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IRVING, Texas -- The Cowboys held the first of four organized team activities that will be open to the media at Valley Ranch on Wednesday, so we bring you some observations from the two-hour workout:

** Maybe it’s the product of not seeing him throw in four months, but Tony Romo was throwing the ball with a tremendous amount of velocity. Romo went 8-of-11 in team and seven-on-seven drills Wednesday with one drop by TE John Phillips.

** LB Sean Lee looked in midseason form by snuffing out a pass to the flat to FB Lawrence Vickers for what would have been no gain or a short pickup.

** QB Stephen McGee and rookie Tyrone Navikoff had a difficult time with the snap, muffing three before Navikoff was pulled in favor of Bill Nagy. And Nagy’s first snap with McGee went to the ground.

** WR Raymond Radway, who missed his rookie year with a broken ankle, was knocked out of practice briefly after getting poked in the eye.

** Dez Bryant, Kevin Ogletree, Akwasi Owusu-Ansah and Dwayne Harris worked as punt returners. Tim Benford, Radway and Lance Dunbar handled kick returns.

** With OLB DeMarcus Ware missing the workout, Victor Butler was with the starters and showed good awareness on a reverse by Harris by not allowing the wide receiver to get outside. Anthony Spencer did the same later in practice on a reverse to Miles Austin.

** WR Andre Holmes made a nice grab on a Kyle Orton throw in seven-on-seven drills while crossing the middle. Earlier, Holmes snared a Romo pass that was a little ahead of him.

** Rookie Saalim Hakin struggled in the rookie minicamp with drops and he struggled Wednesday. Unofficially he had three and the last brought receivers coach Jimmy Robinson over with some encouragement.

** Undrafted rookie CB Lionel Smith intercepted a McGee pass along the sideline.

** Rookie S Eddie Whitley ended practice with a nice breakup of a McGee throw to James Hanna. Whitley broke on Hanna’s route perfectly to bat the pass away.

** RB Phillip Tanner did not look any different after being put on injured reserve last year with a hamstring injury. He was quick and decisive with his cuts.

We’re about to finally get a glimpse to see why there’s all this buzz about Andre Holmes.

Wednesday’s OTA session, which will be the first one this offseason open to the Valley Ranch media, will be the first time any of us have seen Holmes actually run a pass route. But there will be a lot of eyes on the second-year undrafted receiver because the coaches and front office are so high on him.

Holmes was the first name out of Jerry Jones’ mouth at the scouting combine in February when the Cowboys’ owner/general manager discussed the possibility of losing Laurent Robinson in free agency. With Robinson taking a rich deal from Jacksonville, Holmes has as good a shot as anyone at claiming the No. 3 receiver role.

Scoff if you dare, but just remember that Miles Austin and Victor Cruz are NFC East examples of receivers who have soared from the obscurity of being a small-school guy passed over in the draft to stardom in the last few years.

Here is what we know about Holmes, who signed with the Cowboys after being cut by the Vikings at the end of preseason and spent most of 2011 on the practice squad:

*He is 6-foot-5, 208 pounds, was timed at 4.51 in the 40 at the combine and measured with a vertical leap of 35 inches.

*Much like Austin at Monmouth, Holmes was a late bloomer at Division II Hillsdale College after playing receiver only one year in high school. After redshirting, he caught only 38 passes for 648 yards and four touchdowns in his first two seasons. He had a breakout year as a junior (77 catches, 1,076 yards, six TD) and the most productive season in school history as a senior (104 catches, 1,368 yards, 11 TD).

*Holmes’ mix of size, athleticism, ball skills and competitiveness impressed the Cowboys’ coaches and front office enough that they promoted him from the practice squad to the 53-man roster late last season to prevent another team from claiming him. They did so despite the fact that Holmes had a hamstring injury because they considered him a valuable prospect.

