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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.
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Re: I'm getting scared...
Wow, a lot of issues there...Originally posted by thickandthin View Post
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. -
Re: I'm getting scared...
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.Originally posted by AvengerRam View PostComment
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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.Originally posted by AvengerRam View PostComment
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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.Comment
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Re: I'm getting scared...
I'm curious to what you're referencing.Originally posted by PeoriaRam View Post
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Re: I'm getting scared...
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.Originally posted by PeoriaRam View Post
I assume you're referring to David Roach, a popular target for fans, but he might not even be the #4 safety.Comment
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Re: I'm getting scared...
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.Originally posted by thickandthin View Post
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 ..Comment
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Re: I'm getting scared...
James Butler's INT return Safety. Yes, it's one play, but it's a mind-numbingly stupid play.Originally posted by shower beers View PostI'm curious to what you're referencing.Comment
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Re: I'm getting scared...
That play crushed my heart into 1 million pieces.Originally posted by PeoriaRam View PostComment
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Re: I'm getting scared...
don't be scared, it's only football
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Re: I'm getting scared...
hahaha I'll try not to beOriginally posted by LA Rammer View Postdon't be scared, it's only footballComment
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Re: I'm getting scared...
Originally posted by PeoriaRam View Post
Oh man I can't believe I forgot about that! Ugh...Comment
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I'm finding it hard to believe that the Rams are going to pay OJ Atogwae 7 mil for the 2011 season, when Polamalu was paid 4.3 mil in 2010. Now, not to put down Atogwae, but Polamalu is a once in a lifetime player.
I don't believe its fair to the rest of the Rams defenders if one player is grossly overpaid, while the rest of them have to cut a deal. Nor do I believe its a sound business decision, what leverage will the Rams FO have with Laurinaitis when his contract has to be renewed?
Please check my facts, im not a contract expert, but Atogwae should not make more, as much, or slightly less than Polamalu. What about Ed Reed? Bob Sanders? Daren Sharper? Antrell Rolle? Brian Dawkins? Hell... Earl Thomas and Eric Berry had more picks than Atogwae this season, and they're rookies. Although order is up for debate, any way you wanna look at it, there's a long list of names before OJ Atogwae.
His paycheck is just too much...
So what does the clanram think of drafting a replacement? Possibly 1st or 2nd?Yes, its too much to spend, draft a replacement7No, pay da man!!!!14-01-17-2011, 01:21 AM -
O.J. Atogwe has never come out and publicly complained about his contract. That does not, however, mean he has been reasonable in his demands.
Let's review...
Atogwe's first contract was a three-year deal signed after he was drafted in Round 3 of the 2005.
In 2007, his rookie contract expired. At that point, Atogwe had become a very productive starter, having finished 2007 with 75 tackles and 8 interceptions. The Rams retained him with an RFA tender of about $2M. They likely did not push too had for a long term deal, given that they were negotiating with Steven Jackson at that time (signed just before the 2008 season).
Last year, Atogwe became a UFA. Again, Atogwe was coming off a fine seaso (85 tackles, 5 interceptions,6 forced fumbles). The Rams tried to sign him to a long-term deal, even before the season ended. Ultimately, the Rams retained him with the franchise tag and paid Atogwe nearly $7M.
I think its fair to say that, at that point, both sides were gambling. Had Atogwe accumulated similar stats in 2009 to those he had in 2007 and 2008, he might have made the Pro Bowl, and he'd clearly command elite FS money.
Instead, Atogwe had a somewhat down season, and finished the year on injured reserve. He is now coming off two offseason surgeries.
Given these circumstances, the Rams did no wish to tender Atogwe a sum that would lock him in, as doing so could result in paying $7M to a player who might not even be 100% healthy. Instead, the Rams made a low tender and retained a right of first refusal, hoping to sign Atogwe to a long term deal.
Those efforts have, at this point, failed, and Atogwe is now a UFA.
So... who's to blame?
I'd say, nobody is. Both sides have behaved in a rational manner, applying varying degrees of risk aversion.
In hindsight, I think one could argue that Atogwe waited too long. He should have signed a long-term deal in 2009 when his value was at its highest. Now, if he is seeking the kind of money he would have received then, he might not only be pricing himself out of the Rams' market, he might also be eliminating several other teams.
I do think there is a reasnable middle ground that makes sense for both sides, but I don't know if they'll meet there. If not, I'm not going to blame anyone. I'll just wish Atogwe luck and hope the Rams find their answer at FS on the current roster or among the remaining FAs.-06-02-2010, 09:25 AM -
Here is an exceprt from an article concerning O.J. Seems like a real professional, just the type of pillar we need here ...
Many NFL players shun the franchise tag like an infectious disease, but Rams free safety Oshiomogho Atogwe said he’s glad to have that designation placed on him.
“I think everything is a good thing,’’ Atogwe said. “It’s a blessing to come out here and play. And to be thought of as one of the top five at my position is an honor. I relish this.’’
As the Rams’ franchise player, Atogwe is set to earn $6.342 million this season.
