Tweet
On this site and alot of other sites I see alot of people saying we should draft Berry, or not to resign Atogwe. I even saw someone suggest moving Quincy Butler to FS. I don't understand where all the love for Atogwe is. This is a Ball Hawking saftey who creates alot of opportunity. The one bright spot on our defense for a while, and has an amazing attitude. Not to mention he has been snubbed out of a long term contract for the past two years even though statistacly he is the best FS in the NFL the past 4 years. Yeah he got injured this year, but that doesn't happen to him that often. This guy has gone to war for us many times and come out succesfull, I say we give him the contract he deserves and watch him pick passes and strip ball carriers like a mad man.
-
-
Re: Why no love for OJ?
I've seen one person regularly advocate for Berry on this site, and I'm not sure I've seen anyone say we shouldn't try to retain Atogwe. I think you're probably preaching more to the choir here than you would be elsewhere, though I do think Atogwe had a bit of a down season in 2009. -
Re: Why no love for OJ?
Atogwe is surely the future of our defensive backs. He will be around for years to come........ hopefully.Comment
-
Re: Why no love for OJ?
I think people saw that he didnt have as many picks as he did the season before, and think he has lost it.
But quite frankly teams just werent throwing much to where he was. When you can attack James Butler or Craig Dhal with a pass, why throw at Atogwe@EssexRam_Comment
-
Re: Why no love for OJ?
Im glad to see such a positive response to keeping OJ. Maybe I just keep reading the same peoples posts and thought more people were against him than actually were. Once again though happy to see that I'm not the only one who appreciates him.Comment
-
Re: Why no love for OJ?
On the day of draft 2005, I was yelling to draft James Butler in third and when we picked Atogwe, I was bit dissapointed. Man, what a fool I was.Comment
-
Re: Why no love for OJ?
I could see Atogwe being let go if a longterm deal isn't reached. If The Rams have to pay him about $6.5 mill for next year, I'm not sure DeSpags will feel he's worth it over Dahl who played decently in OJ's absence, is younger, and is a Spags NYG's guy.
That's a guess based on the DeSpags personnel MO & the business realities of the NFL. Nothing to do with sentiment either way.Comment
-
Re: Why no love for OJ?
atogwe's an excellent talent and great guy, but berry is an elite talent that could be one of the best defensive backs in the league in a few years. oj isn't quite on that level, but just below it, so i see where the idea comes from but picking berry is probably not realistic.Comment
-
Re: Why no love for OJ?
Key Word= Could
Berry could be one of the best in a few years.
Im not ready to wait a few years for a guy that could be good when we already have Atogwe.
Atogwe is already one of the best safeties in the league so using the number one pick on another safety would be crazy, in my opinion, they need to re-sign him. If they didnt, Berry would just be another young player on this very young defense. We need atleast one proven player and Atogwe is exactly that.Comment
-
Re: Why no love for OJ?
I'm all for resigning MR OJ! I actually love watching him play and seeing him usually around the ball and trying to punch or slap it out of the opposing teams hands lol When I do get a chance to see the rams play I always keep my eye on him..I think we'd be foolish not to sign him to a long term deal this year.Comment
-
Re: Why no love for OJ?
I'd be shocked if the team didn't make a bona fide effort to re-sign a player who is clearly one of the best on the defense and in his prime.Comment
-
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 -
He's one of the leagues top defensive players, PERIOD. Enough said. He's adapted to this system, and now you see his true value ...
He does it all period, for all angles ...
He is clearly Spags right hand man, he's always talking to O.J. ....
Most impressive, O.J. is always tutoring this team's OFFENSIVE players ....
Incredible man, incredible player ....
We are blessed!-12-05-2010, 07:32 PM -
I think the Rams either increase his salary by 110% or sign him to a long term deal, what do you think?-06-01-2010, 08:40 PM
-
O.J. has been one of our bright spots this year, and his great season continues with 2 INTs today against Brett Favre. O.J. now has 7 INTs for the year, leaving him tied for second, behind Antonio Cromartie (10) and with Marcus Trufant. This is all after he had his breakout year last year. Hopefully he can continue to develop into a stud.
So this is to send congrats to someone on this team who has really earned it during this season. Congrats O.J., and keep up the great work!-12-16-2007, 10:32 PM -
We'd better re-sign this guy when the time comes (Is it this offseason?) He's been my favorite player for over a year now. This guy is top 10 in almost every D category for a FS.-12-02-2007, 02:20 PM
Comment