Time ticking away on decision for Rams' O.J. Atogwe

The St. Louis Rams have arrived at a moment of truth when it comes to veteran safety O.J. Atogwe.

Do they want him back for the 2010 season or will he be headed elsewhere? Today marks the deadline for the organization to either hammer out a longterm contract with Atogwe and his agent Ken Landphere or give him a 110 percent raise over his 2009 base salary of $6.342 million or non-tender him and allow him to become an unrestricted free agent, getting nothing in return.

It’s an interesting decision and what the club has certainly mulled for months since Atogwe was low tendered at $1.226 million as a restricted free agent which gave St. Louis only the right of first refusal. No teams came calling for Atogwe as an RFA so it’s been a high stakes game since. Atogwe will be 29 this season and he is coming off a shoulder injury suffered in December at Soldier Field. He’s been a turnover machine and a leader in the secondary for the Rams, but what value do you put on a safety?

According to Howard Balzer of the St. Louis Globe-Democrat, the Rams have until 11 p.m. in St. Louis tonight to take action. The report indicates Dallas, Detroit, Miami and San Francisco could potentially have interest if Atogwe reaches the open market. Now, it’s not an ideal time to become a UFA. The bulk of teams have spent the bulk of their budgeted money for 2010.

But if Atogwe has come this far in resisting overtures from the Rams to sign a deal, they would likely have to blow him away with an offer at this point to convince him not to at least test the open market. Plus, it certainly has to be possible that he wants out of an organization in the midst of a tedious rebuilding process. Atogwe might be able to shop his best offer with the Rams as well. Stay tuned.

Follow me on Twitter: BradBiggs