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Dallas may end up relying on wide receiver Kevin Ogletree, who was once called “stupid” by quarterback Tony Romo.
Photo: Edward A. Ornelas/eaornelas@express-news.net / © SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS (NFS)
IRVING — All of those complaints about Tony Romo's lack of vocal leadership rang hollow when he was asked recently about the Dallas Cowboys' young receivers.
The competition for the No. 3 spot that became vacant when Laurent Robinson signed with Jacksonville is expected to be fierce, and the veteran quarterback made it clear he'll have a say in who emerges as the winner.
“We want someone to come in and grab that spot,” Romo said firmly. “Guys got to work their butt off and got to get a rapport with me. They got to do the things the right way. They got to know the offense.
“When they do that, they'll have a great chance.”
The “rapport” part of the equation is vitally important to Romo after the chemistry he enjoyed last season with Robinson.
With a talent for improvisation, Robinson became Romo's favorite red-zone target and finished with a team-high 11 touchdowns.
The Cowboys apparently aren't interested in adding a veteran free agent to bolster depth behind Miles Austin and Dez Bryant, so that likely means youngsters Danny Coale, Dwayne Harris, Andre Holmes, Kevin Ogletree and Raymond Radway will battle it out.
Round 1 of the competition will be at a three-day minicamp that starts today at Valley Ranch. The winner probably won't be named until well into training camp in Oxnard, Calif., or perhaps deep into the preseason.
“It's fairly open,” receivers coach Jimmy Robinson said. “We're not even close to saying who that guy is.”
Ogletree is the only one of the five who has caught a pass in an NFL game. He's had a strong offseason, but the big question marks on the three-year vet's résumé include his inability to hold onto the No. 3 job coming out of training camp last year and the tongue lashing he received from Romo for some bad route running in a division game.
“It's a great opportunity for me,” said Ogletree, who received a one-year deal in March worth about $650,000 despite being called “stupid” by Romo.
An alum of Division II Hillsdale (Mich.) College, Holmes carries 223 pounds on a 6-foot-5 frame after bulking up in the offseason. He also improved his knowledge of the offense.
“I feel like my routes are a lot tighter, and I'm getting out of my breaks better,” Holmes said.
A former track star from McKinney North in the Dallas area and Abilene Christian, Radway was poised to make the final roster last season before he suffered a season-ending broken left leg late in the preseason finale.
“He kind of looks like he did before he got hurt,” Jimmy Robinson said.
Harris and Coale are the only draft picks among the five. A sixth-round pick in 2011 out of East Carolina, Harris spent most of last season on the practice squad. Coale, a fifth-round pick this spring from Virginia Tech, broke his left foot during offseason workouts and likely won't be ready until training camp.
One thing is certain: The winner will have Romo's trust.
“We're just trying to find the guy who can do the things we want to do,” Romo said.
Rookies signed: The Cowboys on Monday announced the signing of three late-round draft picks: Coale, tight end James Hanna (sixth round) and linebacker Caleb McSurdy (seventh).
The three rookies agreed to four-year deals.
torsborn@express-news.net
