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Wyche: Atogwe won’t sign tender with Rams

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  • #1

    Wyche: Atogwe won’t sign tender with Rams

    Oshiomogho Atogwe is one of the more interesting names among restricted free agents. He was extended the low tender offer by the Rams, giving the team only the right of first refusal on its starting strong safety. From the outset, it was a situation we knew would reach a conclusion about now.

    NFL.com senior writer Steve Wyche told “NFL Total Access” on Monday that Atogwe will not sign his tender. That decision increases the likelihood that Atogwe will be someone else’s starting strong safety next season.

    The key date in the whole scenario is June 1. The Rams continue to hold exclusive negotiating rights with Atogwe and can try to sign him to a long-term deal. On June 1, because the Rams tendered Atogwe at $1.226 million (significantly less than his 2009 salary), they hold the option of extending an offer at 110 percent of his salary (nearly $7 million) to retain his rights or releasing him to become an unrestricted free agent.

    Atogwe, who played under a $6.3 million franchise tag in 2009, ended the season by missing the final four games with a shoulder injury. Time is running out, and we’ll soon find out if the Rams — who acquired Kevin Payne from the Bears last month — have completely closed the door on Atogwe.


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  • #2
    Re: Wyche: Atogwe won’t sign tender with Rams

    So I guess there is now no possibility that we can trade him? Too bad...

    Comment

    • #3
      Re: Wyche: Atogwe won’t sign tender with Rams

      No way they pay 7 mil for a safety. I can't even think of a safety worth that ... and that's no disrespect towards OJ. Great guy and good safety. Just sayin' .... 7 mil?
      If a team won their division seven straight times, that would be a NFL record. Now add on that team did it with seven different QB's in seven straight years,that record is unbeatable. To do that feat, you must of had a great Defense. Jack Youngblood was the captain of that defense.

      Comment

      • #4
        Re: Wyche: Atogwe won’t sign tender with Rams

        Originally posted by Dwight Frye View Post
        No way they pay 7 mil for a safety. I can't even think of a safety worth that ...
        Uhhhh, Troy Polamalu minus the injuries.

        On topic: Yea Atogwe's an outstanding safety but if he's asking for an overpayment, then we'll have to attain our services elsewhere.


        ♪ R.I.P. Nujabes ♫

        Comment

        • #5
          Re: Wyche: Atogwe won’t sign tender with Rams

          The Rams still have this month to resign him. I would be a bit disappointed of the Rams released Atogwe, despite some of his struggles against the run, his play making abilities helped the Rams stay in the game when things got rough. Sure Payne might pan out alright, but as of now Atogwe is the most prove, solid safety on the roster.

          Comment

          • #6
            Re: Wyche: Atogwe won’t sign tender with Rams

            Originally posted by eric2810 View Post
            The Rams still have this month to resign him. I would be a bit disappointed of the Rams released Atogwe, despite some of his struggles against the run, his play making abilities helped the Rams stay in the game when things got rough. Sure Payne might pan out alright, but as of now Atogwe is the most prove, solid safety on the roster.
            Can't ignore the fact that he's still rehabbing a shoulder injury, apparently is suffering from a hernia (i forget where), and is asking to be one of the highest paid safeties in the league at 28, coming off of injuries, and after a down year.

            As much as Rams fans like to praise Atogwe, he isn't irreplaceable and needs to get with the program or get lost.

            I'd love to have him back, but it sounds like he's making it hard..

            Comment

            • #7
              Re: Wyche: Atogwe won’t sign tender with Rams

              Okay Flip. Polamalu. I'll give you that one.

              Betcha can't name another.
              If a team won their division seven straight times, that would be a NFL record. Now add on that team did it with seven different QB's in seven straight years,that record is unbeatable. To do that feat, you must of had a great Defense. Jack Youngblood was the captain of that defense.

              Comment

              • #8
                Re: Wyche: Atogwe won’t sign tender with Rams

                Ed Reed?

