Q&A: LB Alec Ogletree ‘very anxious to get back out there’ for Bulldogs
This is one of the last shots we saw of Alec Ogletree, getting the defensive call from the sideline in Georgia's Nike Pro Combat uniform at the Georgia Dome. (UGA photo)
Q&A WITH ALEC OGLETREE
Alec Ogletree was the toast of the offseason for the Georgia Bulldogs. Going back to spring practice and all the way through preseason, the experiment of moving the 6-foot-3, 240-pound sophomore from strong safety to inside “Mo” linebacker was said to be an unmitigated success. Coaches and teammates spoke in excited anticipation of the havoc Ogletree was going to wreak playing down close to the line of scrimmage in the middle of the Georgia’s 3-4 defense. “He was practicing extremely well,” coach Mark Richt said. “He was making most of the tackles and he was doing it with some enthusiasm and some physicality. He has the ability to knock people back and he has the ability to run sideline-to-sideline and he has the ability to cover well. He has all the tools.”
But all the air from that balloon was sucked out just two defensive series into the season opener against Boise State. Ogletree broke the fifth metatarsal bone in his right foot in the first quarter. The break was confirmed on X-rays right there at the Georgia Dome and Ogletree has been sidelined ever since.
Make that WAS sidelined. The former AJC Super 11 selection and 5-star prospect was cleared for practice last week. Sunday night, Richt announced that Ogletree would in fact start his first game back next Saturday against Florida in Jacksonville. Defensive coordinator Todd Grantham left little doubt that would be the case upon watching Ogletree negotiate his first full-contact practice last week. “It was exciting,” Grantham said with a rare grin. “He looked good. I was fired up.” Here’s a what Ogletree had to say about the injury ordeal and his feelings as he prepares to come back against the Gators:
Q: What exactly happened to break your foot?
A: “I just stepped and tried to turn and run and my foot didn’t turn with me. It just stayed there and popped.”
Q: Do you think it was those new Nike Pro combat shoes?
A: “I don’t really know. It was bound to happen from what the doctors told me. It just happened to happen then.”
Q: I heard you actually played a while with your foot broken. That true?
A: “I played two series with it broken. When I did it, I just started saying, ‘man, I think I broke my foot.’ I tried to shake it off but as play kept going I knew I had actually done something bad to it. I was telling all the guys, ‘I think I broke my foot.’ They were just yelling, ’shake it off, man!’ But I could tell it was bad.”
Q: What was going through your mind when you realized you were seriously injured?
A: “I was devastated actually. I’d never been injured to the point I was sidelined for a long period of time. So it was kind of hard for me. But at the same time I knew I had guys who could back me up and step in and play. And that’s what they’ve been doing, so it really hasn’t been a problem.”
Q: Any concerns whatsoever with the foot now?
A: “No. I don’t feel any pain at all. I just try not to think about it and just go out there and play.”
Q: What did you think of the job Mike Gilliard, Amarlo Herrera, Jeremy Sulek and those guys did in your absence?
A: “I had great confidence in what we could do because of how hard we worked in the offseason and how guys had a different state of mind than last year, the work ethic and stuff. They did a wonderful job as far as stepping into play for both me and Christian [Robinson]. So I give big ups to the guys for that. I mean, I didn’t think ‘Mike G’ was going be SEC Player of the Week, but I knew he could play. So that part wasn’t a surprise. Amarlo stepped up real good for us, too.”
Q: They have played awfully well. Are you worried how you might fit back in?
A: “That’s up to the coaches. Everybody is still going to come out and work hard. No position is given to you around here, so you’ve got to work for it. And that’s what I’m going to do. Each and every day, all four of us, me, Christian, Mike G and Amarlo, we’re going to go out there and work every day, whether I’m starting or he’s starting or whoever’s starting.”
Q: Any discussion of you playing some strong safety with Shawn Williams out for the first half?
A: “No, I don’t think so. I’m just trying to get back into the flow of things at linebacker.”
Q: You and Cornelius Washington both come back this week, but y’all lose Williams and Kwame Geathers for a half. Has it been frustrating not being able to have the full defensive complement on the field for this team?
A: “Like I’ve said, each of the 11 positions on this defense, everybody’s got backups that can step into play any time. So with them coming out I know we’ve got guys that can back them up.”
Q: How eager are you to play again in a real game?
A: “I’m very anxious to get back out there in a game and get going again. I’ve been out so long, right now I’m just trying to work on my conditioning and trying to jell back with the defense. I just want to help my team the best I can.”
|– Chip Towers
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367 comments Add your comment
OkieDawg
October 24th, 2011
10:36 am
In the Vandy game, the O-line missed too many blocking assignments. There were too many unblocked defenders rushing Murray or the RBs. If the O-line does its job, the Dawgs beat Florida. The running game and passing game can roll given the time and good blocking. The defense is sound. Let’s go O-line….FOCUS.