Atogwe has yet to sign the franchise tender, but that didn’t keep him from attending the Rams’ involuntary minicamp this week.
It’s extremely rare for franchise players who have yet to sign the tender to attend any offseason team activities.
“I don’t have to be (here) contractually, but I feel like I’m obligated to be here for my teammates and for my coaches,’’ Atogwe said. “Going forward in this year, if I want to be a part of this team I want to be a part of this team from the beginning to the end and I think it’s important that we all put aside our own personal stuff and just really sacrifice for the team. Put the team first and allow us to come together as one unit so we can get a lot done this year.”
Atogwe said he felt like it was important for him to be on hand for the Rams’ first minicamp under new coach Steve Spagnuolo.
“It’s our first minicamp so it’s kind of the grace period where you kind of learn how they’re coaching and they learn how we work,’’ Atogwe said. “From a first impression standpoint, I think it’s going to be a great marriage. It’s going to be a great community that we’re building here. I think the coaches are really pulling for us and really trying to teach us in a manner that’s going to allow us to be successful on the field and we’re trying to work in a way that’s going to allow us to be successful on the field.”
Atogwe also is trying to develop a bond with new strong safety James Butler, who came from the New York Giants to be reunited with Spagnuolo.
“Me and James, our communication and just our rapport is already on high just from us being together for the last three weeks.,’’ Atogwe said. “And knowing James since we both came out in the ’05 Draft, we already have that camaraderie. I think as I continue to learn the defense — he’s a lot further ahead in the defense than I am — and we’re on the same page as far as what we know, it will just take off from there.”
Asked if his agent has had any talks about a long-term contract with the Rams, Atogwe said, “I think there are talks in the wind. We haven’t really sat down recently to actually start working out the logistics or the specifics, but if it were to happen, then praise God. If it doesn’t, then praise God the same. I’m committed to this team. Like I said,...-04-03-2009, 06:08 PM -
Ross Tucker
SI.com
The St. Louis Rams need to do whatever it takes to keep O.J. Atogwe. Normally I would couch that initial statement with the phrase "within reason" but to me the Rams lost that right when they elected not to tender the playmaking free safety June 1 at 110 percent of his franchise player salary from a year ago. They had their chance to make sure they maintained his rights and they passed.
The Dallas Cowboys, with a need at safety, should make a strong push for Atogwe themselves. He is a clear upgrade and potential difference maker for a team that is desperate to play the Super Bowl in its home stadium. But it isn't just Dallas that should make a run at Atogwe. The Miami Dolphins, Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota Vikings, and others need to take a long look at him as well.
A common belief among league followers is that all of the attention being given to Atogwe right now is simply a matter of timing because there really isn't anything else of significance currently going on in the NFL. Though I'll agree that part of the attention is a matter of circumstance, he has toiled in relative obscurity for a horrendous Rams team and that more than offsets his unique early June free agency situation.
How well-known and highly regarded would Atogwe be nationally if he played for the New York Giants or the New England Patriots? We're talking about a guy that has pretty much been a turnover machine over the past four years. Just ponder his numbers for a minute.
Atogwe burst onto the scene his second year in the NFL in 2006 with three INTs, five forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. That's 11 potential game-changing plays in the NFL, where turnovers often can be and are the difference. In 2007 he wasn't able to force any fumbles. No matter, he more than made up for it by leading the NFC with eight INTs while also scoring a touchdown.
But 2008 was the real gem. Atogwe had five INTs, six forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries including another touchdown. That's 15 turnovers in which he was involved in that year, and the main reason why the Rams elected to franchise him after that season.
Last year was solid but not as spectacular as Atogwe had two INTs, three forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries before getting hurt in Week 12 and being shelved for the rest of the season. He still is the Rams best defensive player. Yes, Chris Long began to emerge down the stretch and James Laurinaitis was a surprise tackling machine as a rookie. Neither player makes close to the amount of potential difference-making plays Atogwe does. Not by a long shot. That's why the Rams need to sign him if they are serious about winning and improving on last year's 1-15 record.-06-12-2010, 09:26 AM -
Per Steve Wyche NFL.com from the article "Newton makes headlines; Gabbert garners teams' attention"
St. Louis let safety O.J. Atogwe's contract expire, making him a free agent. Even though there is talk about bringing him back, that isn't the Rams' first choice, a league source said. They really like Atogwe and think he is a nice player, but they are trying to get more physical at the position and might try to find more of a thumper and playmaker. That said, look for St. Louis to consider outside linebackers with some of their early picks in the draft.
This, coupled with some of the vague noncommital statements about bringing Atogwe back makes me think this is actually true. It makes sense given Spags style of defensive play and it falls in line with what we've been doing.
Atogwe is not fast, isn't great i coverage, and isn't known as a thumper but he can still make plays.
Given the fact that he was due a lot of money, especially for a safety, I wouldn't hold my breath about Atogwe coming back.
I like Atogwe and would love him back for a reasonable contract but I'm not of the opinion that the Rams will implode on defense without him (not in the slightest) and would not mind a change of heart at the position if indeed it came down to that.-03-02-2011, 06:17 AM
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