FALLING IN LINE
Ogletree pleased with results of new LB corps
The film was familiar, yet foreign. There were routes Alec Ogletree remembered. There were schemes he had seen. It was the fourth time Ogletree had prepared to face the Cowboys. But it was the first time in eight years the Giants linebacker had seen Dallas’ offense operating without Dez Bryant and Jason Witten.
“It’s definitely a difference just because you always knew those guys were going to be there for however long,” Ogletree said. “Then all of a sudden, they’re not there. So, you’re kind of looking for them on the film, you see certain routes that the tight ends and the receivers run. Now you’re like, ‘Ah man, that used to be Witten and Dez right there.’
“They got a good group of guys there. They still do some of the same stuff, but it’s definitely a difference in watching them.”
The same could be said of the Giants linebacking corps.
Last year’s film of that group featured Jonathan Casillas, Devon Kennard and Keenan Robinson. This year’s season-opening loss to the Jaguars included Ogletree and fellow offseason acquisition Kareem Martin, joined by rookie Lorenzo Carter and summer-signee Connor Barwin — jointly replacing the injured Olivier Vernon — as well as largely inexperienced thirdyear linebacker B.J. Goodson and Ray-Ray Armstrong, who was picked up in November. It is a defense with five new starters. It is a new system, installed by new defensive coordinator James Bettcher. Ogletree, the new “MIKE” linebacker, receives the calls, passing them along to a
unit
with minimal experience working together.
The potential for miscommunication was evident in Week 1 against Jacksonville. Yet there were “no issues,” linebackers coach Bill McGovern said.
“I think [Ogletree’s] leadership ability has come through,” McGovern said. “You have seen it even with him being elected team captain. I think you get to see what the guys think about him and how he kind of leads by example out on the field.”
While Ogletree didn’t expect any problems, the veteran has seen it happen in season-opening games, when chemistry is still being constructed.
“It’s a little different when the bullets really start flying, and I thought everybody handled it really well,” said Ogletree, who tied a team-high with seven tackles. “It definitely can be a problem if you don’t have guys that are great communicators, and listening to what’s going on. … We got a good group of guys. They’re receptive of what I say to
them, and [they] lined up and played well.
“I thought it was a pretty smooth transition, but it has to be week in and week out. I can’t just do it for one week. I definitely am trying to make sure I get the communication out as good as possible, and get everybody lined up.”
It became easier as the game went on. In the second half, the Giants allowed just 121 yards, including 39 in the fourth quarter. For the game, they allowed just one offensive touchdown and no points in the second half.
Ogletree smiled at the realization they are getting comfortable with each other.
“I thought we got in a good groove of knowing what they were gonna do and being there to make the plays,” Ogletree said. “You learn and try to fix the mistakes that you did have, but I definitely thought that we did some good things. … For us, it’s a lot of new guys. It’s a whole new team. You have to have chemistry. Hopefully, you do it well enough to give yourself a shot at making the playoffs and go from there.”