LB Alec Ogletree -- August 3, 2019
Q: It’s now year two of the system, how do you feel the defense has come along?
A: I think we have made a lot of good strides this offseason. With OTA’s and now the second week of training camp, I think we have definitely put ourselves in the right positions to continue to grow and get better and go into the season playing at a high level. I feel good about it right now, for sure.
Q: How do you look back at last season individually in pass coverage?
A: I think there’s definitely stuff I could have done better in pass coverage. You can’t play everything perfect, I definitely think there are some things I can work on to help myself get more interceptions than five. I definitely looked back at the film and saw what I need to work on as far as pass coverage, this, that and the other. I came out at OTA’s and training camp just trying to get better at stuff like that. I have my own standards, I know I have some things I can work on to get better.
Q: Has that been a main point of emphasis?
A: It has. I think Coach Bettcher said it best, everybody has things they have to get better at. The longer you stay, you still have to get better at something. Like I said, looking back on the season I had last year, I know there are things I could have done better, pass wise and run wise. It’s about going out there and taking advantage of the day. The longer you stay in the league, you realize it’s harder to stay. They are looking to bring new guys in every day. For us, it’s about taking advantage of opportunities, getting better, and continue to improve.
Q: How many interceptions could you have had?
A: I definitely could have had more than five last year. I think I could’ve had at least seven or eight.
Q: What do you think of the job Ryan Connelly, Jonathan Anderson and some of the new guys have done?
A: I think they have done well. They have picked up the defense really well and they are able to communicate, get lined up and play ball. Like I said, we are all working to push each other to get better. Those guys are pushing each other in the room, along with myself. We just try to make sure we handle what we can handle and that’s trying to get better everyday and going out there being leaders on the field.
Q: Do you have to take even more of a leadership role because so many of the parts around you have changed?
A: I don’t think I have to take more of a leadership role. I think me and a few other guys have a little more experience in the defense as far as some of the rookies we brought in. We have guys like Antoine that has 14 years of experience, you can’t substitute that for anything. When you have guys like that, it makes your job a lot easier, because he knows ball, he knows how to communicate, along with Jabrill, Markus and the guys we brought in like that. We have guys here that know ball and know how to communicate, get lined up and play. For me, it’s continuing to get better with myself and going out there and making sure everybody is on the same page.
Q: What have you seen from B.J. Hill? Looks like he likes to talk out there…
A: He’s coming into his own. You like to see that from him because he is a good player in this league and he’s realizing he has the potential to do a lot of great things in this defense. That’s just his personality that’s really showing. As a rookie, you kind of just try not to do too much wrong and not say too much, just handle your business. He enjoys playing football, you can tell he loves football. The trash talking he does, that’s just his personality that we are starting to see now.
Q: What does Jabrill Peppers bring to the defense?
A: He brings a spark to this defense, he brings an energy that we need. He’s a guy that we can use all over the field. With Coach Bettcher’s defense, he likes to mix and match stuff, change coverages, put guys in different positions and for him, he is a guy that can do that. He’s very versatile and he’s going to be a huge help for us this year.
Q: Are you still trying to get a rep at tight end?
A: I am still trying to get my rep at tight end. I don’t know when it’s going to happen. Before I’m done playing football, I hope it happens. It will happen.
