Rams have big decision to make with Atogwe

by Ryan Van Bibber on Dec 8, 2009 11:56 AM CST

Don't overlook the impact of St. Louis Rams FS Oshiomogho Atogwe's shoulder injury might have on his future with the team. From ESPN's Mike Sando today:

The potentially season-ending shoulder injury Atogwe suffered against the Bears makes this a good time to revisit his long-term future with the team. The Rams will have paid more than $6 million to Atogwe this season after naming him their franchise player. As much as the Rams appreciate Atogwe's approach and production, it's tough to envision a team with limited resources investing top dollar in a long-term deal for a good-but-not-great safety. The shoulder injury could make it tougher for Atogwe to command what he's worth even if he hits the market during the offseason.

That's tough to hear, given that Atogwe has been one of the few bright spots for the Rams defense since 2006, but as soon as news spread yesterday about Atogwe potentially being done for the season you had to know that this could impact his contract situation and status with the team.

Barring some major accord being reached between the league and the players union, the 2010 season will be uncapped. That means players with less than six seasons of experience who would otherwise qualify as unrestricted free agents at the end of their contracts - the rule is four seasons with the cap in place - will be restricted free agents. Atogwe reached the end of his rookie deal with the Rams last year, and the team used the franchise tag to keep him for 2009. Normally, he'd be an unrestricted free agent, but this year he'll be restricted, meaning that the Rams can tender him an offer and other teams would have to dole out draft picks should they sign him as a RFA. Or, the team could not tender him (or any RFA) an offer, but that would be kind of foolish except for players teams do not want back next season. An RFA offer would pay Atogwe considerably less than what he could earn as a free agent, hence his desire to get a long term deal with the Rams.

Will the Rams bring him back? Who knows. If the Rams go the RFA route with Atogwe, they risk a very unhappy player who won't have any leverage to holdout in that situation as he plays one more year to re-establish himself in the wake of this injury before the opportunity for a big pay day in 2011, when the threat of a lockout looms. Texans TE Owen Daniels ended up in a very similar situation this year.

The Rams have the first right of refusal if another team does make a contract offer to Atogwe. The player can refuse the offer outright, but can't play that season. Holding out isn't an option if they do sign such an offer because they risk being sued. What they can do is trade that player, or that player can demand to be traded, and let the new team figure out his contract.

The uncapped year and the RFA rules mean that the free agent market will be virtually nonexistent next season. Certainly not the free for all it usually is. Add to that the other restrictions imposed upon teams because of the lapsed CBA (such as the final four playoff teams not being allowed to sign free agents) and I think it sets up a much more active trade market than the NFL is used to seeing. Something to remember as we consider what free agent moves the Rams could/should make to rebuild the team.

As for Atogwe, the Rams can keep him on the cheap via the RFA route and try to work out a new contract or they can trade him. A favorable position for the front office to be in with Atogwe, but one that might lead to some bad blood. His injury will likely figure into the equation for what course the Rams pursue with their ballhawking free safety as teams weigh that in any trade offers and the Rams consider that when deciding at what RFA level they'll tender him an offer. Remember though, even the highest RFA level last season paid a player just $2.35 million.

When you think about the very limited possibilities via free agency this season, it makes the draft even more important for teams, especially rebuilding teams like the Rams. And in this year when he who has the most draft picks wins, trades to secure even more draft picks must be considered.

Should be one hell of an offseason.

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Comments

Good but not great?

There are very few safeties who have the ball hawking ability of OJ, and I’d be willing to shell out to keep him in town.

by njd.aitken on Dec 8, 2009 1:22 PM CST reply actions

Exactly what I was thinking...

…I disagree with Sando. I think he’s great. I think that game changing ability would be even more noticeable if the Rams’ offense were to create points. The only reason his interception numbers are down is because teams take less shots at him since they’ve taken notice. He still has forced more turnovers than Polamalu since 2007. I’m not sure about Reed but it’s close.

"I was just letting the shots fly. You know, I don't leave any bullets in the chamber."

"Everything negative- pressure, challenges- is all an opportunity for me to rise."

-Kobe Bryant

A mantra for all athletes.

by TrojanRam on Dec 8, 2009 1:42 PM CST up reply actions

He's a very good player who hasn't had a very good year

We missed a lot of that big play ability for most of the season. He’s been solid but mostly unspectacular this year. I still think he’s worth a long-term deal at 6 or 7 million per, and the Rams stop being “cash-strapped” once we let go of Bulger’s contract. There’s a lot of money coming off the books this offseason, having already taken the hits on Holt’s and Pace’s money.

RamsHerd.com - Graphic Rams Discussion

by taiko on Dec 8, 2009 2:25 PM CST up reply actions

i don't see the cash strapped argument so much in 2010

Turf Show Times

by Ryan Van Bibber on Dec 8, 2009 2:38 PM CST up reply actions

The only reason his interception numbers are down ...

You can add this reason: teams are not playing from behind against the Rams, not needing to throw as much, not needing to go deep as much, and finding success by running.

You can’t avoid targeting a Free Safety like you can a Corner, because the Safety usually plays over the top where he can slide to either side. (That’s the Free in Free Safety, of course).

But if by teams not targeting him you mean simply not throwing down there, for whatever reason, then yeah. They’re not.

by CoachConnors on Dec 8, 2009 4:17 PM CST up reply actions

Have to keep him

We gotta invest in some of our players. If we keep getting rid of expensive veterans, then we’ll just keep going in circles. Atogwe is one we need to help build on our improving defense. Releasing him will only open more holes, which is the last thing we need.

by Oski Bear on Dec 8, 2009 3:17 PM CST reply actions

I don't think he's that great, but he's needed badly in St Lou

I think Togs is very good, and I’m gald he was with the Rams this year, but I also think he has had some better numbers for the Rams due to the weakness of the guys around him. Way too many runners get to the secondary where he lives. His INT’s are nice but they are limited and situational. Mostly within the LB’s level than deep safety sky balls. To me, that’s not as “Wow”.

Coach’s crystal ball says:
1. there will be no labor agreement
2. there will therefore be no salary cap
3. Togs will be retained on the cheap (relatively speaking)
4. 2010 sees a dip in his stats when the DL’s and LB’s spend another year in the system and especially if fresh talent is added on the line.

No way they let him walk. He might hold out if they low ball him, but he’ll wear the blue and gold next year because he’s more valuable to the Rams than to anyone else.

I’d love an Eric Berry, he’s everything that the Rams want, but right now they probably need to focus on areas of greater need.

by CoachConnors on Dec 8, 2009 4:09 PM CST reply actions

and by let him walk I mean let another team sign him away

They’ll match whatever is offered for him, because it’s a good value for his skill set on this team.

by CoachConnors on Dec 8, 2009 4:13 PM CST up reply actions

I agree he is a very good free safety

but not a great one. I’m hoping the Rams will work something out to keep him and help him be at least somewhat happy with the deal. I don’t think $6-7 million is needed. He, Butler and Dahl give us a very nice set of safeties. The only way I’d let him go is if someone was willing to give us some (more than one) very high draft picks in exchange.

by andyrose on Dec 8, 2009 9:58 PM CST reply actions