ESPN Mosley: Ogletree turning heads in Dallas

[Stautner]

dont confuse what I am saying, I like and have always liked crayton. He has been a very good player for us.

however, he is expensive, older and does not seperate.

Ogletree is younger, faster, plays special teams also and cheaper.

Again. I dont care about ogletree's stats. These guys just havent done anything until they do it. I think when we get to the season he will be one of the guys who can do it.

We see it happen all the time around the league at wr and running back.

The biggest factor to me is how much it appears romo likes him.

For as little as ogletree played we saw him get open deep, make a terrific catch on the sideline, catch a ball short and make guys miss and return kicks.

Now to me it is just a matter of opportunity.

I understand what you are saying, but why would Crayton be the odd man out rather than Hurd? Is Hurd's ability to make a tackle on special teams a bigger consideration than a having a WR who the team knows can catch teh ball and put up at least respectible numbers? If Ogletree were a proven guy I would think hurd's case would be stronger, but since he isn't i would think the team would be more interested in keeping teh guy who provides proven insurance at WR.

 

[AsthmaField]

I understand what you are saying, but why would Crayton be the odd man out rather than Hurd? Is Hurd's ability to make a tackle on special teams a bigger consideration than a having a WR who the team knows can catch teh ball and put up at least respectible numbers? If Ogletree were a proven guy I would think hurd's case would be stronger, but since he isn't i would think the team would be more interested in keeping teh guy who provides proven insurance at WR.

Not answering for him... but if the team feels like Hurd can deal with being the 5th WR better than Crayton would, then they might keep Sam.

1) Austin
2) Williams
3) Bryant
4) Ogletree
5) Crayton/Hurd

Otherwise, I'm sure they would keep Crayton over Hurd. If you had to have one start, Crayton is the easy answer. However, to only have one there (5th) in case of injury, then I could see the team possibly going with Hurd.

 

[JohnsKey19]

I understand what you are saying, but why would Crayton be the odd man out rather than Hurd? Is Hurd's ability to make a tackle on special teams a bigger consideration than a having a WR who the team knows can catch teh ball and put up at least respectible numbers? If Ogletree were a proven guy I would think hurd's case would be stronger, but since he isn't i would think the team would be more interested in keeping teh guy who provides proven insurance at WR.

I'm not saying this will happen...but if the coaches believe Austin, Williams, Bryant and Ogletree are all legitimate pass catchers, i tend to believe that Hurd's contribution on STs along with his ability as a WR would be more valuable than Crayton's ability as a WR. This doesn't mean that Hurd is necessarily better than Crayton but the better player doesn't always win when a staff is trying to build a team.

 

[theebs]

I understand what you are saying, but why would Crayton be the odd man out rather than Hurd? Is Hurd's ability to make a tackle on special teams a bigger consideration than a having a WR who the team knows can catch teh ball and put up at least respectible numbers? If Ogletree were a proven guy I would think hurd's case would be stronger, but since he isn't i would think the team would be more interested in keeping teh guy who provides proven insurance at WR.

well your asking a different question.

I dont think hurd has a chance to make the roster because of the numbers.

We are going to be heavy in the secondary and I think on the line.

So from a sheer numbers point I dont think hurd has a chance.

again though, I like hurd. But its the nature of the business to replace backups with younger backups with a bigger upside.

So really with Austin, Bryant, Ogletree, Williams active on game day I dont know if a 5th would be neccessary.

If they keep 5 and plan to activate them all then I think hurd will be here.

But if they are going to deactivate the 5th wr on gameday then I think hurd will be relased and someone like manny johnson will have that spot.

I like hurd and crayton though and I would love to see 1 of them still be here, but by the nature of the buisess and the formality of the 45 man roster on gameday I am not sure either makes sense to keep as the 5th wr who will be deactivated on game day. Typically you do not deactivate a veteran wr like that.

 

[speedkilz88]

Kevin Ogletree on The Ben & Skin Show
June, 4, 2010
Jun 4
1:22
PM CT

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By ESPNDallas.com
Cowboys WR Kevin Ogletree joins Ben and Skin to talk about OTA's, his buddy Miles Austin and much more.

