The Tree experiment at MLB might end up being genius?

[Florida_Ram]

I know many of us were perplexed in the off-season when the Rams announced that Alec Ogletree was being moved inside to the MLB position.

I had my doubts as well because Tree was such an impact player at OLB in the GW defense. It crossed my mind several times thinking why the heck would they even try such a move?

I won't argue that Alec is best suited to play outside but this MLB experiment just might end up being a genius move by the Rams.

14 more games to see how this experiment plays out but after yesterday, Tree took a giant step forward and sure looked like an impact MLB on several plays.

Tree is next up on defense for a contract extension and no matter how this experiment inside pans out this season, I know we all hope the Rams get him locked up well before the season ends.

 

[RhodyRams]

Really surprised the yellow laundry didn't fly for a late hit on that play


But yes, Tree played with a chip on his shoulder after that bullshit PF call when he hit Wussell in the shoulder

 

[NateDawg122]

Tree is the man. His speed in the middle of the field already makes him better than JL. He was flying around the field yesterday. He looks like he's gotten stronger as he was plugging up runs regularly too.

 

[Dxmissile]

To me he is still way to undisciplined to play the position. He still reacts like an outside linebacker or a 3-4 linebacker. He almost hit Wilson 2 more times when he was slidding and his run support is terrible. I do expect him to get better, he makes those flash plays thays always good too see but how many times did we get ate up over the middle.

 

[Dxmissile]

Tree is the man. His speed in the middle of the field already makes him better than JL. He was flying around the field yesterday. He looks like he's gotten stronger as he was plugging up runs regularly too.

I honestly dont get the hate on JL. I hope Ogletree does become better because that would mean that he is on pace for an outstanding career but saying he is already better when he has serious flaws in his game is disrespectful.

 

[DaveFan'51]

To me he is still way to undisciplined to play the position. He still reacts like an outside linebacker or a 3-4 linebacker. He almost hit Wilson 2 more times when he was slidding and his run support is terrible. I do expect him to get better, he makes those flash plays thays always good too see but how many times did we get ate up over the middle.

It is only his 2nd game playing MLB, he's still growing into the position!

 

[…..]

I don't think its "Genius" level thinking to move a linebacker to another linebacker position.

We typically over react as a fan base. In the off season, we worried too much about whether Tree was going to handle the position well.. Now after 2 games, we'll casually toss around words like "experiment "and "genius".

He's playing well, but for those that know and understand the game, its not an experiment. Its just a change. Its not genius, its just football.

....of course, if he fails, they can quickly claim it was merely an experiment


Disclaimer- To me.....moving Barron up was pretty interesting and ingenuitive.. However, with a whole off season to consider the move and hire the positional prototype, we elected not to. So keeping him there this year is a more genius move than Tree.

 

[Dxmissile]

It is only his 2nd game playing MLB, he's still growing into the position!

Exactly I understand that, im not too high or too low on him right now unlike a lot of others right now. When he played terrible last week I wasnt ripping him and because he had a good game last night im not saying he better than JL.

 

[NERamsFan]

So far, Tree has done a good job lining everyone up and making plays. He still has a ways to go, but I'm excited.

I will say this tho, he needs to start pulling back on the questionable hits. They're great for the fans, but not for the game. Yes I thought the flag was BS but with Fisher at the helm the league will keep a tighter leash on us. Did anyone else see him go for another kill shot a few plays later where he launched himself and completely whiffed?

Love the aggressive demeanor just keep it under control Tree!

 

[StealYoGurley]

To me he is still way to undisciplined to play the position. He still reacts like an outside linebacker or a 3-4 linebacker. He almost hit Wilson 2 more times when he was slidding and his run support is terrible. I do expect him to get better, he makes those flash plays thays always good too see but how many times did we get ate up over the middle.

Seahawks ran for 67 total yards 2.8 yards per carry I can't remember a time when our run defense was that good under Lauranatis and that has alot to do with Tree. The niners ran for 150 yards, but only 3.6 yards per carry. Most of the big runs the Seahawks got were to the outside not up the middle where Tree resides. His run support far from terrible and he has been one of our better players this season in all defenses phases no doubt it.

 

[Boston Ram]

Just keep Singletary in Tree's ear and by the end of the year we may have a dominate player in the middle.

 

[BonifayRam]

Seahawks ran for 67 total yards 2.8 yards per carry I can't remember a time when our run defense was that good under Lauranatis and that has alot to do with Tree. The niners ran for 150 yards, but only 3.6 yards per carry. Most of the big runs the Seahawks got were to the outside not up the middle where Tree resides. His run support far from terrible and he has been one of our better players this season in all defenses phases no doubt it.

100% correct here!

No hate here for JL, but he was not a good fit for where Gregg Williams was taking this defense in 2016. JL proved to be a liability in GW defense in 2015. Simple as that. These different many base defenses that GW desires ....Alec is the perfect MLB'er.

