Here are five things you need to know about the Giants' new linebacker, Alec Ogletree:
- Originally a first-round pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, Ogletree led the Rams in tackles in four of his five seasons. He also owns three top-10 tackle seasons in club history while starting all 67 games in which he played. Additionally, Ogletree has one postseason start, which came this past season after the Rams won the NFC West.
- Ogletree's career numbers include over 500 tackles, 5.5 sacks, 43 passes defensed, six interceptions (two returned for touchdowns), 12 forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries. Aside from a fractured fibula that caused him to miss 12 games in 2015, Ogletree has missed just one game in his other four years.
- Ogletree played in a 3-4 defense last year under longtime coordinator Wade Phillips and tied a career high with 2.0 sacks. He also broke up 10 passes and returned an interception for a touchdown. James Bettcher, the Giants' new defensive coordinator, also runs a 3-4 defense with multiple looks. Head coach Pat Shurmur hired Bettcher after a successful tenure with the Cardinals, who saw Ogletree and the Rams twice a season in the NFC West. Â
- After a standout career at Georgia, Ogletree was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team in 2013. He led the team in tackles as a rookie in addition to recording 1.5 sacks, six forced fumbles, 10 passes defensed, and an interception he returned 98 yards for a touchdown. It tied the NFL record for longest interception return by a linebacker.
- A native of Newman, Georgia, Ogletree came out of high school as one of the top safeties in the country and was named the Class AAAAA Defensive Player of the Year.
DID YOU KNOW?
Ogletree is the brother-in-law of Giants safety Andrew Adams.
Photos of new Giants linebacker Alec Ogletree, who previously played for the Rams.