*He’s part of a pack of receivers who will be competing to replace Robinson. Kevin Ogletree is the only one of the bunch with NFL experience, but he was handed the job last year and failed, opening the door for Robinson to emerge. Others in the mix are Raymond Radway, the former Abilene Christian track star who would have made the team as an undrafted free agent last year if not for a gruesome broken leg suffered in the final seconds of the preseason finale; 2012 fifth-round pick Danny Coale; 2011 sixth-round pick Dwayne Harris; and a handful of undrafted rookies.

IRVING, Texas -- The comparisons started from the moment fifth-round pick Danny Coale was drafted.

Wes Welker of the New England Patriots is a speedy receiver who does damage from the slot. In four of his five seasons in New England, Welker has gained at least 1,000 receiving yards. Last year, Welker caught 122 passes for 1,569 yards and nine touchdowns.

"It’s nice to be mentioned in the same sentence as him, but at the same time he’s Wes Welker for a reason," said Coale, who finished his career at Virginia Tech second in receptions and receiving yards. "He's been there and he's done it and I haven’t. I'm nowhere near that level of play. I hope some day I can have a sliver of success as he's had. He's an incredible player and I admire his style of play. The way he plays the position, he's someone I try to be like."

Coale will compete with Andre Holmes, Dwayne Harris, Kevin Ogletree and Raymond Radway for three roster spots at wideout behind Miles Austin and Dez Bryant.

The other day, first-round pick Morris Claiborne talked about possibly getting some reps at wide receiver.

PODCAST
Cowboys first-round pick Morris Claiborne recaps his draft experience and talks about growing up a Cowboys fan and his expectations playing in Dallas. Listen

"I would love to be a two-way player," Claiborne told Galloway and Company on Monday afternoon. "If they gave me that chance to be able to go both sides of the ball, I'll love it and I won't turn it down. I'd get in and give it 100 percent."

It sounds nice to see if Claiborne can get a few snaps at wideout, but this isn't a good idea. The Cowboys have two solid wide receivers in Miles Austin and Dez Bryant. Bryant needs as many reps as possible at the position.

There are younger receivers who also need to get practice and game reps in Raymond Radway, Andre Holmes, Dwayne Harris and now rookie Danny Coale.

We don't believe coach Jason Garrett wants to see Claiborne at wideout. If he plays another spot, it'll be on special teams as a returner.

The Cowboys don't need to entertain this.

The secondary is where the Cowboys had their biggest problems in 2011 -- some would even say 2010 as well. And if that's the case, let Claiborne learn how to play the position in the NFL.

He was a standout at LSU -- even called the best defensive player in the draft -- so don't switch him to the other side when he needs to get the time in on defense.

Coming off an 8-8 season and consecutive seasons of missing the postseason, this is not the time to experiment.

"I'm very excited to get right in and get around those guys," Claiborne said of defending Bryant and Austin in practice. "Try to learn as much as I can learn from the receiver standpoint to the cornerback standpoint. And both of those guys are great, big receivers. I'm looking forward to getting some work in with them so they can make me better."

It's not time to get cute. Just play the position you're drafted to play and keep it moving.

One good thing about Cowboys coach Jason Garrett is that he's not afraid to stir things up.

Garrett has preached competition at various positions and that's what he's getting with Virginia Tech wide receiver Danny Coale, who was selected in the fifth-round selection Saturday.

PODCAST
Cowboys fifth-round pick Danny Coale talks about his road to the NFL and his chances of competing for a starting wide receiver spot in training camp. Listen

As it stands, Coale will battle Kevin Ogletree, Andre Holmes, Dwayne Harris and Raymond Radway for the two open receiver spots. The Cowboys could use five receivers in 2012 if needed. (We don't believe Dez Bryant and Miles Austin are in danger of not making the roster).

Coale has been described as a slot receiver who is fast with the ability to run good routes.

"He’s in the mix," Garrett said of Coale. "He’s a guy that we like physically; we like him intangibly; he’s got some position versatility and flexibility and we feel like he can be a special teams contributor. One of the really good things that we see when we pick these seven players is it creates a tremendous amount of competition on our football team."