Thomas Brown
October 24th, 2011
10:37 am
i am an idiot
7576DAWG
October 24th, 2011
10:39 am
Florida will definitely try and take advantage of our extremely poor special teams play. I will be very interested to see what CMR has done to improve that part of our team. I don’t think CMR really gave special teams play much credit in the past but as many gift touchdowns as we have given this year hopefully he now will take it serious.
prison mike
October 24th, 2011
10:46 am
MM doesn’t need to practice really. He has become the best receiver on the roster the moment he signed. A couple weeks inactive is not something that hurts a guy that gets by on almost pure talent.
I say sit him out until Thursday and let him do blocking and catching drills.
DawginLex
October 24th, 2011
10:46 am
If anyone is in favor of joining me in an effort to have Thomas Brown/Bulldawg/Ohio State is unranked banned from Chip’s blog, please send an e-mail to:
ctowers@ajc.com
as I have already done.
There is absolutely no reason that we have to put up with reading his drivel when the rest of us are trying to comment about the topic at hand and about UGA football.
Thanks.
Mad Dog One
October 24th, 2011
10:53 am
@ Thomas Brown, Son if they shoved your brain up a nat’s a$$ it would sound like a BB in a box car. With Tree back and Big J clogging up the middle and the rest of the D I think we can hold the “belly sliders” (I love that NUB) O in check. If CMB & CMR will keep the pressure on for 4 quarters AND NOT SIT ON 7 POINTS we should be alwright. As always GO DOGS & GATA.
OkieDawg
October 24th, 2011
11:01 am
cbssports.com has an article on an interview with CMR. In the article, he says Mitchell is ready to return from his injury. That sounds like MM is ready to go. CMR is aways very cautious in reporting on injured players.
Tech Sucks
October 24th, 2011
11:02 am
So good to have him back. Our defense is going to pound UF this weekend.
Mexdawg
October 24th, 2011
11:10 am
JUST BEAT THE GATORS BABY.I´m heading up from Mexico to watch you guys please don´t let me down.I know you can do it.I say get Vince and Hershel to give you a pep talk before the game.GO OUT AND WIN THIS GAME FOR COACH RICHT AND THE STATE OF GEORGIA.LET THE BIG DAWG EAT.
Restore UGA
October 24th, 2011
11:16 am
“Dumba$$” “Pain in the rear”
It sounds like Richt is having a butt fixation.
JAWJeRDAWG
October 24th, 2011
11:26 am
Mexdawg
Have a safe journey to and from Jax, and I hope you head home a Happy Dawg fan!
Enjoy the trip! .. Go Dawgs!
McDawg
October 24th, 2011
11:36 am
i hope we don’t rush MM back
does anyone really believe that OSU is the 3rd best team in the country?
C from Marietta
October 24th, 2011
11:45 am
Buzzzz your spewing BS. Air Force has the highest SAT scores in NCAA football.
MARK
October 24th, 2011
11:53 am
WE HAVE PLAYED 2 DECENT TEAMS THIS YEAR AND LOST TO BOTH,WE ARE AT LEAST 28 POINTS WORSE THAN ALA OR LSU JUST ON COACHING, I’D SAY 50/50 THIS WEEKEND.
D BAG TROLLS!!!!
October 24th, 2011
11:55 am
Buzzzzzzzzz: you win the DBAG of the day award! 100% DBAG
So
October 24th, 2011
11:57 am
just like tech, ga beats a few second rate teams and they make it into the top 25, but reality is coming this Saturday. Gators put a chomping on that dog butt and send them back to “well at least we beat tech” every year.
Tech Poo
October 24th, 2011
11:58 am
Haha YECH lost again! HC offense is not working again. Keep CPJ forever!!!!
Terry
October 24th, 2011
11:59 am
DawginLex, Tennesse held their on with Bama the first half with out their QB and Best reciever.
LHarding Dawg
October 24th, 2011
11:59 am
Hey Lex, he does’nt bother me. I don’t read the fool!
MO DAWG
October 24th, 2011
12:00 pm
We just need a WIN. I don’t care how we get it. Regardless if the East is up or daown , we want to beat those Gators and send Charlie Weis packing.
Envy them DAWGS?
October 24th, 2011
12:01 pm
UGA rocks and you know it or else you would not spend time blogging about them DAWGS! LMFAO!
Toccoa Dawg
October 24th, 2011
12:01 pm
Just beat those Lilly Lizards and send a message that the Georgia D is BACK.
Toccoa Dawg
October 24th, 2011
12:02 pm
Hey Techies where is Tech ranked?
1eyedJack
October 24th, 2011
12:03 pm
Remember, Muschamp gauranteed a win over Georgia.
I'mYourHuckleberry
October 24th, 2011
12:04 pm
No misfits claiming first….:……
1eyedJack
October 24th, 2011
12:04 pm
“Hey Techies where is Tech ranked?”
