Whats going on with Atogwe ?

[Tiko377]

why wont the rams sign him to a long term deal? why was the tender so low? i dont get it

[AvengerRam]

Maybe his agent is asking for too much money.

[SLSG]

Because you can find somebody who is a better tackler and takes better angles a lot cheaper.

[PeoriaRam]

Because you can find somebody who is a better tackler and takes better angles a lot cheaper.

So why haven't we?

[AvengerRam]

Atogwe is the best turnover producer on the team. Whatever you think of his tackling abilities, he has a value. The question is... how much is he worth? If he's asking for a mint, I can understand why the Rams are not just handing him a contract.

As far as the tender goes, this is an unfortunate biproduct of last year's franchise tag. To tender Atogwe, the Rams would have had to have offered him 110% of his salary from last year, which is more than they wish to pay him.

In the end, I expect he'll be the starting FS for the Rams on opening day.

[tomahawk247]

Its worth noting that not only do we not have any news regarding the Rams resigning Atogwe, but we havent heard any news whatsoever regarding Atogwe signing elsewhere

[Nick]

Its worth noting that not only do we not have any news regarding the Rams resigning Atogwe, but we havent heard any news whatsoever regarding Atogwe signing elsewhere

Good point. No one, Rams included, seem to be in a rush to sign Atogwe. That can only be good news for the Rams, as it will drive his price down.

[dave626]

Waiting for June 1rst when he becomes an URFA. Why do our leg work,we'll just match anything that gets done before then.

[Tiko377]

Waiting for June 1rst when he becomes an URFA. Why do our leg work,we'll just match anything that gets done before then.

exactly i bet you the dolphins are eyeing atogwe like crazy after cutting gibril wilson and missing out on rolle and clark

[helorm341]

I think the tender shows that they WERE trying to sign him to a long term deal but his agent was asking for too much. So basically they took a gamble and let him test out the free agent market.

So far it seems like a very smart plan because I haven't even heard a rumor of anyone sniffing around Atogwe. I think he is indeed asking for too much. So either he signs a lower deal (which the Rams will match) or he'll have to take another 1 year deal with the Rams and all the risk that a short contract brings with it, especially considering the looming lockout next year.

Whatever you think of the front office they have been very very good at knowing exactly where the market is at. Bartell worked out well last year, same with Hall this year. Everyone complained about how much AJ Feely received but this off season we've suddenly seen a huge jump in backup QB salaries, so it looks like they actually got a good deal on that one.

[PeoriaRam]

You know, we've had a lot of fun with that McNabb trade rumor, but somebody really needs to ask Devaney if negotiations are in such a poor state that we would seriously consider dealing Atogwe.

[helorm341]

You know, we've had a lot of fun with that McNabb trade rumor, but somebody really needs to ask Devaney if negotiations are in such a poor state that we would seriously consider dealing Atogwe.

I just posted this in the McNabb trade thread but.... I don't think we could even trade him. Maybe trade the 'rights' to him, but no team would consider that a serious trade chip. He hasn't signed his tender so he is not under contract right now with the Rams.

Although I think your complaint is unwarranted, the rumor seems very false and Billy Devaney himself has already shot it down, so there is your answer.

[PeoriaRam]

It wasn't a complaint so much as it was a request for something in light of the absolute silence we've heard since we made the tender offer.

[RebelYell]

When will Atogwe be able to pass a physical?

[Nick]

When will Atogwe be able to pass a physical?

Good question. If he can't pass one by June 1st, the Rams are going to have an interesting decision. Because once that date rolls around, St. Louis has to either release him or pay him $6,976,000.