Coale can play slot and outside receiver for the Cowboys. It was interesting to watch the war room in the fourth round and see receivers coach Jimmy Robinson talking to the decision makers. The Cowboys took two defensive players in Round 4 -- Kyle Wilber and Matt Johnson -- but it was clear they hoped Coale was still on the board in the fifth.

"Somebody asked earlier about needs versus taking the best player on the board," Garrett said. "I think if we look at this draft, we consistently took the best player or close to the best player on our board and that as evaluators makes you feel good, and the fact that they kind of crossed over to our perceived needs is really good for our football team because we’re getting the most quality player in terms of our evaluation. We bring him into the mix and create competition and we think that’s a real positive for everybody."

IRVING, Texas -- The Cowboys like versatile players and Virginia Tech’s Danny Coale is versatile.

He played outside wide receiver and excelled in the slot. He had four carries. He returned punts. He was on the Hokies’ punt block team and also was on the kick return and punt return teams.

He even punted as a senior, averaging 43.5 yards per punt.

“I want an opportunity to contribute to a team and it seems like a great fit,” Coale said.

Coale was the Cowboys’ fifth round pick and their first offensive selection. He left Virginia Tech with 165 catches for 2,658 yards and eight touchdowns. His receptions and yards are second-most in school history.

Coale did not come to Valley Ranch for a pre-draft visit, but he met with coach Jason Garrett and assistants John Garrett and Jimmy Robinson at the NFL scouting combine.

“I like to challenge myself to make tough catches over the middle and I really enjoy playing the middle of the field, seeing it from the slot,” Coale said.

The Cowboys have an opening for Tony Romo’s No. 3 wide receiver spot after losing Laurent Robinson. However, owner and general manager Jerry Jones has expressed his belief that Andre Holmes, Raymond Radway, Kevin Ogletree or Dwayne Harris can be playmakers. Coale will be in a competition

“He does a lot of exciting things,” Coale said of Romo. “I’m really thrilled to have an opportunity to catch from him.”

IRVING, Texas -- The Cowboys' fifth-round pick is wide receiver Danny Coale.

Pros: He's pretty quick, 4.5 40, and has the ability to play all three wide receiver spots. He's not afraid to go over the middle or try and run deep. He was a team captain at Virginia Tech and that's a big thing with coach Jason Garrett, who wants players who are respected in the locker room. He can also punt. He did some of it in high school and college, on a limited basis, and can be used in that area in case of an injury. He's a scrappy receiver who is dependable.

Cons: He had limited work on returns, and the Cowboys wanted to get a receiver in the draft who possessed the abilities to return punts and kicks. He's got average height, 5-11 and size, 201 pounds with short arms, measured at 30 1/2, inches which could present a problem. He's not a very good blocker and averaged just one touchdown for every 20 catches.

Cowboy fit: He will compete for the fifth wide receiver spot with Andre Holmes and Raymond Radway. Coale does have speed and size to be a slot receiver but is considered small by some scouts. His positive attitude allows the Cowboys to move him into special teams, he worked on kickoff coverage in college but is willing to play all the units. He can also help out on punts, and anytime you get position flexibility you take advantage of it.

Could have had: Marv Jones, WR, Cal; Marvin McNutt, WR, Iowa; James Brown, G, Troy; James Hanna, TE, Oklahoma.

The Dallas Cowboys re-signed wide receiver Kevin Ogletree on Friday.

Ogletree, a New York native, visited the New York Giants on Wednesday.

It's a surprise in some ways considering Ogletree lost the No. 3 receiver spot to Laurent Robinson last year and didn't play in the regular-season finale despite being active.

Ogletree will compete with Dwayne Harris, Andre Holmes and Raymond Radway for the No. 3 receiver spot.

Cowboys coach Jason Garrett was asked about the receiving corps during a conference call with reporters on Wednesday and spoke about Ogletree challenging the younger receivers if he made the roster in 2012.

Ogletree finished the 2011 season with just 15 catches for 164 yards and no touchdowns. He also returned two punts for 35 yards and fielded six kick returns for 114 yards.

The Cowboys most likely will include Ogletree in the return game rotation in 2012 as another way for him to make the team.

