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
JAWJeRDAWG
October 24th, 2011
1:46 pm
ARdawg
Hope you’re doing well!
If I can get back on my feet and can stand the 11 hour drive out, I’d like to take another duck hunting trip back to the Bayou Meta area this winter.
Take care!
G-Dawg
October 24th, 2011
1:52 pm
Thanks O-Dawg!! You da man!!!
PLEASE KEEP RICHT UGA
October 24th, 2011
1:59 pm
FIRE MARK RICHT AND MIKE BOZO IF THEY LOSE THIS GAME AGAINST FLORIDA!
UGA Insider
October 24th, 2011
2:02 pm
UGA has not been ranked in the BCS top 25 since 2008 and fans here are predicting a UGA blowout this weekend? Wow!
JAWJeRDAWG
October 24th, 2011
2:05 pm
UGA Insider
Maybe I’ve missed those posts, but I’ve not read anybody predicting a UGA blowout this weekend.
bucket
October 24th, 2011
2:07 pm
Coach Mike Bobo may not be the best OC in the country, but he was/is a Damn Good Dawg and should be treated with more respect by UGA fans. Should he have turned the job down when Richt offered it to him? Should he just quit? I am hoping that Richt and/or McGarity can figure out a way to keep Bobo on board even if it’s not as OC (maybe recuiting coordinator) because the guy loves the University of Georgia.
JAWJeRDAWG
October 24th, 2011
2:08 pm
bucket
Well said, and I concur!
how2fish
October 24th, 2011
2:11 pm
I hope the Bull Dog nation remembers we are playing a team that has beaten us 5 of the last 6, that is coming off getting manhandled by two of the best teams in the nation.and then lost a close one to a pretty decent Auburn team. We don’t show up with our A game and we get beat period. I think we have the horses to win this one if we play smart and control the ball , let the defense get some stops and for the love of all that is hold PLAY BETTER ON SPECIAL TEAMS. The Gators are hoping we don’t take them as the same level of threat as in the last few years..they are, now they are playing to salvage their pride..lets GATA and Go Dogs !
UGA Insider
October 24th, 2011
2:13 pm
UGA 42 UF 10.
All of the UGA coaches privately want Brantley to play because he has a bumb leg and is NOT mobile to begin with. That allows us to pin our ears back and bring the heat all afternoon. UGA really struggles with running qb’s and that option will be off the table with Brantley. Grantham defends very well against pro-style offenses…it’s the spread he hates. Look for the UGA defense to at least have 6 or 7 sacks. Good luck to everyone and drive safe. This one will be fun for UGA fans.
Murphy
October 24th, 2011
2:17 pm
Demps and Rainey must be contained on the corners.With Brantley back they will spread us out and throw down field.Expect the Gators to try some tricks on special teams. Our defense must play great for us to win.I agree I do think we have the most talented team but our coaching staff worries me to death.This is a huge game for Richt and I certainly hope he treats it as such. GATA-Goooooo Dawgs Sic em!!!!!
azdawg
October 24th, 2011
2:24 pm
layinlow
October 24th, 2011
1:11 pm
You’re not the only one that has concerns about playing a healthy FL team. Looking at the dawgs wins this season doesn’t exactly ooze confidence especially the offense and as of lately the way the D and lack of special teams was gashed by Vandy late in the game leaves doubt about the coaches play calling on both sides of the ball. If FL comes out full strength it’ll be the best team GA has played since BSU and they beat GA with the pass. Yes, the D has gotten better and maybe Vandy was just one of those games but a non convincing win like that is not a confidence builder heading to JAX.
I think GA can win but it will have to be the best effort to date by both Offense and Defense and coaching. Cannot stress enough the play of special teams and getting caught off guard w/trick plays that FL is sure to try. Murray must have time to throw and how well GA runs the ball will be another key to winning this game. IC, et al, have to make yards after the hit. Walsh is not dependable anymore so getting in the red zone they must score TD’s and no turn overs!
Score and keep scoring to break FL’s will and keep them down. GO DAWGS!
d-dog
October 24th, 2011
2:24 pm
I Think I will go out on a limb. I think the Dawgs are the thrid best teaam in the SEC in 2011. Yes, you read it correctly. Only Bama, and LSU are better. I think Coach “R” AND coach “G” will put on a clinic the rest of the year. UGA in my opinion has grown up. They trust each other. So, the talking is over it’s time to play UGA FOOTBALL. Only thing is The DAWGS have not faired well in Atlanta. (1) Sugar Bowl loss to “WVA” (2) Kick off 2011 season loss to “BS”. ??? for SEC CHAMPS 2011.
TampaGator
October 24th, 2011
2:30 pm
Like the Dawg fans, I hope the Georgia players are thinking they are going to “blow out” the Gators this coming weekend. That would give the Gators a good chance in the game. Frankly, if Georgia does not win this year, the Dawgs may never beat the Gators again. The Gator D is very young, but good. But the offensive line is too inexperienced and the Gators have no playmakers at WR or TE….at least not so far this year. A healthy Brantley gives the Gators a chance in the game. Without him, the Dawgs win by 10 or more points, I think.
