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Practice Report: Ogletree's Big Numbers
By Myles Simmons
View: http://www.stlouisrams.com/news-and-events/article-practicereport/Practice-Report-Ogletrees-Big-Numbers/f9740437-8a12-47df-9b7d-8c24a168e6ef
Linebacker Alec Ogletree was all over the field against Washington when he tallied 18 tackles. And it was more of the same against the Steelers on Sunday, as he put up another 15 -- this time adding 2.0 sacks.
“I feel a lot more comfortable in the defense,” Ogletree said on Tuesday. “It shows with me being able to play fast, and just go side to side and make plays.”
Ogletree has previously spoken about how he took a lot of time over the offseason to improve his grasp on the mental side of the game. So far, it seems like that’s paying off.
“It's definitely slowing down for me,” Ogletree said. “Once you see certain schemes over and over, you get used to them and you know what's about to happen.”
“I try to diagnose every play,” Ogletree added. “I try to see if I can get a tip on each play. If they give us a certain formation and I know what they're going to do, then I'll jump it.”
While Ogletree racked up 1.5 sacks in his rookie year, he didn’t have one in his sophomore season. Now he’s already eclipsed that total, which is something he wanted to do. The linebacker said he’s been working on finishing his rushes when he gets to the quarterback.
“That was the big thing for me and it’s paid off,” Ogletree said. “The scheme we're in is very aggressive and you're definitely going to have your opportunities to get to the QB, but you have to finish the rush.”
Much of that aggressiveness comes from coordinator Gregg Williams, who has built a reputation on bringing pressure from different places within the defense. And given how Ogletree has shown he can bring some heat with a pass rush, the linebacker said he expects to get some more opportunities.
“He's all about production,” Ogletree said of Williams. “If you're able to get back there he will keep calling it.”
And so as the Rams get to work this week against a tough Arizona squad, one positive the defense can build upon is that is has moved into the Top 10 in yards allowed. While it’s not all the team is about, as wins are the ultimate goal, it is one signal of improvement from week to week.
“It's just putting us once step closer to our goal of being a Top 5 defense,” Ogletree said. “Each week we have to go out there and do what we need to do to make that happen.”
WAIVING PEAD, ADDING McGEE AND TOON
In a few corresponding roster moves, the Rams waived running back Isaiah Pead, signed cornerback Brandon McGee to the active roster from the practice squad, and signed wide receiver Nick Toon to the practice squad on Tuesday.
Head coach Jeff Fisher called moving on from Pead a difficult decision, but one that made sense given Todd Gurley’s emergence at running back.
“Isaiah did a phenomenal job coming back off the injury,” Fisher said. “But with Todd now coming up and the potential for some other moves during the week, we just felt it was the best decision for us.”
Fisher said there is the potential of Pead coming back if he were available and the Rams need him.
While McGee had a foot injury he re-aggravated during OTAs, Fisher said the cornerback has shown he’s over that now. The head coach added McGee will be contributing most on special teams.
“He’s up and we’re ready to go,” Fisher said. “He can do the gunner thing. He can be available for us on defense and then do some things in two of the three phases on special teams.”
As for Toon, the wide receiver was one of in a group of players at the position who worked out for the Rams, and the head coach came away impressed with the Wisconsin product. Fisher revealed St. Louis had some interest in the wideout when he entered the league in 2012.
“We interviewed Nick at the combine and watched Nick play,” Fisher said. “We worked out a group of receivers last week and just felt Nick was ideal for us to get him on the practice squad and get him in position to learn our offense. He did a great job today with the scout team. Smart player. Obviously, great heritage.”
Toon -- the son of longtime Jets wide receiver Al Toon -- was originally drafted in the fourth round by the Saints in 2012. Though injuries have somewhat hampered his career, the wideout has recorded 21 receptions for 283 yards and a touchdown. He was waived by New Orleans earlier this month.
By Myles Simmons
View: http://www.stlouisrams.com/news-and-events/article-practicereport/Practice-Report-Ogletrees-Big-Numbers/f9740437-8a12-47df-9b7d-8c24a168e6ef
Linebacker Alec Ogletree was all over the field against Washington when he tallied 18 tackles. And it was more of the same against the Steelers on Sunday, as he put up another 15 -- this time adding 2.0 sacks.
“I feel a lot more comfortable in the defense,” Ogletree said on Tuesday. “It shows with me being able to play fast, and just go side to side and make plays.”
Ogletree has previously spoken about how he took a lot of time over the offseason to improve his grasp on the mental side of the game. So far, it seems like that’s paying off.
“It's definitely slowing down for me,” Ogletree said. “Once you see certain schemes over and over, you get used to them and you know what's about to happen.”
“I try to diagnose every play,” Ogletree added. “I try to see if I can get a tip on each play. If they give us a certain formation and I know what they're going to do, then I'll jump it.”
While Ogletree racked up 1.5 sacks in his rookie year, he didn’t have one in his sophomore season. Now he’s already eclipsed that total, which is something he wanted to do. The linebacker said he’s been working on finishing his rushes when he gets to the quarterback.
“That was the big thing for me and it’s paid off,” Ogletree said. “The scheme we're in is very aggressive and you're definitely going to have your opportunities to get to the QB, but you have to finish the rush.”
Much of that aggressiveness comes from coordinator Gregg Williams, who has built a reputation on bringing pressure from different places within the defense. And given how Ogletree has shown he can bring some heat with a pass rush, the linebacker said he expects to get some more opportunities.
“He's all about production,” Ogletree said of Williams. “If you're able to get back there he will keep calling it.”
And so as the Rams get to work this week against a tough Arizona squad, one positive the defense can build upon is that is has moved into the Top 10 in yards allowed. While it’s not all the team is about, as wins are the ultimate goal, it is one signal of improvement from week to week.
“It's just putting us once step closer to our goal of being a Top 5 defense,” Ogletree said. “Each week we have to go out there and do what we need to do to make that happen.”
WAIVING PEAD, ADDING McGEE AND TOON
In a few corresponding roster moves, the Rams waived running back Isaiah Pead, signed cornerback Brandon McGee to the active roster from the practice squad, and signed wide receiver Nick Toon to the practice squad on Tuesday.
Head coach Jeff Fisher called moving on from Pead a difficult decision, but one that made sense given Todd Gurley’s emergence at running back.
“Isaiah did a phenomenal job coming back off the injury,” Fisher said. “But with Todd now coming up and the potential for some other moves during the week, we just felt it was the best decision for us.”
Fisher said there is the potential of Pead coming back if he were available and the Rams need him.
While McGee had a foot injury he re-aggravated during OTAs, Fisher said the cornerback has shown he’s over that now. The head coach added McGee will be contributing most on special teams.
“He’s up and we’re ready to go,” Fisher said. “He can do the gunner thing. He can be available for us on defense and then do some things in two of the three phases on special teams.”
As for Toon, the wide receiver was one of in a group of players at the position who worked out for the Rams, and the head coach came away impressed with the Wisconsin product. Fisher revealed St. Louis had some interest in the wideout when he entered the league in 2012.
“We interviewed Nick at the combine and watched Nick play,” Fisher said. “We worked out a group of receivers last week and just felt Nick was ideal for us to get him on the practice squad and get him in position to learn our offense. He did a great job today with the scout team. Smart player. Obviously, great heritage.”
Toon -- the son of longtime Jets wide receiver Al Toon -- was originally drafted in the fourth round by the Saints in 2012. Though injuries have somewhat hampered his career, the wideout has recorded 21 receptions for 283 yards and a touchdown. He was waived by New Orleans earlier this month.
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