Listen Click here for the podcast.

http://espn.go.com/blog/dallas/cowboys

Dez was also on The Coop & Nate Show, podcast is available.

 

[Stautner]

Not answering for him... but if the team feels like Hurd can deal with being the 5th WR better than Crayton would, then they might keep Sam.

1) Austin
2) Williams
3) Bryant
4) Ogletree
5) Crayton/Hurd

Otherwise, I'm sure they would keep Crayton over Hurd. If you had to have one start, Crayton is the easy answer. However, to only have one there (5th) in case of injury, then I could see the team possibly going with Hurd.

Obviously if they think Hurd can handle the recieiving end better than Crayton they would keep him because he is younger, cheaper, and better on special teams. The thing is there has never been a shred of evidence the team feels he is a better receiver than Crayton or anyone else on the team.

I'm not saying this will happen...but if the coaches believe Austin, Williams, Bryant and Ogletree are all legitimate pass catchers, i tend to believe that Hurd's contribution on STs along with his ability as a WR would be more valuable than Crayton's ability as a WR. This doesn't mean that Hurd is necessarily better than Crayton but the better player doesn't always win when a staff is trying to build a team.

This basic idea makes sense, but the reason I see it differently is that 3 of the 4 receivers you named carry obvious uncertainties. Williams because he has fallen on his face so far in Dallas, Bryant because he has yet to catch an NFL pass, and Ogletree because he has only caught a few more NFL passes than Bryant. If some of those guys were more proven I would feel differently, but since they aren't I would think carrying a proven guy would be the better plan to cover our butts.

well your asking a different question.

I dont think hurd has a chance to make the roster because of the numbers.

We are going to be heavy in the secondary and I think on the line.

So from a sheer numbers point I dont think hurd has a chance.

again though, I like hurd. But its the nature of the business to replace backups with younger backups with a bigger upside.

So really with Austin, Bryant, Ogletree, Williams active on game day I dont know if a 5th would be neccessary.

If they keep 5 and plan to activate them all then I think hurd will be here.

But if they are going to deactivate the 5th wr on gameday then I think hurd will be relased and someone like manny johnson will have that spot.

I like hurd and crayton though and I would love to see 1 of them still be here, but by the nature of the buisess and the formality of the 45 man roster on gameday I am not sure either makes sense to keep as the 5th wr who will be deactivated on game day. Typically you do not deactivate a veteran wr like that.

Didn't we typically have all 5 WR's activated all the time last year? I believe there were a few games all 5 actually caught passes.

 

[theebs]

Obviously if they think Hurd can handle the recieiving end better than Crayton they would keep him because he is younger, cheaper, and better on special teams. The thing is there has never been a shred of evidence the team feels he is a better receiver than Crayton or anyone else on the team.



This basic idea makes sense, but the reason I see it differently is that 3 of the 4 receivers you named carry obvious uncertainties. Williams because he has fallen on his face so far in Dallas, Bryant because he has yet to catch an NFL pass, and Ogletree because he has only caught a few more NFL passes than Bryant. If some of those guys were more proven I would feel differently, but since they aren't I would think carrying a proven guy would be the better plan to cover our butts.



Didn't we typically have all 5 WR's activated all the time last year? I believe there were a few games all 5 actually caught passes.

Not typically. Last year ogletree was inactive until kansas city and that was because of the injury to roy who was inactive.

then when roy came back ogletree went back to being incative for a couple of games. I cant remember when he was active again, I wil have to look it up.

But I dont think the team wants to waste a spot on the 5th wr this year when they can get so much out of the 4 they will activate.

and what you will be missing is hurds coverage ability on special teams and I think we will see ogletree or a secondary player pick up that slack.

again though, if they keep hurd and make him active that is only better for us, but I just cant seem them keeping hurd or crayton and then deactivating them every week. That would be a pretty crappy thing to do.

 

[AsthmaField]

Obviously if they think Hurd can handle the recieiving end better than Crayton they would keep him because he is younger, cheaper, and better on special teams. The thing is there has never been a shred of evidence the team feels he is a better receiver than Crayton or anyone else on the team.

