Thursday Media Transcript: Linebacker Alec Ogletree

Linebacker Alec Ogletree

August 2, 2018



Q: Did you get an explanation about the new helmet rule today?

A: It will be interesting to see defensively. It’s kind of tough for us to take our heads out of it as much as possible. I understand why they are trying to do it, but at the same time it’s definitely something I’m looking forward to seeing what kind of impact it has.

Q: Are you concerned you might not be able to take the instinct part of your game out, to comply with the rules?

A: You have to adjust as much as you can. You won’t be perfect but you have to try to adjust your game to fit the rules. I think we will do that once the time comes.

Q: Have you heard from other teams who have had meetings with officials about what’s been talked about?

A: I haven’t really heard from other teams. I know we talked about it a little bit in the linebacker room. Just how to set it up for as far as a linebacker taking on a guard, tackle or something like that, that kind of helmet to helmet contact is illegal. It’s going to be tough for us for sure.

Q: Is there a specific type of play that you are worried about?

A: I honestly don’t know, things just happen on the field and you try to do your job as well as you can and limit the mistakes. We are going to try our best to adjust our games to fit the situation.

Q: Have you been coached to change the way you tackle over the course of your career?

A: Pretty much throughout the league everybody is trying to adjust the way guys tackle, keeping your head out of it. Like I said, it’s a physical game, and you are definitely going to have some type of head contact, I don’t care how much you try to change it.

Q: Was there a time when a coach said, “this is our new tackling technique” over the course of your career?

A: I’ve played with three or four different coaches and everyone has their own technique. For the most part, it’s pretty much the same, they try to teach you to keep your head out of it as much as possible.

Q: During a particular play in practice, have you actually thought about the head aspect of making a tackle?

A: Yea somewhat, it’s kind of hard when you’re not actually tackling somebody to really say I need to hit him like this. You definitely try to take the right approach to a tackle and work on your steps when you’re about to finish. Its definitely kind of difficult to actually practice not putting your head into something.

Q: Has there been more emphasis on coaching technique with the new rules this year?

A: I don’t think so. For the most part, in the last few years since I have been doing drills, coaches teach you to try to take your head out of it and lower your target.

Q: Do you concern yourself with what your life will be like once your playing career is over?

A: I try to just focus on right now as much as I can. At the same time, you definitely have health reasons as to why certain stuff has to happen so you can function later on in life. You aren’t going to play football forever, so there is definitely a thought there, but at the same time I try to focus on what my job is right now and do the best I can to stay as healthy as possible.