                If Atogwe walks this team is basically devoid of a real FS then, correct? Payne was brought in, but I believe he's more of an in-the-box SS and I thought the same label applied to Craig Dahl. I suppose Spags could shift Butler to FS and let the other two guys share time at SS, but then you have a player out of position and who knows how that'd work out.

                Comment

                • #9
                  Re: Wyche: Atogwe won’t sign tender with Rams

                  NFL.com senior writer Steve Wyche told “NFL Total Access” on Monday that Atogwe will not sign his tender. That decision increases the likelihood that Atogwe will be someone else’s starting strong safety next season.
                  Except for the fact that he's a free safety, not a guy you would want to put in the box for run support.

                  Atogwe, who played under a $6.3 million franchise tag in 2009, ended the season by missing the final four games with a shoulder injury. Time is running out, and we’ll soon find out if the Rams — who acquired Kevin Payne from the Bears last month — have completely closed the door on Atogwe.
                  Warner4prez is right, Payne is more of a factor with Butler rather than Atogwe. In any case, I like O.J., but he's still got some deficiencies in his game and coming off an injury, he's not worth what he seems to be looking for. I'll be surprised if he get's that kind of money from any team. I've read that Dallas is interested, but are balking at the dollars. Guess we'll see what's going to happen soon.

                  Comment

                  • #10
                    Re: Wyche: Atogwe won’t sign tender with Rams

                    If he leaves, its just more of the same folks. Ownership in transition, no real attempt apparantly to sign him to a long term deal. Tried to get away on the cheap with the lowest level tender. We would be looking at a significant downgrade positionally and creating another hole on the defense that is already highly suspect. Until we get a real owner, dont look for any real serious financial moves.

                    Ramming speed to all

                    general counsel

                    Comment

                    • #11
                      Re: Wyche: Atogwe won’t sign tender with Rams

                      Considering how cheaply the Rams have spent the offseason, I wouldn't rule out the Rams getting him signed to a contract. I said last December that it was possible they would let him walk. He's about to turn 29. For a FS, they usually peak at 28 and begin the slide. Seriously overpaying him for 1 more season and letting him walk THEN isn't out of the question.

                      The article saying he's a SS is a joke. But the Rams have David Roach and Craig Dahl has played some FS. They could also sign Ken Hamlin.

                      Comment

                      • #12
                        Re: Wyche: Atogwe won’t sign tender with Rams

                        If OJ goes FA, I would suspect a "not St Louis discount" in his next contract wherever he lands. He probably wants out for all the reasons GC wrote above.
                        Semper Fi!

                        Comment

                        • #13
                          Re: Wyche: Atogwe won’t sign tender with Rams

                          How is this news? We've known for months that Atogwe was not going to sign the tender.

                          I don't agree that this has anything to do with the ownership situation. The Rams have been unable to sign Atogwe to a long-term deal for two years now (last year they used the franchise tag). Clearly, he (and his agent) are setting the price too high.

                          If Atogwe is not reasonable, the Rams can either use the stop-gap of paying him 110% of his 2009 salary or let him go. Craig Dahl played well last year when Atogwe was out and, as Rebel Yell noted, Hamlin could be a cheaper option.

                          Comment

                          • #14
                            Re: Wyche: Atogwe won’t sign tender with Rams

                            This sucks but at the same time it seems necessary. The biggest downfall is if we lose him and don't get anything for him. Would be nice if he signed his tender so we could trade for something.

                            Comment

                            • #15
                              Re: Wyche: Atogwe won’t sign tender with Rams

                              Originally posted by Dwight Frye View Post
                              Okay Flip. Polamalu. I'll give you that one.

                              Betcha can't name another.
                              Bob Sanders minus the errors


                              In regards of Atogwe not signing the tender I think he is just trying to put presure on the Rams to get a deal done where he gets as much money as possible. I hope we can keep him here. But I agree 7 million would be to high a price for him.

