The St. Louis safety could stay away from the organization all summer. Joe Fortenbaugh
The St. Louis Rams begin their offseason conditioning program on Monday, and it looks like they’ll be without one of their best players.
Safety Oshiomogho Atogwe does not plan on showing up and quite possibly could stay away from the organization throughout the summer, according to Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
The 28-year-old was tendered by the Rams at the lowest possible level (right of first refusal) this offseason, landing him a salary of $1.226 million and sparking speculation that the team may be looking to deal the veteran safety who has spent his entire five-year career in St. Louis.
The $1.226 million is a far cry from the $6.34 million payday Atogwe brought in last season as the team’s franchise player.
The former Stanford Cardinal has intercepted 15 passes over the past three years while starting 60 of 64 games for the Rams over the past four seasons.
You think the Chicago Bears may have some interest in Atogwe? They talked with free agent Antrel Rolle before he signed with the New York Giants and have been rumored to be looking to upgrade the position.
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This is the smart play for the Bears to make an offer to him with some kind of poison pill claus that the Rams cannot match. He would solve a big problem for the Bears. then they could use there first 3picks on players that could help right away. Like Geno Atkins for the 3 tech DT with there 3rd pick, then use there 4th and 5th picks on OL, then they use the 7th and losts of F/A signings to upgrade CB
The seahawks need to jump on the chance to get an amazing young safety. The rams are fools for wanting to split with a plug on defense like this guy. Go get em hawks
I think this has the makings of a draft day deal. Otherwise I don't see what the hold up is here. All indications are the Bears were willing to spend 6 mil. or slightly more a year for Antrel Rolle,& Atogwe is clearly the better of the two players. IMO he's the second best overall defensive FA in this years class. Especially when you consider the production on a team with no pass rush or special talent to help him at all. What would be more fitting then the Chicago Bears getting the two best defensive FA's in 2010 to go from a 20 something Defense to a top 10 perhaps top 5!
That's nice. Me thinks they'll try T.J. at RT during training camp a bit and draft a suitable guy to play behind Cliff for a couple of years.
Mar 12, 2010
04:43 PM
Thsi is the smart play for the Bears to make an offer to him with some kind of poison pill claus that the Rams cannot match. He would solve a big problem for the Bears. then they could use there first 3picks on players that could help right away. Like Geno Atkins for the 3 tech DT with there 3rd pick, then use there 4th and 5th picks on OL, then they use the 7th and losts of F/A signings to upgrade CB