want him to succeed. He has 4.4 speed, which is the best in the group of Wide Receivers and the toughest reason to every say goodbye. The trouble is, he appears to be rather risky on special teams so he has to be able to really help the offense. So far, his only route that seems to be effective is the quick bubble screen. And that 1-trick will not be enough. If the Cowboys could combine the special teams ability of Jesse Holley and the pass catching potential of Ogletree, they would feel great about the situation. But, as it stands, it will be up to the management to see if they want to keep Roy Williams and Sam Hurd around. If they do, Ogletree's spot is in great danger. But, if those cost-cutting moves are made, Ogletree will have a great chance to step up and grab the #3 WR spot in camp. Developmental players take time, but this 2011 season is going to be a big one for the "toolsy" player from Virginia.

Previous Profiles:
Doug Free
Marc Colombo
Sam Young
Alex Barron
DeMarcus Ware
Anthony Spencer
Victor Butler
Brandon Williams
Jason Witten
Martellus Bennett
John Phillips
Bradie James
Keith Brooking
Sean Lee
Leon Williams
Sam Hurd
Roy Williams
Miles Austin
Dez Bryant

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