They’re just rank.
Joe Louis
October 24th, 2011
12:17 pm
The same folks that call you Muschamp on the way in call you Muschump on the way out.
AltamahaDawg
October 24th, 2011
12:19 pm
First
Spaceman Spiff
October 24th, 2011
12:27 pm
@buzzzzzzz
If resorting to your typical excuse making trash and long posts make you feel better, then by all means give us some more please!
ATLnative
October 24th, 2011
12:28 pm
GATA Tree! CMR, Please remind all our players that Muschamp guaranteed a FLA fan preseason that FL would never lose to UGA! Let’s make him choke on it.
Hairy Perry
October 24th, 2011
12:29 pm
All the sobbing TECHIES WAAAAAAAAAA WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hairy Perry
October 24th, 2011
12:32 pm
WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!
JAWJeRDAWG
October 24th, 2011
12:34 pm
@ THWG
There are many financially and professionally successful UGA grads that will disagree with your conjecture.
But keep on thinking that if it will make you feel ‘better’. and .. Go Dawgs!
Hairy Perry
October 24th, 2011
12:34 pm
No matter what happens, just think you could have been raised to cheer on the ole puke yellow and white!
TampaDawg
October 24th, 2011
12:37 pm
sunny purdue
October 24th, 2011
9:06 am
Weis > Grantham
Muschamp > Bobo
Gators win big – again.
——————————–
My 7 year old could have drawn that up, but it doesn’t mean he would be right.
UGA wins this one, and Sunny goes back into his closet.
It's Obvious
October 24th, 2011
12:37 pm
Grantham vs Weiss? FL wins in a beatdown!!
Jaw
October 24th, 2011
12:37 pm
They have a seething hatred for all things red and black. Look at our series with them. If they spent half the time trying to build a program as they do hating UGA football they might have something.
Spaceman Spiff
October 24th, 2011
12:37 pm
Ever notice how the resident fruit bat Thomas Brown wanna-be post’s change every once in a while?
News | MrSEC.com
October 24th, 2011
12:37 pm
[...] expects John Brantley to practice today and to play on Saturday.4. Georgia will counter with the return of safety-turned-linebacker Alec Ogletree.5. For Mark Richt, ending a three-game losing streak to the Gators is of major [...]
DIT
October 24th, 2011
12:39 pm
“just think you could have been raised to cheer on the ole puke yellow and white!”
I think I would rather have my nads kicked with a metal spiked boot……
TampaDawg
October 24th, 2011
12:40 pm
THWG
October 24th, 2011
12:13 pm
Hmm, last I saw Tech was ranked 28 in the WORLD as an academic institution which is what it’s supposed to be all about. Not that leg humpers care anything about getting an actual useful education or job.
—————————————–
http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities/data/spp+50
Actually, they are number 36 in the US which would make it highly unlikely to be number 28 in the WORLD as you put it. That being said, UGA is number 62 in the nation which is nothing to sneeze at either. Not that you trolls would actually care to use real information for your posts.
It's Obvious
October 24th, 2011
12:40 pm
expects John Brantley to practice today and to play on Saturday……UhOh….the Dawgs are done!!!
Hairy Perry
October 24th, 2011
12:41 pm
Georgia Tech = The Woody Allen of college football.
It's Obvious
October 24th, 2011
12:41 pm
Enter your comments here
1969 Graduate
October 24th, 2011
12:42 pm
I hope we beat Florida, but history shows that we often find a way to lose to the Gators.
Anybody that thinks we have a good team isn’t paying much attention. Anybody that thinks we really should be in the top 25 group should name at least one team in that group which is clearly not as good as the Georgia football team.
Have we beat anybody who beat anybody?
How have other teams (good teams) done against the teams we beat?
TampaDawg
October 24th, 2011
12:42 pm
It’s Obvious
October 24th, 2011
12:37 pm
Grantham vs Weiss? FL wins in a beatdown!!
————————–
How’s that been working out for ya? Especially against Awbun … lol
Hairy Perry
October 24th, 2011
12:42 pm
It’s Obvious,
I’m sure your emotional stabiblity depends on it. Freakin’ Nat.
It's Obvious
October 24th, 2011
12:43 pm
Maybe UGA needs to bring that old fossil Munson out of the closet for this one….nevermind, Ugag still gets their butts whipped…we own you!!
TampaDawg
October 24th, 2011
12:44 pm
So
October 24th, 2011
11:57 am
just like tech, ga beats a few second rate teams and they make it into the top 25, but reality is coming this Saturday.
——————————
Then after UGA wins, you will only come on here to talk about how weak Florida is this year so it shouldn’t eve count in the standings. You dorks are so predictable.
DIT
October 24th, 2011
12:45 pm
Guys “It’s Obvious” is a tekie. They love to hide behind Florida’s success because they have none of their own. Ignore the twerp.