Kevin Ogletree looking like punt returner

October, 19, 2011
10/19/11
5:24
PM CT
IRVING, Texas -- Because Terence Newman and Dez Bryant play so much on defense and offense, Kevin Ogletree is likely to handle most of the punt return duties Sunday against St. Louis.

Ogletree has one return in his career for no yards.

"What we'd like to be able to do is be able to use each of those guys when we need to use them," Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said. "That's why they'll continue to be back there working in practice and be ready to do it in the game. Terence is a starter as well [as Bryant], and you've just got to manage that situation as best you can. Kevin Ogletree has done a nice job back there in practice catching the punts. He’s been doing it since the start of training camp. We just want to maximize that opportunity and at the same time make sure we're securing the football."

The job opened up after the Cowboys cut rookie Dwayne Harris to make room for guard Daniel Loper. Harris averaged 6.6 yards per punt return. Bryant had two returned punts for touchdowns as a rookie last year but was injured on his only return this season against the New York Jets.

"Dez wasn't a full-time starting player last year at receiver, so we felt we could give him some more return opportunities," Garrett said. "We feel he's a dynamic returner. At the same time, he's our starting X receiver, so you've got to be selective in how you use those guys in the return game. He has to continue to catch punts and even catch some kickoffs as well and if he's needed to do that, he has to be ready to do that. But you try to get some of your starting players off of some of those special teams as much as they can, because they're playing so many plays on offense and defense."
Todd Archer joined ESPNDallas.com in November 2010. He's covered the NFL since 1997 and the Cowboys since 2003. He covered the Bengals and Dolphins before arriving in Dallas. A Massachusetts native, Archer lives in the Dallas area with his wife and two children.

ESPN Conversations


You must be signed in to post a comment

Already have an account?

103.3 FM ESPN PODCASTS

Ben & Skin: Matt Mosley

Galloway & Company's Matt Mosley chats about the window closing for the Dallas Cowboys, and just how close they are to the New York Giants.

Coop & Nate: Cowboys Window

Coop and Nate discuss Jerry Jones' comments about the window closing on the Cowboys' championship hopes.

Ben & Skin: Mike and Mike

Mike and Mike join Ben and Skin to discuss Jerry Jones' window and the Mavs future. They don't see Dirk Nowitzki leaving even if the Mavs miss out on the dream of Deron Williams or Dwight Howard.

Ben & Skin: Mike Jenkins Talk

Jean-Jacques Taylor gives us the latest on Mike Jenkins' desire to be traded. The Cowboys' star doesn't mean as much to players as it used to.

Coop & Nate: Mike Jenkins

Coop and Nate discuss the latest on the Cowboys and Mike Jenkins. Jenkins just needs to get starting out of his mind. He has to show that he is worth the money being paid.

Ben & Skin: Most Important Figures

Ben and Skin discuss the three most important figures for the Rangers, Mavs, and Cowboys. Who is the most vital to the ultimate success of each organization?

TEAM LEADERS

PASSING
Tony Romo
ATT COMP YDS TD
522 346 4184 31
RUSHINGCARYDSAVGTD
D. Murray 164 897 5.5 2
F. Jones 127 575 4.5 1
RECEIVINGRECYDSAVGTD
J. Witten 79 942 11.9 5
D. Bryant 63 928 14.7 9

DALLAS CALENDAR

  •    There are no games scheduled for today.
  •    There are no games scheduled for today.
  •    There are no games scheduled for today.
  •    There are no games scheduled for today.
  •    There are no games scheduled for today.