The Cowboys lost their No. 3 wide receiver when, according to our own Adam Schefter, Laurent Robinson agreed to a five-year deal worth $32.5 million.

There are two ways to look at it from the Cowboys' perspective: 1. They lost their most productive receiver in 2011, and that's bad. 2. It clears the way for younger talent to emerge in 2012, which can be deemed as a positive.

Robinson became a favorite target of quarterback Tony Romo last season and caught a team-high 11 touchdowns and was third on the team in catches with 54.

He had a stretch where he caught touchdown passes in seven of eight weeks. When Romo was under duress, he sought Robinson, who understood how to get to open spots on the field and become a target for the quarterback.

Miles Austin and Dez Bryant each had health issues during the season, and Robinson remained healthy for the most part. It should be noted, Robinson injured his hamstring in his first practice with the Cowboys and was quickly released. But once Robinson was healthy, he became a force. Now, you can attributed this to defenses trying to shut down Bryant and Austin, or Robinson just elevating his game.

The thing the Cowboys will miss with Robinson is his professionalism. Bryant said he learned a lot from Robinson in terms of preparation and how to deal with adversity. Before practices, Robinson would do his own stretching exercises to make sure his legs wouldn't betray him like they did early in the season.

It doesn't matter now because the Cowboys won't have him and are left with some unproven talent behind Austin and Bryant.

Andre Holmes is a long and fast receiver that played well on the scout team last season. Wide receivers coach Jimmy Robinson likes Holmes' potential.

Dwayne Harris didn't get enough offensive snaps because he was behind Austin, Bryant, Robinson and Kevin Ogletree last year. Harris did some work in the return game and didn't find a good rhythm until later in the season. But he will get a shot to compete with Holmes for playing time.

Raymond Radway became one of the stars of the preseason until suffering a serious leg injury in the waning moments of the final preseason game at Miami. Radway has speed and good hands, but was inconsistent. He's expected to fully recover in time for training camp and will get a long look to make the team.

Teddy Williams it seems has been around forever, but really it's just been two seasons. He came in as a track star trying to make the team in 2010. He was move from cornerback to wide receiver to cornerback and back to wide receiver. Williams spent his time on the practice squad and also did some good things. But he's still raw and you have to wonder just how long the team is willing to wait before they expect him to make the 53-man roster.

The draft has some interesting names, so the Cowboys could look improve the depth of the position that way. Let's also not forget Austin and Bryant are two emerging talents who seek better seasons. Bryant got better as the season progressed, and Austin was sorely missed when he was out with an injury.

At the top, the Cowboys' receiving corps is fine. But looking for the third, fourth and fifth receiver will be a challenge.

INDIANAPOLIS -- With Miles Austin and Dez Bryant under contract through 2016 and 2014, respectively, the Cowboys have to figure out a way to pay free-agent-to-be wide receiver Laurent Robinson this offseason.

Austin and Bryant will cost $6.3 million against the salary cap in 2012, but Austin’s cap number shoots up to $8.3 million in 2013. Bryant’s cap numbers in 2013-14 are about $3.2 and $3.4 million.

Can the Cowboys afford to “pay” Robinson, too?

“You’ve got to put, ‘Pay them what?’ before you can really answer,” owner and general manager Jerry Jones said. “We don’t have that today where we are.”

The Cowboys cannot sign Robinson, who led the team with 11 touchdowns in 2011, until free agency begins because he signed a “minimum salary benefit” contract last year.

“It’s a handicap, no question about it,” Robinson’s agent Harold Lewis said. “He loves being a Cowboy and would like to stay, but I really think there is going to be a good market for him.”

Jones and coach Jason Garrett view Robinson as a starting type of player because of how many snaps the No. 3 receiver plays in a game. Austin and Bryant have had health issues that have limited them the last two years, which makes the spot even more important.

“So he’s valuable,” Jones said of Robinson.

If Robinson signs elsewhere, the Cowboys would have to add a wide receiver either through the draft or in free agency. Jones heaped praise on Andre Holmes, who spent most of last season on the practice squad.