I'm not saying Hurd is a better WR than Crayton. He isn't. What I'm saying is that if (IF) Austin, Williams, Bryant, and Ogletree turn out to be the number 1-4 receivers... then the team might feel like Hurd would be a better team mate in that 5th slot more so than Crayton would be.

IOW, Crayton might rock the boat being buried down the depth chart, while Hurd might not.

Now, I do understand that you are saying Williams, Bryant and Ogletree aren't nearly as proven as Crayton, and I agree. What I'm saying is that (IF) after all of training camp and 5 preseason games the team feels like Crayton is going to be 5th, they might go with Hurd instead.

You are most likely correct though. They probably will keep Crayton over Hurd.

 

[bayeslife]

What a wonderful problem to have.

 

[28 Joker]

The Cowboys left too many points on the field last year. I agree. This team needs more explosion on offense, and the guys are on the team to give it to them, but you have to turn them loose.

Felix Jones is more than ready to take the NFL by storm and make a run at All Pro. If the football is given to Felix Jones enough, Felix would make the Pro Bowl, and his name would start to pop up in MVP discussion, imo. Felix is better than McFadden, and he will prove it if you give him the ball. If this three back rotation continues, Dallas is going to pay the price on the field, imso. If anything, Barber is the guy who should see his time cut. I'd go with Felix Jones and Tashard Choice.

IMO, the Cowboys will not live up to their potential as a team until Felix Jones is unleashed. That means no more 9 carry games for 91 yards against the Giants. Turn him loose. That second NY game should have been a 150+ yard game for the cat. 9 bloody carries... That is ridiculous.

Felix Jones
Dez Bryant
Kevin Ogletree

Speed kills, and it should lead to the points that the Cowboys left on the field last year. However, you have to get the ball in these players' hands.

I have to tell you, with the way Dallas has treated Felix Jones, I'm not to optimistic about Ogletree getting on the field enough.

 

[Real1st]

More speed at the position.

Get rid of Hurd and Crayton.

Crayton has reliable hands but its time for Dez and Olgetree to take over.

 

[DallasEast]

Several years ago, Bill Parcell's gave an interview where he addressed this issue. The interview came after a couple pre-season games had been played and the 53-man roster was beginning to take shape. Parcells said that sometimes you have to cut the more experienced, more polished veterans who have already reached their peak. You have to make those cuts because the only chance the team has at getting better is if other guys are given a chance to reach even higher.

This is the situation that the team is currently facing with Patrick Crayton and to a lesser extent, Sam Hurd.

Well said.

 

[kmp77]

A logjam at wideout? It's nice to have these sorts of problems.

And to think way back when, we couldn't even find a decent #2!

 

[TheCount]

*laughs maniacally*

Excellent.

 

[Undisputed]

Ogletree's perfected the little smoke screen that allows him to use his speed to gain big yardage after the catch.

Man, I love that play. Ogletree is one of those potentially game changing players. We really were missing that until Miles stepped up to the plate and before we started giving Felix the rock.

Moving up to the 3rd spot this year is highly highly unlikely though, even IF Roy stinks it up.

 

[CanuckCowboysFan]

noway in hell he passes Dez on the depth chart like it states in the article...

 

[speedkilz88]

noway in hell he passes Dez on the depth chart like it states in the article...

Um, he thinks Roy is going to drop all the way from #2.

 

[ThreeSportStar80]

Kevin Ogletree on The Ben & Skin Show
June, 4, 2010
Jun 4
1:22
PM CT

* Email
* Print
* Comments

By ESPNDallas.com
Cowboys WR Kevin Ogletree joins Ben and Skin to talk about OTA's, his buddy Miles Austin and much more.

Listen Click here for the podcast.

http://espn.go.com/blog/dallas/cowboys

Dez was also on The Coop & Nate Show, podcast is available.

Good stuff...

 

[Randy White]

WRs don't win championships.

 

[hutch1254]

Listen, I like Crayton. He has been very serviceable. He's had a few drops I'd like to grab him and shake him over. I like him as an insurance policy. I like that he does things in the offseason to try and improve himself (Michael Johnson speed camp). End of the day though...he has a mouth and an attitude that is driving in the opposite direction of the team attitude in that locker room. He is serviceable but expendable. Say thank you, good luck and goodbye.