I'm getting scared...

[thickandthin]

Why is Atogwe not getting signed back? I know he had an injury but he is like the leader of the defense.. we can't afford to lose him and we are running out of time.

[AvengerRam]

Why is Atogwe not getting signed back? I know he had an injury but he is like the leader of the defense.. we can't afford to lose him and we are running out of time.

Wow, a lot of issues there...

1. We don't know if he's getting signed or not.
2. Yes, he had an injury (possibly two) and we don't know his status.
3. I don't know that he's the leader of the defense. Right now, I'd say that the leader, if there is one, is James Laurinaitis.
4. Can't afford to lose him is a bit strong. If he is healthy and reasonable with his demands, he is a player who the Rams should bring back. If not, he is not irreplaceable.
5. The Rams have until June 1 to reach a deal with Atogwe or up his tender to 110% of his 2009 salary. That's 26 days - plenty of time to work things out if both parties wish to do so.

[Drummerman1011]

Wow, a lot of issues there...

1. We don't know if he's getting signed or not.
2. Yes, he had an injury (possibly two) and we don't know his status.
3. I don't know that he's the leader of the defense. Right now, I'd say that the leader, if there is one, is James Laurinaitis.
4. Can't afford to lose him is a bit strong. If he is healthy and reasonable with his demands, he is a player who the Rams should bring back. If not, he is not irreplaceable.
5. The Rams have until June 1 to reach a deal with Atogwe or up his tender to 110% of his 2009 salary. That's 26 days - plenty of time to work things out if both parties wish to do so.

yeah and enough time for him to maybe pass a physical by then. Last time I checked he can't even pass a physical right now. Soo both sides are waiting until then I believe.

[PeoriaRam]

4. Can't afford to lose him is a bit strong. If he is healthy and reasonable with his demands, he is a player who the Rams should bring back. If not, he is not irreplaceable.

Our next best safety personally has a spot on every NFL blooper DVD for the next 3 decades, and there isn't much on the free agent/trade market in that position. For all intents and purposes, Atogwe is irreplaceable.

[The Optimistic Lamb]

The only reason some fans want to keep Atogwe around is because they feel he is one of the few stars on the Rams. When in reality, everybody is expendable. We can't rebuild a team when we allow ourselves to be hijacked by players demanding more money than they are worth. That was the Linehan strategy.

Cut the cord people.

[shower beers]

Our next best safety personally has a spot on every NFL blooper DVD for the next 3 decades, and there isn't much on the free agent/trade market in that position. For all intents and purposes, Atogwe is irreplaceable.

I'm curious to what you're referencing.

[AvengerRam]

Our next best safety personally has a spot on every NFL blooper DVD for the next 3 decades, and there isn't much on the free agent/trade market in that position. For all intents and purposes, Atogwe is irreplaceable.

What are you talking about? If Atogwe leaves, the Rams would still have James Butler, Craig Dahl and Kevin Payne to man the two safety spots.

I assume you're referring to David Roach, a popular target for fans, but he might not even be the #4 safety.

[MauiRam]

Why is Atogwe not getting signed back? I know he had an injury but he is like the leader of the defense.. we can't afford to lose him and we are running out of time.

I'd imagine just about everyone here likes O.J. and hope he gets signed to a contract commensurate with his worth as a player. It is interesting to note though, that he hasn't received any mega-buck contract offers from any of the other 31 teams. The Rams made it easy for those teams as well, by not placing a tag on him that made it mandatory for the Rams to receive a draft pick. Basically the Rams were willing to gamble that no team would offer him crazy money, and so far, it appears they were right to do so. They of course have the right to match any offer, but so far none has been forthcoming, at least none that O.J. and his agent were willing to accept. More and more, it seems that the Rams have handled this very shrewdly.

What worries me a lot more than Atogwe's returning to the team, is the fact we have no proven backup to Steven Jackson at this point with Jackson coming off spinal surgery .. I think our team can win more games without Atogwe, than without Jackson should he go down. Our current stable of rbs does not inspire confidence ..

[PeoriaRam]

I'm curious to what you're referencing.

James Butler's INT return Safety. Yes, it's one play, but it's a mind-numbingly stupid play.

[sosa39rams]

James Butler's INT return Safety. Yes, it's one play, but it's a mind-numbingly stupid play.

That play crushed my heart into 1 million pieces.

[LA Rammer]

don't be scared, it's only football

[thickandthin]

don't be scared, it's only football

hahaha I'll try not to be

[shower beers]

James Butler's INT return Safety. Yes, it's one play, but it's a mind-numbingly stupid play.

Oh man I can't believe I forgot about that! Ugh...