The Cowboys Get A Long Shot At Wide Receiver

NFL News - July 21st, 2009 - Written by Ryan Smith

Michael Irvin the super-star and former Cowboys wide receiver just completed the first season of his new reality show "4th and Long". The reality show matched 6 defensive backs and 6 wide receivers against each other for a chance to make the last spot, the 80th man on the Dallas Cowboys mini camp roster. Well it was no surprise that on Monday night Irvin choose wide receiver Jesse Holley as the winner of the first season. Holley is no average Joe off the street, he measures in at 6-foot-3 and weighs in around 215 pounds, not a bad size for an NFL wide out.

Holley is a natural athlete, he Played on the North Carolina Tarheels basketball team in 2005 when they won the National Championship as a back up to point guard Reymond Felton. He also saw time on the football field while at North Carolina and, Michael Irvin thinks he can produce more than just on the practice field for the Cowboys in 2009. Holley was one of the more sociable characters on the show "4th and Long" with his charismatic smile and personable hair (dread locks) Holley showed signs of a young Michael Irvin himself. Holley is no shoe in for the regular season 53 man roster but with T.O. out of the picture the Cowboys do have positions to fill in the wide receiver department.

ESPN reports Michael Irvin had this to say about his new found young talent "There's a great opportunity for my guy, Jesse, to do some wonderful things," "I think the world of Jesse. I don't think he'll let us down. I would not be a bit surprised if you guys end up saying, 'Wow, look at what this guy has become.'" Jesse and Irvin have obviously become good friends after spending weeks together on the show. In fact Jesse Holley lived in the Cotton Bowl in Dallas with the other contestants while filming for the show was tacking place.

This wont be Jesse Holley's first NFL mini camp. After giving up on basketball in 2006 Holley knew he wanted to play NFL football and tried out for the Cincinnati Bengals team in 2007. He made the 80 man mini camp roster and lasted past mini camp and played on the practice team for just over 6 weeks. Holley will have to take his opportunity with the Dallas Cowboys with tremendous focus and tenacity to earn a spot on the roster. The Cowboys wide receiver core has been dismantled over the past two years, in the 2008 season wide out Terry Glen was released before the season began and both Miles Austin and Sam Hurd had injury plagued seasons in 2008. Terrell Owens was released during the off season this year and both Austin and Hurd are coming back off injuries making this mini camp almost a perfect chance for Holley to shine in the spot light.

If Holley can show some passion for the game and a physical style of play on the football field, chances are he will make the cut. The Cowboys tend to keep 7 or 8 receivers on a team during the regular season more than the average NFL team normally keeps. Holley has the size and the talent to play the position but, he will have to win the companionship of his teammates and more importantly his coaching staff if he wants to make the Dallas Cowboys team in 2009.