No kidding. Do we really have to hear it for the next 58 days 15 hours & 55 minutes until training camp starts?
Rams safety Atogwe now a free agent The St. Louis Rams did not re-tender safety O.J. Atogwe at $6.976 million as they needed to do to assure them of his services this season. As a result, Atogwe is now an unrestricted free agent. Sando: Risky Business O.J. Atogwe and the St. Louis Rams are both taking calculated gambles as the safety hits the free-agent market, Mike Sando writes. Blog Atogwe, the Rams' franchise player last offseason, is now one of the top free agents, if not the top free agent available. The Rams still would like to re-sign him, just at a lower salary than the nearly $7 million they would have been obliged to pay this season. Atogwe is coming off an injury-shortened 2009 season. A shoulder injury landed him on injured reserve. He also underwent hernia surgery. Despite playing a shortened season, Atogwe still recorded 74 tackles, three forced fumbles, two interceptions and a sack in 12 games. Atogwe, who will turn 29 this month, has 19 interceptions in his five-year NFL career. The two sides are expected to continue talking. But the Miami Dolphins, Dallas Cowboys and Minnesota Vikings all might have some level of interest in Atogwe as well. http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=5241584
I cant understand why they wouldnt be interested...we dont have anyone nearly on the same talent level as Atogwe. I'd understand not wanting to trade for him...but the only thing we would be giving up is money (in an uncapped year). The secondary is still our weakest link and doing anything to improve upon that would be highly recommended, imo.
Reeko sorta hit on it(please, dont rep me correcting my grammar/spelling mistakes). They didnt take a single safety in the draft. If they felt they needed to upgrade or wanted a S that they would've taken one? I think so, but that's just me. Maybe they will pursue him but I dont think that will go very far(ala I dont see them getting into a bidding war)
I don't want to sound like captain obvious, but this signing has to be made. Acquiring that kind of talent would allow so much flexibility for the defense when playing those pesky TEs, clark, witten, heap and Gates. Wilson is good to have around as depth but nothing more.
this seems so right. Sign a really good player at a position of need (and has been needed for years, whatuppp matt stevens) But at the same time, it's not a $100 million man or anything...not a CRAZY FA signing that the Texans seem to avoid. I don't know what he's looking for, but someone give the guy $8 mil per and $20 mil up front and make it happen?
Such a mistake not resigning Atogwe, they have a promising core that I thought he was a part of. Maybe this hernia/shoulder thing has left lingering effects? 7M is really high within the position. http://content.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/salaries/playersbyposition.aspx?pos=152 If someone could explain to me the difference between total salary and cap value (something about pro-rated signing bonuses+perks), I'd be much obliged.
I really wanted to address the FS position in the draft but I guess the Texans are pretty high on Troy Nolan. Here's an article they put up on him yesterday... http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/fb/texansfront/7032104.html
After the draft I remember people in the press asking both Rick Smith and Kubiak about why they didn't draft a safety and both of them seemed almost shocked that everybody was so concerned about the position.
I am a big fan of OJ Atogwe and he would be a great addition to the secondary. I also think the Texans are happy with the safety position as it is right now. Eugene Wilson has been part of Super Bowl teams and his time here in Houston has been solid when healthy. Pollard was a difference maker last year and with a year under his belt in this system, he could be better. As for the backups, Dominique Barber is a good special teams player and made some strides last year. I am excited to see what Troy Nolan brings to the table. He was a ball hawk in college. I am also intrigued by the three undrafted safeties they signed. I think they will be fine at the safety position even if they don’t sign OJ. I would no doubt try to sign Atogwe if the price is right though.
NFL Total Access has been airing a Coaching Spotlight segment on each show interviewing all the head coaches. Anyway, it was Gary Kubiak's turn tonight. He said that he was happy he got a contract extension. It means that Bob McNair thinks the team is headed in the right direction under Kubiak's leadership. Kubiak also said the reason Schaub was good last year was because he played in all 16 games. The key for Schaub to play well is to not get hurt. You can see the interview by clicking on the link. http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-player-interviews/09000d5d81875a1f/Coaching-Spotlight-Gary-Kubiak I believe this interview took place a couple of months ago during the owner's meeting. It is only airing now. There were no Brian Cushing questions, however, the interviewer had a piece on Cushing in the middle of the segment. It's a rather uninspiring interview and you should watch it only if you want to kill four minutes in your life. During the four downs segment at the end of Total Access, one of the questions was will the Texans make the playoffs in 2010. Rod Woodson and Warren Sapp both said no, the Texans will not make the playoffs in 2010.
