Kickin' back with Bucs receiver Kevin Ogletree

Bucs receiver Kevin Ogletree came to Tampa Bay in March with a two-year, $2.6 million deal after four seasons with the Cowboys. He made his first impact last week, catching a 5-yard touchdown in a 16-14 loss to the Saints. He sat down with the Times' Greg Auman to talk about adjusting to his new life.

How do you like living full time in Florida for the first time?

First time I was here was for a wedding in St. Pete at the Don CeSar two days before I signed here. It wasn't clear where I was going. But getting to be here, to be on that beach, that beach is pretty nice. I signed right after that; as soon as I saw the beach.

You actually knew Greg Schiano from high school recruiting when you were in Queens and he was at Rutgers. You chose to play at Virginia, but how strongly did you consider Rutgers?

Not very strongly. It was too close to home. I didn't meet him but got some generic literature from them.

One coach who has been with you every step of the way is John Garrett. He was your position coach at Virginia, an assistant in Dallas and was here in Tampa as receivers coach when you chose the Bucs. How much did that familiarity help in your decision as a free agent?

Coach Garrett, Coach Greg, meeting them here, this was an ideal situation. It looked good for me to play, to come in and help. It was all that I wanted.

You played in a warm climate in Dallas for four years. Biggest difference here?

The humidity is definitely No. 1. Adjusting to that, getting used to losing a couple of more pounds in practice. It prepares us, works to our advantage, too.

You're active on Twitter at @koforprez — following like 1,200 people. What do you look for in a follow?

Good looks, funny tweets. I'm not as active on there as I have been.

You tweet about how much you like being an uncle to your niece and two nephews.

I don't have any kids, so it feels like my daughter or son. It's really fun being with them. I go up there whenever I get the chance. It's wonderful to spend time with them. Newly found Bucs fans.

You were a baseball player long before football. How long did you play?

I didn't play my senior year, so my whole life up until my senior year. I played centerfield in high school, but I was all over before that; pitching, shortstop.

You grew up in Queens. Favorite Yankee? Any conflict for you when they're down here to play the Rays?

There's no conflicting a Yankee fan. I don't have one favorite. But guys like Paul O'Neill, Bernie Williams, those were my guys.

A little, quick word association. … Greg Schiano?

Serious.

Josh Freeman?

Great.

Tony Romo?

Rich.

Jerry Jones? And you just used "rich."

Entrepreneur.

Darrelle Revis?

Amazing.

An important question now: Go-to breakfast cereal?

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This is tough. There's a bunch of good ones. Frosted Flakes, you can't go wrong there.

Guilty-pleasure TV show?

There's only a couple I have to watch, but I don't know if I should feel guilty because they're good shows, Boardwalk Empire, Game of Thrones. Those two you'd find on my DVR. I'll watch anything if I'm bored. I don't have too much time right now. Ask me in February. I'll be watching more.

Who's your best friend in the league not in this locker room?

I've got some good friends out there. (Leto High's) Mike Jenkins, he's a local guy. The guys I went to school with, (Rams defensive end Chris Long. (Chargers tight end) John Phillips, I played four years in school with, four years in Dallas with.

Greg Auman can be reached at auman@tampabay.com.