But….again…..Richt’s coaching career at Georgia might ride on him guiding Georgia to victory in this game. Lose….and every Dawg fan will want his neck in a round, tight rope.
This game will also speak volumes about Muschamp’s ability to coach up his players for a big game. He has not been able to do that so far this year.
TampaDawg
October 24th, 2011
2:41 pm
d-dog “Only thing is The DAWGS have not faired well in Atlanta. (1) Sugar Bowl loss to “WVA” (2) Kick off 2011 season loss to “BS”. ??? for SEC CHAMPS 2011.”
Since when is the Sugar Bowl played in Atlanta?????
King Gator (in Tampa)
October 24th, 2011
2:44 pm
Turnovers! He who holds the ball without dropping it will win on Saturday! Go Gators!
TampaDawg
October 24th, 2011
2:45 pm
Other than that d-dog, I agree whole heartedly
TampaDawg
October 24th, 2011
2:46 pm
King Gator (in Tampa)
October 24th, 2011
2:44 pm
Turnovers! He who holds the ball without dropping it will win on Saturday! Go Gators!
—————————-
Other than the Go Gators part, I agree with you here as well. What part of Tampa you in King?
AltamahaDawg
October 24th, 2011
2:46 pm
So, some tech fan says that UGA fans better not be predicting a blowout of “thier” Florida team and now we have Dawg fans lecturing other Dawg fans to stop all the predictions of a blowout? No wonder the trolls keep on coming in here. It’s too easy.
LHarding Dawg
October 24th, 2011
2:50 pm
After attending this game for 35 years, I personally can’t or won’t predict who will win. Many a year when we should have won, we did’nt. As far as, looking at future years, we have more play makers than Florida on the field and waiting for a chance to get on the field, so I believe we’ll be fine. We just need to get the jinx off our back and this would be a great year for that.
WDE
October 24th, 2011
2:51 pm
@TampaGator I assure you that the majority of Bull Dog fans aren’t thinking we blow out the Gators..we want to but know this will be a tough contest for both teams..much like the Auburn/UF game two weeks ago. And really Mushy has been able to coach up his guys? Heck against two of those teams no one else has been able to either.
TampaDawg
October 24th, 2011
2:55 pm
Well stated WDE .. UGA 27, UF 21
AltamahaDawg
October 24th, 2011
2:55 pm
Wondered that myself. A little harsh on Willie boy to say he hasn’t coached his boys in big games. Maybe that WAS coached up.
Kerryb
October 24th, 2011
2:57 pm
UGA 30 UF 10
TampaDawg
October 24th, 2011
2:58 pm
I sometimes think WDE stands for “War Damn EnglishBulldog”
DIT
October 24th, 2011
3:00 pm
If Murray throws no picks and IC runs for over 100 yards
UGA 28 UF 10
Murray gets INT happy: UF 31 UGA 14
LHarding Dawg
October 24th, 2011
3:01 pm
TampaDawg – It was played the year the storm hit New Orleans.
Kerryb
October 24th, 2011
3:01 pm
DIT, I dont see any circumstance what so ever than UF puts 31 points on our defense with Ogletree and Washington back.
DIT
October 24th, 2011
3:03 pm
Kerryb – Against our defense I agree there is no way they put 31 points on them. I worry about the “pick 6’s” that Murray throws in big games.
Trust me, I hope I’m wrong
Kerryb
October 24th, 2011
3:03 pm
I’m more worried about our punt coverage team than I am Murray throwing any INTS.
DIT
October 24th, 2011
3:04 pm
Good point
Murphy
October 24th, 2011
3:04 pm
Tampa Dawg-I have seen my hopes be dashed 18 out of 21 years down here.I sure hope our coaching staff has this team fully pre-pared on Saturday because I can assure all of the Dawg nation Muschamp and Weiss will for sure have the Gator team ready to go.Having Olgetree back will help negate the Demps -Rainey show with the outside runs.We must contain Dubose down the field though. Guess it just comes down to the old saying “A quarterback cant throw laying on his butt”.We must get to him fast and often..
TampaDawg
October 24th, 2011
3:05 pm
I think even if Murray throws one, UGA will win. But I believe that because I believe as a team (IC, Samuel, Carlton, Murray) the Offense will rush for over 150 in this game. That and I believe the D will do well against UF’s running game. That’s where having Tree back will payoff because his sideline to sideline speed can’t be duplicated.
WDE
October 24th, 2011
3:05 pm
@TampaDawg that was pretty funny..
TampaDawg
October 24th, 2011
3:06 pm
LHarding Dawg
October 24th, 2011
3:01 pm
TampaDawg – It was played the year the storm hit New Orleans.
—————————
Thanks for the clarification. I do aplogize for forgetting about that.
DIT
October 24th, 2011
3:08 pm
I would like to see our TE’s used a good bit this game.That talent has been under used all year. Talk about opening up the offense
TampaDawg
October 24th, 2011
3:09 pm
I know Weiss had a lot of success in New England, but honestly, he couldn’t get anything going with any consistancy at Notre Dame and the defense, well, obviously they didn’t put much emphasis on that either. He may have been great with Tom Brady and a juggernaut offensive line, but he has neither in Gainesville.