                              Comment

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                              Related Topics

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                              • MauiRam
                                Atogwe will remain with Rams
                                by MauiRam
                                Atogwe will remain with Rams
                                By Jim Thomas
                                ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
                                04/19/2008

                                NOVEMBER 11, 2007--Oshiomogho Atogwe #21 of the St. Louis Rams is tackled after making an interception by David Patten #81 of the New Orleans Saints.
                                (Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

                                Apparently, the first-round tender offer placed on Rams safety Oshiomogho "O.J." Atogwe by the team was steep enough to scare off any potential suitors.

                                Friday was the deadline for restricted free agents to receive contract offers from other NFL teams. And by late Friday afternoon, the Rams had received no such offer sheet on Atogwe. The exact deadline was 11 p.m. Friday, but league sources told the Post-Dispatch earlier in the day that none would be forthcoming.

                                Had Atogwe gotten a contract offer, the Rams would have had the option to match the contract. Had they decided not to match, they would have received a first-round draft pick as compensation from the team that signed Atogwe.

                                Atogwe is expected to sign his one-year tender offer of $2.017 million with the Rams in the near future. Even while in limbo, he has been a regular at the team's offseason conditioning program this spring. Eventually, the Rams want to sign Atogowe to a long-term contract, but they have had only preliminary talks with Atogwe's agent on a new deal.

                                Atogwe, 26, led the NFC and was second in the NFL with eight interceptions last season. The third-round draft pick out of Stanford in 2005 finished third on the team in tackles (94) last season and also forced two fumbles
                                -04-19-2008, 02:45 AM
                              • AvengerRam_old
                                Atogwe: How did we get here?
                                by AvengerRam_old
                                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
                              • r8rh8rmike
                                Atogwe Will Skip Offseason Programs
                                by r8rh8rmike
                                Atogwe will skip offseason programs

                                BY JIM THOMAS
                                ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
                                03/12/2010


                                A year ago at this time, safety Oshiomogho Atogwe showed up for the start of the Rams' offseason conditioning program and took part in minicamps, OTAs (organized team activities) and training camp.

                                He didn't miss a thing even though he was named the team's franchise player, an unpopular designation for players seeking long-term deals.

                                But that won't be the case this year. The Rams' offseason conditioning program begins Monday, and Atogwe will not be in attendance. In fact, barring a change in contract status, Atogwe will be a no-show at all team activities this spring and summer, according to league sources.

                                Atogwe and his agent have declined comment since the Rams last week tendered Atogwe at $1.226 million, the lowest possible tender as a restricted free agent for someone with Atogwe's experience level in the NFL.

                                Those who know Atogwe say he's not angry, that he gets it — he understands this is the business side of the NFL. Nonetheless, those close to Atogwe say he isn't sure what to make of the Rams' low tender offer and wonders if the Rams might be dangling him as potential trade bait.

                                At the low tender level, the Rams have matching rights if Atogwe gets an offer from another team. But the Rams get no draft pick compensation if they decide not to match. But if Atogwe does get an outside offer, there's nothing to stop the Rams from telling the other team: "We won't match if you give us a draft pick."

                                This is the third offseason in a row that Atogwe has sought a long-term deal. He played as a restricted free agent in 2008 under a one-year tender of just over $2 million. Last year, he played for $6.34 million as the Rams' franchise player.

                                Had the Rams tendered Atogwe at any other level this offseason, he would've been entitled to $6.976 million in 2010, or 110 percent of what he made last year. So at the moment the low tender is costing him $5.75 million

                                The collective bargaining agreement hasn't been kind to Atogwe. Because 2010 is an uncapped year, Atogwe reverted back to restricted free agency status this offseason. With five years NFL experience, he would have been eligible for unrestricted free agency in a year with a salary cap. But in an uncapped year, it takes six years experience to be unrestricted.

