OT: O.J. Atogwe won't sign his tender so he'll become an UFA

[furley]

Would New England have an interest in signing him? You could pair him with Chung as the new starters at safety.

NFL Network's Steve Wyche reports that restricted free agent FS O.J. Atogwe will not sign his tender with the Rams, meaning he'll become an unrestricted free agent on June 1.

The Rams still hold exclusive negotiating rights with Atogwe until that point, but it appears he won't budge and is poised to leave St. Louis. Though Atogwe is coming off reconstructive shoulder surgery and a reported sports hernia, he will have plenty of suitors on the open market. The Rams do intend to meet with Atogwe this month, perhaps to make a long-term offer.

 

[JackBauer]

Re: OJ Atogwe won't sign his tender so he'll become an UFA

They already have the other starting safety in Meriweather. If Atogwe were signed, which I doubt, he would start over Chung, not Meriweather.

 

[satz]

Re: OJ Atogwe won't sign his tender so he'll become an UFA

He is coming from major surgery

so you want to offer a pick, a big contract and cut say mcgown and sanders in the 2nd cut date so you can keep him ?
sounds like a plan must be the rodney harrison 2.

 

[Kontradiction]

Re: OJ Atogwe won't sign his tender so he'll become an UFA

We don't need him. Safety is already deep with us and I'm looking forward to see what Chung can do this year.

 

[Underdog]

Re: OJ Atogwe won't sign his tender so he'll become an UFA

That's not right. The only way he can become unrestricted is if the Rams rescind the tender offer.

 

[R_T26]

Re: OJ Atogwe won't sign his tender so he'll become an UFA

That's not true, because that would Mean mankind would be a ufa too if he didn't sign the tender. And no one would sign their tender before June 1 and it would become a 2nd deeper FA period. He's only free if the rams say he's free. Plus saftey is not something I'm worried about.

 

[crowell33]

Re: OJ Atogwe won't sign his tender so he'll become an UFA

That's not true, because that would Mean mankind would be a ufa too if he didn't sign the tender. And no one would sign their tender before June 1 and it would become a 2nd deeper FA period. He's only free if the rams say he's free. Plus saftey is not something I'm worried about.

Not true. The Rams used the low tender on Atogwe. He will be unrestricted on 6/1/2010. Also, just read a nice Chicago Trib article claiming that since he has come into the league, Atogwe has had a hand in 41 turnovers ( FF, INT ), first in the NFL. Reed of Baltimore is second over that time frame with 39.

 

[Bring Back Antowain!]

Re: OJ Atogwe won't sign his tender so he'll become an UFA

I could be wrong, but I think Atogwe only becomes an unrestricted free agent if the Rams opt not to give him a second tender offer that will equal 110% of his 2009 base salary, which was the franchise tag.

And no need for Atogwe here, safety is our deepest position. And there would be zero chance Meriweather moved back to the bench. If the Pats signed Atogwe, he would start over Chung/Sanders.

 

[furley]

Re: OJ Atogwe won't sign his tender so he'll become an UFA

Well, I would've Chung at strong safety and Atogwe at free safety. But if Atogwe is damaged goods. Then I can see the little interest in him by some of you. And he'll turn twenty-nine next month.

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

Re: OJ Atogwe won't sign his tender so he'll become an UFA

If we needed a safety I think BB would have signed Darren Sharper months ago

 

[HEY BRO! WHAT UP?]

Re: OJ Atogwe won't sign his tender so he'll become an UFA

Even anaylists like Wyche get it wrong. Atogwe won't become a FA because the Rams tendered him. However, if a team doesn't tender a player by a certain date, you will become a FA. Also as another poster said, he can become a FA if the Rams rescind their offer.

With that said, I doubt he signs with New England not because they have Merriweather, but because he's coming off of injuries and will want a lot of money.

 

[Mogamedogz]

Re: OJ Atogwe won't sign his tender so he'll become an UFA

Atogwe >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Meriweather.

But considering Meriweather is "decent", the cost would outweigh the need to upgrade. Just wouldnt be worth it.

