If true and I have no reason to believe its not, Atogwe is not going anywhere fast. Figured he and his agent were looking for the mother load. Item # 7 on the list in the link. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/peter_king/06/06/mmqb/2.html#ixzz0qBlZPhLJ Peter King-- I think the reason the Rams haven't jumped to sign safety O.J. Atogwe is pretty simple -- a disagreement on how much he's worth. Atogwe wants a contract averaging at least $7 million a year. But the Rams are wary of the big-money deals awarded to safeties who, for multiple reasons, haven't been worth the money (Bob Sanders, Gibril Wilson). Atogwe's a good player, and the Rams need building blocks like him to get better, for sure, but not for $7 million a year.
Factoid of the Week That May Interest Only Me I have to credit Gil Brandt for this one. At dinner one night, he asked, "Who was the player picked right after Bob Hayes in the 1964 NFL Draft?'' Bill Parcells, linebacker, Wichita State. Turns out Hayes went 87th overall in the '64 draft, Parcells 88th. And those are the kind of nuggets you get when mining the mind of Gil Brandt. Read More: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/peter_king/06/06/mmqb/1.html#ixzz0qEgbstpL Get a free NFL Team Jacket and Tee with SI Subscription
I honestly don't understand how that's relevant at all? I'm not trying to be a troll. I'm just honestly confused.
Yeah, same here, not knocking anyone but the Gil Brandt bit knocked me for a loop too. I checked it, he may have been pointing out another quote by King on a different page in SI ?
If no one's calling, you might just have to lower your price. And I mean NO ONE is calling. He may only play with T.O. if they have seats next to one another.
It could also be that his shoulder isn't completely healed that his holding suitors back. I don't know but one thing I do know is that Atogwe is a better FS than we have on the roster now. Naturally, none of us wants another Gibril Wilson signing and Atogwe doesn't exactly fit the prototype FS that this regime likes, but facts are facts. Clemons may very well develop into a good FS as may Jones. Culver may very well be able to 'hold' the position down while these other guys develop, is that really a chance you want to take ?? But isn't it a given that Atogwe is a better candidate than any of those guys right now (assuming health isn't an issue) ?? Is he asking too much, yes. No doubt. He's not an elite level FS like a Ed Reed or Troy P. and he apparently is asking for that much. What this screams to me is that he's going to end up back in KC and it's just a matter of time. He may even be pulling a "Ryan Clark" on us...just getting us to ante up the pot before he re-signs with them. As a pure fan, I may not like the idea of them signing Atogwe for what he's asking for, but it would be forgotten once those pads come on....
I wouldn't overpay for him at this point. I'd rather go into the season with what we have then overpay. I think we are more then 1 FS away from winning a SB.
Maybe, maybe not. Even with Atogwe, some other things have to come together. I mean, Henne has to become that QB we seem to think he is. Marshall has to stay clean on and off the field. Fasano or some other TE has to show that last year was a fluke. The OL has to figure out the G spots and gel into a unit that is at least as decent as they were last season. The two OLB spots have to cemented. At least one ILB spot has to be figured out. I don't think that Crowders' performance last season is enough to make him a complete given next to Dansby. Smith and Davis need to continue their ascension in play. Bell needs to have another year without an injury. We must find a returner. Etc, etc, etc. However, don't you think, even if we overpay for him, it would be better to have one less question mark going into the season ?? It's pretty obvious as of now, that this regime has made it's decision on Atogwe. They have a value on him and seem to be sticking there. That's fine. I don't disagree with that aspect of the business. However, getting this team to the next level may or may not be with who we have on the roster right now. An upgrade is an upgrade (as a player) despite what we pay for him. But again, it doesn't seem to be happening. If this regime was convinced on Atogwe, they'd be showing a lot more attention to him...
IMO we could be a FS away from winning a SB. We'd need luck just like any other team and a few key players would have to develop and/or play well of course. That being said, I wouldn't over pay either. I think he's a second tier S. He's not quite at that pro bowl level but he's close and he's a ball hawk which is valuable in a passing league where winning the turnover battle alone will win you +70% of your games. IMO that level of S at his age is worth about $4 mill/per. If you throw in that shoulder injury and the hernia issue and it might knock him down to the $3 mill/per range. If I can't get him at that then I'd be inclined to either go with Culver or hope that Clemons is ready to become the starter.
Yeah, I think Atogwe has to be viewed as a quick fix at this point in his career. I think if we were more established like a New Orleans was last year then he's worth the risk(health, age, and money). He might just be a year too early for our team.
Sorry, I actually like Kings MMQ so I read the whole article. The thing about Parcells was on page 2. I thought it was cool and wanted to share and since I found it in this thread... Im easily distracted, carry on
Sparano made a big deal about going on a multi week vacation so you have to wonder if Atogwe is on the radar at all.
IMO, the only team thats willing to pay him anything decent at this point is, the Rams. Read something yesterday that Detroit MAY be interested but nothing else. OJ is a good player as I have said but is no where near worth what his agent thinks he is worth. If the Rams want to give him a multiyear deal, which they do from what I read, thats his best option right now. Seems like everyone else is just not that interested at the suggested asking price.
