The New York Giants traded fourth- and sixth-round picks to the Los Angeles Rams yesterday for linebacker Alec Ogletree. The move is already paying dividends, as Ogletree has been trying to get Tyrann Mathieu to sign with the Giants following his release from Arizona Cardinals earlier this week.
“I think he would have a big impact,” Ogletree said Thursday during a conference call. “Of course being in the division with him and just seeing his body of work, playing with him in college, well not playing with him, but I know the type of football player he is and I definitely think he brings a lot to the table for sure.”
The Giants defense struggled last season but Ogletree believes that he can help.
“Yeah, I thought they did decent,” Ogletree said. “Of course they didn’t do as well as they wanted to and how everyone expected them to do. But they had a hell of a lot going on with them last year, but they’ve got a lot of talent there. I’d say with me coming in and helping out as far as leadership goes and just being a good linebacker for those guys and helping them out in that area. I definitely think the sky is the limit. It’s going to be a fun, fun thing for sure. I’m definitely excited to get there and get to work with those guys.”
Odell Beckham Jr. and Ogletree got into an altercation a few seasons back. That situation is now behind them both and they have moved past it. Ogletree is now excited to be teammates with Beckham.
“No, that happened three, four years ago and we’ve seen each other since then and there’s never been any bad blood,” Ogletree said. “It’s football and it happened. We were playing against each other and, we wish it didn’t happen the way it did and it did and honestly he was one of the first guys to call me to welcome me to the team. I didn’t know who it was and I was like, ‘Who is this?’ He actually sent me a video of the fight (laughs) and he was like, ‘We’re going after it every day at practice,’ And I was like, ‘Oh, yeah.’ So it was all good. Like I said, I’m excited to be here and it’s going to be a good thing for sure.”
The Giants front office has high hopes for Ogletree in the middle of the defense next year. GM Dave Gettleman praised Ogletree for his ability to be the quarterback of the defense.
“That is everything,” Ogletree said. “You have to have trust in each other and they believe in me, and I believe in them and what they’re preaching to us. It’s going to be a good thing. I’m excited to get there and get to work and get with those guys and be the quarterback of the defense. I’ve done it for two years now and hopefully can continue to do it this year and like you said, just try and get guys going and ready to play.”