IRVING, Texas – Fifth-round pick Devin Street quelled any notions about his health potentially holding him back when he begins his work with the Cowboys.
The receiver's dealt with a shoulder injury since the end of his last season at Pittsburgh, and owner/general manager Jerry Jones intimated after the draft that Street could be limited when rookie workouts began.
That injury might have contributed to Street falling to the fifth round, but the receiver said he's ready to roll immediately.
"Definitely ready to go fully, 100 percent healthy," Street said. "I met with the training staff, I'm all cleared to go. I fell a little bit in the draft – it doesn't matter, though. I'm at the place I want to be."
Street said he can't wait to get back on the field, and falling to the fifth round will be motivation and fuel to the fire. Players, including Street, have already started arriving at Valley Ranch prior to this weekend's rookie minicamp.
"I'll remember that feeling, sitting there and feeling I was better than a lot of those guys who were going, but everything happens for a reason," Street said. "I feel like I'm in the perfect place, perfect system, great organization."
Street was the all-time leader in receptions during his four-year career at Pittsburgh, hauling in 202 passes.
The 6-3 receiver ran a 4.55 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine and demonstrated enough to wide receivers coach Derek Dooley during a workout at Pittsburgh to make an immediate impression.
Street said he believed his relationship with Dooley helped a lot with the Cowboys' decision to draft him. He said his long strides can sometimes be deceptive on film, but he believes Dooley got a better idea of the receiver he can be when he saw him in person.
The Cowboys' newest receiver is already in the playbook, preparing himself for his first day on the field with the rest of his team. He's already talked to Dez Bryant and Terrance Williams, and the rookie said the two starting receivers welcomed him with open arms.
"I was already trying to tell Coach Dooley I want to stay after today and get a little bit of extra work in, but he just told me to come over early tomorrow," Street said. "Tonight I'll go back to the hotel, get in the playbook and make sure I'm on top of my game, because that's how you eliminate yourself, is not knowing what to do."