We saw yesterday the new SSLB'er Josh Forrest when GW went to the standard 4-3-4 but after the first half the 4-3-4 was not utilized. Alec has his hands full with all these different working components departing & entering the field of play. The DL rotates heavy & the four safeties of Barron, Alexander, McDonald & Davis seem to be playing each other positions @ different times but Barron hangs with Alec up close for a majority of times. Those 2 Lbers are serious range rovers. Having then duel up on an opponent & we will see more game saving fumble recoveries in their future. Safety Cody Davis is seeing the field more & more when the defense is on the field & is our main gunner on ST currently. Safety Mo Alexander is still having issues in deep pass defense arriving late or just not arriving at all on those deep thrown passes. Mo is just not a natural free/ deep safety & when he is assigned up close his impact is always positive.

I've been hard on Lamarcus Joyner but in truth he is a starter yes he plays the nickel but its not a normal nickel he plays so many different roles & yes he has had a very tough time but as I watch this defense play more & more I see how much of a heavy load GW places on Lamarcus Joyner. So I will back off some because no other DB can do what short LJ can do right now he like a mixture of a corner, safety & LB'er wrapped up in a dinky short package.

 

[Dxmissile]

Seahawks ran for 67 total yards 2.8 yards per carry I can't remember a time when our run defense was that good under Lauranatis and that has alot to do with Tree. The niners ran for 150 yards, but only 3.6 yards per carry. Most of the big runs the Seahawks got were to the outside not up the middle where Tree resides. His run support far from terrible and he has been one of our better players this season in all defenses phases no doubt it.

I can remember plenty of times when our defense was as good or better the arizona game for 1. While i understand a lot of fans didn't like Jl because he wasnt a thumper, i just cant say a guy in his 2nd game is better than our all time leading tackler

 

[StealYoGurley]

I can remember plenty of times when our defense was as good or better the arizona game for 1. While i understand a lot of fans didn't like Jl because he wasnt a thumper, i just cant say a guy in his 2nd game is better than our all time leading tackler

I cant remember a time the Rams gave up 3 points or held an opponent to under 3 yards per carry. Certainly not any Arizona game last year. Palmer threw for 350 yards and Chris Johnson rushed for 5.2 yards per carry in our Arizona game last year.Frankly if Westbrooks doesn't jump offside on that third and long when we had Seattle backed up we would have shut them out. They did this even with serious questions at right corner.

I'm not hating on Lauranatis he did some really good things for us, but Ogletree is just a better fit for this defense because he plays faster, he is more aggressive, and he just makes plays

 

[NateDawg122]

I can remember plenty of times when our defense was as good or better the arizona game for 1. While i understand a lot of fans didn't like Jl because he wasnt a thumper, i just cant say a guy in his 2nd game is better than our all time leading tackler

It's not like this is Ogletree's 2nd game ever. He was head and shoulders better than JL last year. That playmaking ability doesn't go away just because he's moved to the middle.

 

[A55VA6]

Tree is gonna get that contract extension soon! He's playing well. Seems to be handling the responsibilities of the MLB spot very well.

 

[Dxmissile]

It's not like this is Ogletree's 2nd game ever. He was head and shoulders better than JL last year. That playmaking ability doesn't go away just because he's moved to the middle.

No but the opportunites are more and better for an outside linebacker in GW scheme the same way Barron came in and lead the team in tackles. Im not talking about his collective experience im talking about his experience playing middle linebacker.

 

[Dxmissile]

I cant remember a time the Rams gave up 3 points or held an opponent to under 3 yards per carry. Certainly not any Arizona game last year. Palmer threw for 350 yards and Chris Johnson rushed for 5.2 yards per carry in our Arizona game last year.Frankly if Westbrooks doesn't jump offside on that third and long when we had Seattle backed up we would have shut them out. They did this even with serious questions at right corner.

I'm not hating on Lauranatis he did some really good things for us, but Ogletree is just a better fit for this defense because he plays faster, he is more aggressive, and he just makes plays

Im talking about the arizona game when the defense scored all the points. I do agree that he is a better fit for the defense because of his athleticism but i just hate to see fans not appreciate a guy that played every game every snap knowing his team wasnt going to win, it could have been easy for him to let off the gas but he never did and Ogletree benefited from playing with a guy as cerberal and smart as JL.

 

[Merlin]

The Rams were right. AO is settling in very nicely in the middle, and he was layin it the F down during the game too. Noted him barking at the other players, to include guys like Joyner who had a great game himself.

But it shouldn't be a surprise; Greg Williams knows what he's doing. We're in good hands on the defensive side.

 

[NateDawg122]

The Rams were right. AO is settling in very nicely in the middle, and he was layin it the F down during the game too. Noted him barking at the other players, to include guys like Joyner who had a great game himself.

But it shouldn't be a surprise; Greg Williams knows what he's doing. We're in good hands on the defensive side.

Now if we can just get an OC that doesn't run it out of the heavy formation every freaking play...