Atogwe awaits free agency

[RamWraith]

By Jim Parker
Canwest News Service
Wednesday, February 13, 2008

WINDSOR, Ont. - Oshiomogho Atogwe easily roamed through the street crowds at this year's Super Bowl in Phoenix, Ariz., virtually unnoticed.

"I'm a low key person," the 26-year-old from Windsor, Ont., said. "I'm still behind a helmet, so people don't know me."
But his time in anonymity might be quickly coming to an end as the St. Louis Rams free safety becomes a restricted free agent at the end of this month.

After a season where he led the NFC with eight interceptions, the five-foot-11, 210-pound Atogwe could be set for a big payoff.

"Free agency doesn't worry me because I know I'll be playing football somewhere next year," Atogwe said. "It's been a blessing to play as long as I've played. I can't ask for anymore.

"I've had coaches and teammates who have helped me to grow as a person and in this league, (success) has to be fast or it doesn't come at all."

Atogwe's free agent choices could be limited. With only three seasons in the NFL, he's a restricted free agent, which means the Rams can match any offer he receives.

"Free agency will take care of itself," he said. "There's not too much I can do. It's up to the team and the (interested) teams to decide."

The Rams have until Feb. 28 to set a compensation price for Atogwe signing elsewhere. It's expected St. Louis will make the compensation for Atogwe a first-round pick. That will guarantee him at least $1.85 million US next season, which would be a huge jump from 2007.

Although the Rams had the sixth-highest payroll in the NFL last season, Atogwe was 51st on the team's payscale earning $354,840. That despite having a career-high 75 tackles, eight picks, which was second in the NFL, and 12 knockdowns. Two of those picks were against Green Bay legend Brett Favre. He returned another 52 yards for a touchdown against Arizona for a touchdown that reminded him of his high school days.

"I got some good blocks and then turned the corner," Atogwe said.
The Rams, who selected Atogwe in the third round of the 2005 NFL Draft out of Stanford, have already approached Atogwe about a new deal.

"We've been in talks, but it's nothing too serious," Atogwe said of the Rams.
A big decision for him is whether to sign a one-year deal, which will make him an unrestricted free agent in 2009, or the security of a long-term deal.

"I'm still deciding on that," he said. "I love playing for the St. Louis Rams. It's a great organization and the fans are great, so there's some interest in a long-term deal. I'm more patient though and I know everything happens in time."

For now, he can look back on a breakout season that has made him a household name. He was a guest on the Jim Rome radio show during Super Bowl week.

"I had a good time," he said. "He was cool."
While he go to the Super Bowl, his stats would have made him a logical choice for the Pro Bowl, but his team's 3-13 season likely contributed to him being passed over.

"Someone has to be left out and it's not for me to say that I'm better than anyone else," Atogwe said. "I won't say I deserved it more than anyone else, but I know it's something for me to work for next year."

[r8rh8rmike]

We NEED to keep this guy, bottom line.

[Mooselini]

We NEED to keep this guy, bottom line.

Ofcourse we do. Let's just hope the front office realizes this.

[Varg6]

This will be a HUGE mistake if he is let go. Why can't we just keep up the momentum of GOOD things happening to the team like signing Saunders? Come on, these guys must know he's talented.

[Bar-bq]

He's the best FS we've had in a long long time. He must be retained and signed to a long extension.

[Goldenfleece]

I don't think this will be too much of an issue this off-season with a high tender, but it might be next year if we don't get him signed long-term.

[Keenum]

Don't screw this up Rams, he's too good of a player, and we can probably get him at a decent deal because not too many other teams know a lot about him I think.

[blood85]

We can't afford to lose him to someone else.

[majorram]

I'm sure the Rams will offer a high tender and see what he does this year!!

steve:l

[81~BIG-GAME]

Atogwe is the kind of young player that we need to build a team around, he need's to be signed long-term..

[laram0]

Atogwe's numbers were very impressive last season without much of a pass rushing front four.

75- Tackles
8- Picks ( 1 returned for a TD)
12- Passes defended

Image what his numbers will look like after we draft a DE that will help improve our front fours pass rushing abilities.

Hopefully our RAMS are thinking the samething???

[mde8352gorams]

We need to get him signed this year to a long-term deal otherwise the price tag goes up and the competition for him will get too intense!

Go Rams!:r

[Big-Dave314]

we need to lock this guy up for a long term deal and keep him in st louis

[Ramer]

I would be really upset if we let him go. We need to sign him to a long term deal.

[Drew]

say if Atogwe is let go and we end up with some washed up former `Phin or Vike....thats it...im off hunting!