“We have a very good young receiver that we’re really proud of and he’s a factor in what we do here with Robinson, not to diminish what Robinson did for us this past year,” Jones said. “He has a real knack of keeping a play alive and that works real well with [Tony] Romo.”

To think the Cowboys could turn the No. 3 job to Holmes, who was undrafted out of Hillsdale, or any of their other receivers left, such as Jesse Holley, Dwayne Harris or Raymond Radway, who missed last year with a broken ankle, would seem to be too much of a gamble.

“Same kind of gamble we had with [Dan] Bailey,” Jones said. “Just any coach or anybody will say, ‘The guy has never played, how can you pencil him in?’ It is but you’ve got to take them … There’s no way you can put a team on the field and not play with players that haven’t played before in the NFL.”

Back in 1998, Dallas Cowboys general manager Jerry Jones bypassed on drafting wide receiver Randy Moss in the first round due to off-the-field issues.

The Cowboys drafted defensive end Greg Ellis.

Fast forward to 2012 and with Moss making his Sugar Ray Leonard return to the NFL, the Cowboys have another chance to get the veteran wideout.

A source said the Cowboys will pass on the wide receiver.

This shouldn't come as a surprise because the Cowboys have some talented and young wide receivers in Miles Austin and Dez Bryant. The team also wants to re-sign Laurent Robinson, who led the team with 11 touchdown receptions in 2011.

Dwayne Harris and Andre Holmes are young players who should compete for playing time in 2012, and if Raymond Radway fully recovers from his leg injury, suffered in the final preseason game, he will see snaps as well.

It's hard to believe any team wants to sign Moss. He missed the entire 2011 season and unlike Terrell Owens, who is coming off ACL surgery, Moss is healthy.

Moss took the Cowboys' decision to draft Ellis personally. In seven career games against the Cowboys, Moss has 10 touchdowns and an 18.9 yards-per-catch average.

This is the third in a 12-part series on the Cowboys roster.

Players: Miles Austin (signed through 2016), Dez Bryant (signed through 2014), Laurent Robinson (unrestricted free agent), Kevin Ogletree (restricted free agent), Dwayne Harris (signed through 2014), Andre Holmes (signed through 2013), Raymond Radway (signed through 2013), Teddy Williams (reserves/future contract)

Top free agents: Wes Welker, New England Patriots; Marques Colston, New Orleans Saints; DeSean Jackson, Philadelphia Eagles; Vincent Jackson, San Diego Chargers; Dwayne Bowe, Kansas City Chiefs.

Top draft prospects: Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State; Michael Floyd, Notre Dame; Kendall Wright, Baylor; Alshon Jeffrey, South Carolina; Mohamed Sanu, Rutgers.

2011 review: Robinson, who was signed in early September after being cut by the Chargers, ended up being the Cowboys’ most effective receiver. It took an injury to Austin and ineffectiveness by Ogletree for Robinson to get a significant role, but he led the Cowboys with 11 touchdown catches and was second among the team’s wideouts in catches (54) and receiving yards (858). Bryant didn’t have a 100-yard game all season, but he made significant progress, finishing his second year with 63 catches for 928 yards and nine touchdowns. Austin was a disappointment in the second year of a $54 million contract. He missed six games due to two hamstring strains, finishing the season with only 43 catches for 579 yards and seven touchdowns.

Offseason preview: The Cowboys’ biggest decision regarding the receiving corps will be whether to re-sign Robinson. He’s made it clear that he wants to return to Valley Ranch and has indicated that the Cowboys wouldn’t necessarily have to be the top bidders to keep him. What the Cowboys would be willing to pay for a No. 3 receiver who has proven he can be a quality fill-in starter isn’t clear. If the Cowboys don’t re-sign Robinson, they’ll need to find another third receiver, whether it’s in the draft or another free-agency bargain.

