Ram’s Alec Ogletree adjusting to life at mike linebacker, leadership role
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Former Georgia defender Alec Ogletree has had to deal with a number of transitions this offseason, from his team moving from St. Louis to Los Angeles, embracing a new position and a leadership role on the defense following the release of longtime linebacker James Laurinaitis to becoming a father for the first time, all in a span of a few short months.
While Ogletree has had time to prepare for many of the challenges he currently faces, becoming the voice of the defense on the field is something that could not be achieved until the Rams hit the field this preseason.
So far, so good for Ogletree.
“I want to go out there and be smooth, give all the calls and get on and off the field,” Ogletree said, according to Gary Klein of the Los Angeles Times. “Collectively, I want to win the game, I want everybody not to have too many mistakes and definitely not give up touchdowns and first downs.”
The leadership role of an NFL defense comes with many responsibilities, including getting on his teammates when they fail to live up to expectations. During the Rams latest preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Ogletree went off on a mini tirade as the first-team defense gave up a touchdown drive on the opening possession for the second consecutive preseason game.
“We knew we weren’t playing up to our standards,” he said. “That was really the message. ‘Everybody get lined up and do what’s called and play up to our level, the potential we have.’ ”
The on the field results mean nothing heading into the regular season but the leadership and teaching of the preseason for Ogletree and his teammates will certainly carry over into the season. Under the guidance of Ogletree now in the middle of the field, the Rams defense will have its opportunity to show how consistent they can be following an up and down 2015 campaign.
A graduate of the University of Tennessee, Michael Wayne Bratton oversees the news coverage for Saturday Down South. Michael previously worked for FOX Sports and NFL.com
