The Los Angeles Rams pride themselves on having one of the most stubborn defenses in the league when it comes to giving up points. Now, with the addition of new defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, there is optimism this group can take it to the next level.
Of course, Phillips’ arrival means the defense must now lock in on transitioning from a 4-3 to a 3-4 defense — a task Alec Ogletree says has not been too difficult according to Myles Simmons of Rams:
“It’s not much different, I guess you would say — just because I played the ‘Mike’ last year and I’m still playing the same position,” Ogletree said. “The calls are different and that’s really about it. Everything else is still pretty much the same.”
Ogletree is no stranger to transition within the defense after making the switch from outside linebacker to the ‘Mike’ spot prior to last season. There were questions as to whether he could not only handle the transition but develop into a leader and defensive captain. The result was Ogletree putting up career-highs in nearly every category and earning second-team All-Pro honors in just his fourth year in the league. Even more important, he has become the vocal leader of this formidable Rams defense.
Since the start of the team’s offseason training activities, Ogletree has regularly become the first to arrive to study film. When combining Ogletree’s talent and football acumen with the success that Phillips’ defenses usually enjoy, do not be surprised if he potentially makes a run at first-team All-Pro for the 2017 NFL season.