Bryan Broaddus’ Scout’s Eye: The Cowboys will be set at starters with Austin and Bryant. The biggest question will be if the club makes the effort to try and re-sign Robinson or if it allows him to leave via free agency. I would not be surprised if the front office allows Robinson to walk. If that is the case, then his numbers will need to be replaced. Let's be honest, Ogletree can't do the job as the third receiver. Ogletree has been given every opportunity to step up and take that job, but he can't do it. If not Robinson or Ogletree, there is Holley, Harris, Radway and Holmes. Holley had some productive snaps but mainly on special teams. Harris was off and on the practice squad. Radway is an interesting player because if he didn't get injured on the last play of the preseason game against the Dolphins, there was a great chance he was going to make the roster. The plan will be to try and find another Robinson in free agency with the available receivers. I don't see them using a high pick on a receiver but taking the approach of looking at a height-weight-speed player later.

Need meter (0-5): 2

IRVING, Texas -- The franchise quarterback and the Cowboys’ pair of Pro Bowlers were among the eight players listed as having limited participation in Thursday’s practice on the official injury report.

The limited list: QB Tony Romo (hand), NT Jay Ratliff (ribs), OLB DeMarcus Ware (neck), CB Mike Jenkins (shoulder), RB Felix Jones (hamstring), NT Josh Brent (knee), WR Andre Holmes (hamstring) and WR Kevin Ogletree (knee).

ILB Sean Lee (illness) and S Danny McCray (ankle) were the only Cowboys not to participate in the practice. Coach Jason Garrett indicated that he was optimistic that Lee would be able to practice Friday.

Three key members of the Giants’ offense have not practiced this week: RB Ahmad Bradshaw (foot), WR Hakeem Nicks (hamstring) and TE Jake Ballard (knee).

IRVING, Texas – Defensive coordinator Rob Ryan hopes that outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware and nose tackle Jay Ratliff will be able to play every down against the Eagles.

PODCAST
Cowboys nose tackle Jay Ratliff comments on the NFC East playoff picture, the matchup against the Eagles and more. Listen

Ware (stinger) and Ratliff (rib muscle strain) sat out the second half of last week’s win over Tampa Bay to rest nagging injuries. They’ve been limited participants in practice this week.

“Are we at full strength? Hey, nobody is this time of year,” Ryan said. “We’re as close to full strength as you could possibly be at this time of year. Again, we don’t have to make excuses. All we got to do is play great. That’s all.”

Cornerback Mike Jenkins (shoulder), right guard Kyle Kosier (foot) and receiver Laurent Robinson (shoulder) were also limited in practice this week. They all have been dealing with those injuries for weeks and are expected to play against the Eagles.

Running back Felix Jones (hamstring), safety Danny McCray (ankle), receiver Andre Holmes (hamstring), nose tackle Josh Brent (knee) and receiver Kevin Ogletree (knee) did not participate again in Thursday’s practice.

IRVING, Texas -- DeMarcus Ware went through a limited part of Wednesday’s practice and the Cowboys outside linebacker pronounced himself ready to go for Saturday’s game against Philadelphia.

“I feel really good, better than I did last week,” Ware said.

Ware suffered the stinger in the Dec. 11 loss to the New York Giants and aggravated it early in last week’s win at Tampa Bay. He did not play in the second half and did not practice on Tuesday. With Wednesday’s practice focusing on the nickel package, Ware, whose 16 sacks lead the Cowboys, felt it was necessary to return to work even if he was limited.

The most important change Ware could make will be with his equipment. He was fitted for a stiffer neck roll on Wednesday to make sure his head does not get jerked backward and aggravate the injury. He wore his normal neck roll against the Buccaneers.

“This one makes sure your neck doesn’t move, so you shouldn’t get any stingers,” Ware said.

Like Ware, Jay Ratliff returned but was limited in practice with a rib muscle strain. Safety Danny McCray, the team’s special teams’ ace, did not practice for the second straight day. Wide receiver Kevin Ogletree did not practice because of a knee injury suffered on Tuesday.

Cornerback Mike Jenkins (shoulder), guard Kyle Kosier (foot) and wide receiver Laurent Robinson (shoulder) were also limited.

Nose tackle Josh Brent (knee), wide receiver Andre Holmes (hamstring) did not practice.