Go Dawgs!!!!!!!!!!
October 24th, 2011
3:10 pm
Tonight our Lord we are gathered as members of the Bulldog Nation and we thank you for the blessings of being a Bulldog.
We thank you for fall afternoons between the hedges, we thank you that we are blessed to hear the Redcoats playing “Glory, Glory,” and we give thanks for the chills we get when the trumpet tones the battle hymn. We give thanks for the smell of ribs cooking on the grills of campus tailgates and we gave thanks for the chapel bell ringing after a victory, and are grateful for the sheer joy of wearing red and black.
We thank you for those moments that we treasure, Tarkenton to Herron, the flea-flicker versus Bama, Appleby to Washington, that kid outa Johnson County running through two men, run Lindsey run, sugar falling from the sky, Butler kicking it a million miles, hobnailed boots that still hurt in Knoxville and Johnson in the end zone.
Tonight we thank you for Aaron Murray, a fine young man who did not charge us $180,000 to play quarterback.
Tonight we thank you that Mrs. Geathers and Mrs. Jenkins allowed their sons to discover biscuits and pound cake at an early age so that we might have a nose guard for the 3-4 defense.
Tonight we thank you Lord for the potato industry in Idaho so that the boys from Boise will have something to do after they learn they know nothing about football.
Tonight we thank you for the new Nike uniforms. We may not like them but we know they look better than a Gator in a tank top and jean shorts.
Tonight we thank you that as we gathered here that we have been blessed, we have been blessed to live in land that stands for freedom, for those who have given of themselves to defend our freedom. We thank you for the blessings of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness and we pray for your blessings to continue on we who are gathered here this evening that may truly understand that it is great to be a Georgia Bulldog.
Kerryb
October 24th, 2011
3:10 pm
Murphy, I dont think whoever is the QB is going to have time to get the ball to Dubose. This defensive line and LB’s should be getting enough pressure against their OL which is not as good as it has been in the past. We have an experienced secondary so I don’t worry a whole lot about their passing game. In the games in the past you could say that UF matched us or had better players at every position. Now you say that for UGA instead of UF. I think UGA has equal or better players than UF has now. UF may have a few track stars but UGA has better football players.
TampaDawg
October 24th, 2011
3:12 pm
Go Dawgs!!!!!!!!!! … may be the funniest post I have ever seen!!!
the Voice...of Reason
October 24th, 2011
3:12 pm
This game is a total mismatch
Murphy
October 24th, 2011
3:12 pm
Tampa Dawg
I feel pretty confident Weiss can out sceem Grantham-Thats what worries me about this game.The question is: Are we more athletic than the when we are on defense?
TampaDawg
October 24th, 2011
3:14 pm
I think so Murphy. The Dawgs at this point have a lot of bulk up front but a lot of real athletes at LB and in the secondary. I think they try to run it and get away with it once for a nice yardage play but after that, the well will be dry.
Kerryb
October 24th, 2011
3:15 pm
Murphy, are you serious? You think Weiss can throw anything at UGA’s defense that Grantham and Olividotti havnt seen in 11 and 14 years in the League. I’m sure from defending against him in the NFL they know Weiss’s offense very well.
Murphy
October 24th, 2011
3:16 pm
Kerryb,
How many times have we had the better players? Dont mean to be negative but do you feel our coaching staff is better? Thats really the key. I say no,but are our players good enough to overcome this on Saturday?
Kerryb
October 24th, 2011
3:16 pm
You saw how well Saban and Kirby Smart knew it. UF hit one play at the start of the game. After that….nothing.
Murphy
October 24th, 2011
3:18 pm
Kerryb,
I have zero confidence in Grantham sceems.Remember 2 weeks ago-Vandy? How many yards did they roll up? Gators have much better talent on offense.
Murphy
October 24th, 2011
3:20 pm
Kerryb,
Saban and Smart are on a whole different level than Grantham.Those guys have given up only 2 100 yrd rushing games in what the last 3.5 years?
ARdawg
October 24th, 2011
3:21 pm
JAWJeRDAWG
Daughter’s wedding last week has depleted my travel budget for sometime to come
Keep me posted when you head this way
the Voice...of Reason
October 24th, 2011
3:22 pm
Brantley will wish he had hammed this one up a bit when Ogletree, Washington and Jarvis Jones are done with his corpse. Florida hasn’t been able to handle a balanced offensive attack yet this season. Auburn beat them with nothing more than special teams and a running game. I’m tired of the “Jacksonville Blues” BS spin they’re putting on this game. Vandy is better than Florida this year.
Kerryb
October 24th, 2011
3:23 pm
Murphy, what Vandy did was bring in a QB that kept pulling the ball down and running. He did that because he never had any receivers open. We also shut down his running game. When they send the receivers long the middle opens up because the QB is the only one not accounted for. If he pulls it down and runs to open space that has nothing to do with scheme.