Injury or not OJ is a beast rolled in Demon batter. Id take him in a second over any DB currently on the roster.

 

[pats1]

Re: OJ Atogwe won't sign his tender so he'll become an UFA

I could be wrong, but I think Atogwe only becomes an unrestricted free agent if the Rams opt not to give him a second tender offer that will equal 110% of his 2009 base salary, which was the franchise tag.

And no need for Atogwe here, safety is our deepest position. And there would be zero chance Meriweather moved back to the bench. If the Pats signed Atogwe, he would start over Chung/Sanders.

Right, the deicison is the Rams, but it's either remove the tender and let him walk as a UFA or re-tender him at 110%, which is his franchise salary from last year + 10%. The reason why they were able to skirt that 110% in February is because they tendered him at the lowest level, no compensation, which doesn't require 110% unlike the other tender levels.

 

[furley]

Re: OJ Atogwe won't sign his tender so he'll become an UFA

Atogwe >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Meriweather.

But considering Meriweather is "decent", the cost would outweigh the need to upgrade. Just wouldnt be worth it.

Injury or not OJ is a beast rolled in Demon batter. Id take him in a second over any DB currently on the roster.

Hence, my logic in targeting Atogwe because I feel that Meriweather is just an average safety. Every time I think of Meriweather, I think that New England passed on Beason. Beason may or may not have been a good fit here, but Meriweather isn't a better player than him. And he [Meriweather] isn't a Pro Bowl player. Actually, he was merely a Pro Bowl replacement last season. Again, Meriweather is average, a decent player on New England but he isn't special like other former University of Miami players drafted in the past.

 

[Deus Irae]

Re: OJ Atogwe won't sign his tender so he'll become an UFA

Hence, my logic in targeting Atogwe because I feel that Meriweather is just an average safety. Every time I think of Meriweather, I think that New England passed on Beason. Beason may or may not have been a good fit here, but Meriweather isn't a better player than him. And he [Meriweather] isn't a Pro Bowl player. Actually, he was merely a Pro Bowl replacement last season. Again, Meriweather is average, a decent player on New England but he isn't special like other former University of Miami players drafted in the past.

When did "better than almost every other player at his position" become the definition of 'average'?

 

[crowell33]

Re: OJ Atogwe won't sign his tender so he'll become an UFA

Hence, my logic in targeting Atogwe because I feel that Meriweather is just an average safety. Every time I think of Meriweather, I think that New England passed on Beason. Beason may or may not have been a good fit here, but Meriweather isn't a better player than him. And he [Meriweather] isn't a Pro Bowl player. Actually, he was merely a Pro Bowl replacement last season. Again, Meriweather is average, a decent player on New England but he isn't special like other former University of Miami players drafted in the past.

Too harsh. Meriweather made the Pro Bowl. Average safeties, on average defenses, don't make the Pro Bowl.

 

[satz]

Every game i watched last year the great chicago DB were getting lit up.
i saw TE have a feild day against the safeties.

I am confused how is this guy so great when avg TE were running free.

 

[Underdog]

Every game i watched last year the great chicago DB were getting lit up.
i saw TE have a feild day against the safeties.

I am confused how is this guy so great when avg TE were running free.

Maybe if Atogwe had played for the Bears, that wouldn't have happened...

 

[Sicilian]

Re: OJ Atogwe won't sign his tender so he'll become an UFA

Every time I think of Meriweather, I think that New England passed on Beason.

Unfortunately, everything you say after this becomes irrelevant because of this line. You're no longer judging Meriweather on what kind of player HE is, but based on what you THINK another player at another position MIGHT have done here.

 

[satz]

Maybe if Atogwe had played for the Bears, that wouldn't have happened...

Oops rams lol

seriously the guy had 8 interceptions in 2008 and 2009 had a down year ending in december with shoulder surgery and sports hernia. i fail to see the better than merriweather comment .

So in that case we should up Moss right now considering what he did in 2007 season .

We have mcgown an injury prone safety with a few good months and we need another 1.