3 reasons why LA Rams sign recently cut Giants LB Alec Ogletree?

Reason III – Better the veteran you know, than the veteran you don’t

Ogletree would arrive at his next NFL team with some talent and some flaws. Both would be well-known and documented. The LA Rams are quite familiar with Alec Ogletree, and Ogletree is familiar with the LA Rams.  Is that a good thing? Well, sometimes it’s better to deal with the veteran you know, than the veteran you don’t.

Ogletree made friends on the LA Rams. He played behind defensive tackle Aaron Donald. He was a teammate of running back Todd Gurley.  In fact, when the Rams traded Ogletree, Todd Gurley was clearly upset over the matter. Would re-signing Ogletree reverse the damage trading him away in 2019 caused? Perhaps not, but it would afford a chance to restore a welcome teammate to some of the key players on this roster. And rather than signing a free agent, the fact that the Giants cut him means he won’t penalize the Rams in terms of 2021 compensatory draft pick calculations.

Ogletree was a veteran leader for the Rams during his last time with the team. Toss out the contract extension and the lower than average grades earned by Pro Football Focus. Ogletree is not a good tackler. He typically fell in the bottom half of NFL linebackers. He was overpaid. But the Rams can negotiate a contract befitting of what he does produce, and limit the guaranteed money involved.

There is a calming influence on an NFL team with good veteran leadership. With the LA Rams likely to become much younger in 2020, the team would be wise to pause a moment and consider the value of the right veteran leadership. The Rams have leadership on the defensive line in Aaron Donald. The team also has veteran leadership in the defensive secondary in cornerback Jalen Ramsey.  But Alec Ogletree brings a different type of leadership. He brings the type of sage wisdom that comes with a history of the Rams organization. To some fans, that is not worth anything.  But to some who understand how valuable that voice of reason can be in the locker room, it very well may be worth an investment.