Ex-Cavs Ogletree, Phillips catch on

IRVING, Texas — Virginia football is well-represented in Dallas with recent UVa products Kevin Ogletree and John Phillips on the Cowboys’ 53-man roster.

An undrafted free agent, Ogletree is currently the team’s No. 5 receiver, while Phillips, a sixth-round pick in April’s draft, will be the third tight end.

Both rookies were relieved to hear the good news.

“It was a relief, knowing that I made the team and that I was going to be given a chance to fight for a Super Bowl with these guys and for a great organization,” Ogletree said.

Already close friends from their time in Charlottesville, the pair have been roommates since arriving in Dallas.

“I’m very happy Kevin made it as well,” he said. “Right after the draft, I called him and was really excited to get down here. We decided to be roommates to save a little bit of money. It was an easy choice to bunk up together for [organized team activities]. On the road, we also room together.”

Both ex-Wahoos agree that there is no substitute for hard work, but they also attribute their success to lessons learned under current UVa head coach Al Groh.

“That’s a testament to Coach Groh, his staff and the way they run things at Virginia,” Phillips said. “They run a pro style deal, which is similar (to Dallas). It was an easy transition as far as the tempo of practice and the way they do things.”

Ogletree’s familiarity with Groh dates back to his pre-ACC days.

“Coach Groh was the head coach in New York when I was in high school and I was a Jets fan, so I knew of him,” he said. “At Virginia, that’s all we knew, how to practice like an NFL team and how to get ready for the NFL. He was always preparing us for what we would face when we got here. That was great for us.”

Those strong roots have also helped each maintain a simple, yet successful approach.

“When the opportunity presents itself, you’ve got to make the most out of it,” Ogletree said. “Nothing was final the whole time during preseason, so you’ve got to leave your last impression as the most important one, which means every play is crucial.”

Phillips’ approach was all about confidence.

“I felt like I was doing the right things, just working hard and competing every day,” he said. “You’ve got to think like you’re going to make the team. You’ve got to want it, go after it and try to get it.”

Also speeding up their development has been some sage advice from great veterans. Ogletree’s source has been all-pro receiver Roy Williams.

“85, he’s pretty good,” Williams said, referring to Ogletree. “I told him once this thing started back in OTAs that he was going to be the guy. I don’t know if he took that to heart or not, but I’m a good scout and I know talent when I see it.”

Phillips has learned from all-pro Jason Witten and up-and-comer Martellus Bennett.

“I call him ‘Baby Wit,’” Bennett quipped. “He’s been doing a great job. I think he’s coming along quicker than I did coming out of a pro-style offense out of college. He’s a physical guy and hard-nosed.”

The talkative tight end even offered up an alternate moniker for Phillips.

“Actually, we call him ‘Big Country,’” Bennett said. “He’s an exceptional talent and he has really good hands too. For a guy who didn’t catch too many balls in college the last year or so, he has nice hands and he just works hard, which is all you can ask from a player.”

Williams admitted that Ogletree has also received a nickname.

“One of his best friends now is probably (fellow receiver) Miles Austin,” he said. “Whenever he makes a play, one of the coaches will ask, ‘Who is this?’ Miles will say, ‘Don’t pick the fruit from the poisonous Ogletree.’ We get a kick out of that.”

The Cowboys’ top receiver has given him a different tag.

“I don’t call him by his name,” Williams said. “I call him ‘85’ or my shoe picker-upper because that’s what he does.”

And Ogletree admits he and Phillips have already endured some rookie hazing.

“We’ve had to deal with it but I think everyone has to,” he said. “I had to buy some lunch for away games, carry shoulder pads and that kind of stuff. It’s not that hard, per se. It’s just part of paying your dues.”

One adjustment for both has been learning a more complicated playbook. Ogletree has focused on paying more attention to detail.

“I think the stuff here is well-explained and well-introduced,” he said. “We go over it enough times. You will have your time to mess up, but it shouldn’t repeat itself. When you pay attention to detail, you’ll be fine.”