michael brockers gets an extension

Rams media release:

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RAMS SIGN DT MICHAEL BROCKERS TO THREE-YEAR EXTENSION

LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Rams have agreed to terms on a three-year contract extension with DT Michael Brockers, the team announced today. After exercising Brockers’ fifth-year option during the 2015 offseason, the defensive tackle is now under contract with Los Angeles through the 2019 season.

“Retaining Michael was a priority for our organization,” Rams Head Coach Jeff Fisher said. “Our defensive front has always been important to us, and Michael has been a significant part in what we do on that side of the football since we drafted him. We’re excited that he is going to continue his career with us here in Los Angeles.”

Brockers, who was drafted by the Rams 14th overall in the 2012 NFL Draft, recorded one of the best seasons of his career in 2015. Following the 2015 season, he finished with career highs in tackles (74) and tackles for loss (12). His tackle for loss total tied for third among all Rams.

Since entering the NFL, Brockers has recorded 14.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery over 62 games (61 starts). Following his rookie season, he was named an All-Rookie selection by the Pro Football Writers of America and Pro Football Weekly in 2012

Brockers Happy to Stick With Rams

Myles Simmons

http://www.therams.com/news-and-events/article-1/Practice-Report-915-Brockers-Happy-to-Stick-With-Rams/6b1edc00-d180-4e54-bd9a-64e019c6ee19

Sometimes, it’s good to stay in your comfort zone.

That’s the sentiment defensive tackle Michael Brockers expressed after practice on Thursday afternoon — the same day the club announced Brockers had agreed to a three-year extension to keep him around through the 2019 season.

“I’m really excited about that,” head coach Jeff Fisher said. “I appreciate Stan [Kroenke, Rams owner] and his willingness to allow us to go ahead and do that.

“We’ve been talking for quite some time about it,” Fisher continued. “It’s important to keep our playmakers and people that we’ve drafted. We got a good deal for both sides. And Michael is happy about it, and so are we.”

“It feels good. It feels comfortable. It feels good to be wanted,” Brockers said. “I’m just glad it’s done. It’s done, it’s finished, and I can get that little thing out of my mind and actually focus on football.”

Not that Brockers wasn’t focused on football before, as the defensive tackles said he let his representation do the heavy lifting.

“My agent called me maybe a couple weeks back saying we’re getting close,” Brockers said. “I told him, ‘Don’t call me until it’s done.’ And that’s what we did. I’m just thankful and blessed.”

Because of that, Brockers said the situation did not become much of a distraction.

“But you know it’s there,” Brockers said. “That’s one thing that can be erased and get from distracting you and stuff like that. So it’s in the books now. Like I said before — it’s done, and it’s time to focus on football.”

One of the reasons Brockers wanted to stick around was the teammates with whom he’s become close. The Rams’ main core of defensive linemen — including Brockers, Aaron Donald, Robert Quinn, William Hayes, and Eugene Sims — have been playing together for years and the familiarity makes a difference.

“We’ve been through a lot with each other, so I didn’t want to leave them,” Brockers said. “You kind of get out of your comfort zone when you become a free agent and get that unknown. So it feels good to be here where I started.”

Linebacker Alec Ogletree said it’s good to see Brockers get rewarded for the effort he’s put into becoming a key cog in the Rams’ defense.

“I’m happy for him,” Ogletree said. “He’s worked tremendously hard to earn that contract. And I’m glad he’s going to be a Ram for a while here. Hopefully, we sign a couple more guys to keep everybody around.”

Brockers’ position on the defensive line is not the most conducive to racking up stats. But that doesn’t make him any less of a contributor to the unit, as he’s started 16 games for each of the last three seasons.

“He’s a big man inside and you have to have that nowadays for two reasons — one, for your ability to stop the inside run and two, to put pressure on the quarterback and collapse the pocket,” Fisher said. “He creates opportunities for everybody else and every so often he makes a big play himself. He’s been consistent week-in, week-out. He’s changed his body since his arrival, overcame some early career injuries, and has just been one of those guys you can count on.”

As a linebacker, Ogletree has good reason to want to see Brockers stick around. The way the defensive tackle can take up double teams helps free Ogletree to make plays.

When you factor in all the talent on the defensive line, it makes the situation for Ogletree even better.

“I mean, you couldn’t ask for anything better,” Ogletree said. “You’ve got, to me, the top defensive line in the league. So for me, it makes it a lot easier on me when I know they’re worried about the front four. I’m on the second level, so I have time to go make a play or something like that because they’re so worried about the D-line. It’s a linebacker’s dream.”

So Brockers will be around to keep a sense of continuity going with the players up front. And he’s happy to be doing it in Southern California.

“I love it. You can’t beat this weather. But I definitely see what you pay for out here,” he said with a laugh.