The Rams have finally gotten free safety Oshiomogho Atogwe signed to what's only described right now as a long-term contract. Update: contract length is five years. Dollar amounts still not public.2nd update: this is for all purposes a 1-year, $4.1 million contract. Atogwe becomes a UFA again in 2011 unless the Rams pay an $8 million roster bonus, which seems hardly likely.
After expressing my relief that the team has finally locked up arguably their best defensive player the last three years - certainly about the only Ram who can force a turnover, I'll just copy the rest of this post from the Rams' press release e-mailed out a minute ago...
"We are excited to have O.J. back in the fold,” said Rams Head Coach Steve Spagnuolo. “We were always hopeful for this result. We look forward to having his leadership, character and talent back on our defense."
Atogwe enters his sixth season with the Rams and has played in 72 career games, starting 60 consecutive contests since the start of the 2006 season. In 2009, he started 12 games before being placed on reserved/injured list with a shoulder injury (12/9). Despite missing four games, Atogwe finished second on the team with 82 tackles (38 solo), one sack, two interceptions, three passes defensed, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
Atogwe has notched 38 combined forced fumbles and interceptions (19 interceptions, 19 forced fumbles) since the start of 2006, the most in the NFL during that time period. In 2007, he recorded a career-high and NFC-leading eight interceptions, and since the start of 2006, his 19 interceptions rank fourth in the NFL.
Picture from, and more details at, stlouisrams.com
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