Oshiomogho Atogwe

[Jim Uran]

Quote:

Safety Oshiomogho Atogwe became an unrestricted free agent at midnight Tuesday night when the St. Louis Rams didn't offer him $6.976 million for the coming season, according to ESPN.

Now the site claims that he's got at least three other teams interested in signing him: the Dallas Cowboys, Miami Dolphins, and Minnesota Vikings.

The Rams are still negotiating with the 28-year-old Canadian who was the team's 2009 franchise player. Atogwe was involved in 74 tackles last year, had two interceptions and forced three fumbles.

The Philadelphia Eagles aren't interested in Atogwe, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer, even though Philly free safety Marlin Jackson(notes) went down with a season-ending injury on Tuesday.

[Scott K]

Quote:

League sources tell the Minneapolis Star-Tribune that the Vikings have no interest in free agent O.J. Atogwe.

This disputes at least hints at Minnesota's interest in the free safety from ESPN's Adam Schefter and former Vikings beat writer Sean Jensen, who now covers the division rival Bears. A poll in Chris Wesseling's Wednesday chat said fans think the Lions are Atogwe's most likely fit, with St. Louis second.

[pikestabber]

I don't think it is a question of interest, they have interest, they just don't have any more money!

[Scott K]

Quote:

Coach Brad Childress confirmed that the Vikings have no interest in free agent O.J. Atogwe.

"We've got the guys we need on this football team," Chidress explained, giving his own safeties a vote of confidence. For all of the hype surrounding Atogwe prior to June 2, he's drawn no immediate interest on the open market. It sure looks like he's going to have to adjust his salary expectations.

[Rick]

They do have money, even with the rules this year. Probably not interested in spending the kind of money he's looking for at the moment though.

I suspect Safety is not that high on their list of priorities. My bet is if their young corners pan out at some point they may move Winfield to Safety. Corners usually have a shorter shelf life than safeties if you know what I mean.

[CJH]

There's a lot of teams interested in him, but he wants big money, and everybody is hesitant with the lack of a CBA. I wouldn't be surprised if the Cowboys or somebody like that swoops in and grabs him. He's good at creating turnovers.

[CJH]

Here's a snipet from Peter King of SI:

"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."

Read More: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/peter_king/06/06/mmqb/2.html#ixzz0qBlZPhLJ

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[SkunkedAgain]

It might be interesting to see if the Packers take a run at him. They just drafted a safety but that's a tough position to fill with a rookie. If Atari Bigby continues to hold out from signing his restricted free agent tender, and the market for Atogwe looks soft, this may be a good 1-2 year tender from the Packers. They've certainly got the cap room to pay him, he'd get a spot to play for 1-2 seasons until the NFL and NFLPA figure out the collective bargaining agreement, and then Atogwe could still hit his payday.