                                On Monday, when the Rams' start their offseason conditioning program, Atogwe will be in Hawaii for the NFL Players Association's annual convention. Once he returns, he will continue his rehab from shoulder surgery and work out on his own away from Rams Park. Before suffering the shoulder injury Dec. 6 against Chicago, Atogwe had started 60 consecutive games for St. Louis. Since becoming a full-time starter in 2006, Atogwe has more interceptions and forced fumbles...
                                -03-12-2010, 11:23 AM
                              • larams1980
                                Atogwe to sign 1 yr contract..
                                by larams1980
                                Atogwe will sign franchise tender

                                Posted by Mike Florio on July 15, 2009 12:35 PM
                                Today is the deadline for signing franchise players to long-term deals. According to Albert Breer of Sporting News, it's also the day on which one of the franchise players will sign his one-year contract.

                                Rams safety Oshiomogho Atogwe, per Breer, will accept his one-year contract today, triggering a one-year guaranteed salary of $6.342 million.

                                Though it might be a coincidence, there's a chance that signing the tender is a precursor to a multi-year deal, possibly with a new team to which Atogwe would be traded.

                                If that's the case, the next domino needs to fall within the next few hours. As of 4:00 p.m. EDT, Atogwe and the Rams will be stuck with a one-year relationship.

                                It's unclear whether a trade after July 15 would permit Atogwe to sign a long-term deal with his new team. We've recently learned that the July 15 deadline does not apply to players traded before the last day for signing franchise players to long-term deals. But when the Bears were talking to the ***** a few years ago regarding a possible in-season trade of franchised linebacker Lance Briggs, the Niners determined that Briggs could not be signed to a multi-year contract.
                                -07-15-2009, 09:57 AM
                              • TekeRam
                                Rams say adios to Atogwe
                                by TekeRam
                                Posted by Mike Florio on June 2, 2010 6:48 AM ET via ProFootballTalk.com

                                When the clock struck 12 in St. Louis (technically, 11:00 p.m. local time), Rams safety O.J. Atogwe became a restricted free agent with no restrictions.

                                Howard Balzer of the St. Louis Globe-Democrat reports the change in Atogwe's status, which occurred due to a provision of the labor deal requiring teams to re-issue RFA tenders on June 1, and which would have required the Rams to offer Atogwe nearly $7 million in order to keep him.

                                The move comes as no surprise. When the Rams opted to tender Atogwe at the lowest possible level -- the only level that did not allow the $1.226 million offer to be trumped by 110 percent of his 2009 franchise-player salary -- it became obvious that the Rams wouldn't be re-issuing the tender three months later, when the rules require the team to offer at least 110 percent of the prior year's salary, regardless of the level that previously was tendered.

                                Per Balzer, the Rams tried throughout the day to work out a new deal with Atogwe. It's possible that Atogwe simply wanted to hit the open market. It's more likely that his agent had gauged the market in March and/or April, and that Atogwe knows what other teams are willing to pay.

                                Unless Atogwe wants much more than any team will offer, he shouldn't be on the market for long. Indeed, by now his agent should know exactly who's interested, and exactly what they'll pay.

                                Balzer points out that potentially interested teams include the Cowboys, *****, Vikings, and Dolphins. The Eagles reportedly will not be pursuing Atogwe.

                                Of course, it's also possible that Atogwe will find that no one else is willing to pay him as much as the Rams would pay, and that he'll decide to stay put.

                                Another issue that Atogwe will face is his ability to pass a physical. He finished the 2009 season with a potentially serious shoulder injury.

                                Because Atogwe did not become an unrestricted free agent as currently defined by the CBA (i.e., a player with six or more years of service whose contract expired), the "Final Eight Plan" does not apply, allowing the Cowboys and the Vikings (and the Jets and the Saints) to pursue him without limitations.
                                -06-02-2010, 04:24 AM
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