OJ?

by montasmob69 on Jan 22, 2009 4:20 AM PST

As the talks of free agents begin, a name nobody has really mentioned has been oshiomogho atogwe or "oj" for short. A stanford alumni, I seriously doubt the Rams would place a franchise tag on OJ, with that costing over 8 million, a thin rams cap space after that massive Steven Jackson contract, and a number two pick who will expect number two pick money, I don't see how the rams ca financially bring this guy back.

The niners on the other hand, have few free agents to bring back and almost 30 million dollars to send this off season. FS is as pressing of a need as a RT, NT, and OLB, and this would save us a second round pick essentially. At 27, Oj played around here, as previously mentioned, and would be more productive then just about any saftey in the draft, now and in the long term.

In terms of on field success, he was impressive. In 2008, he racked up 6 FF, 5 picks, and 85 tackles. In his 4 year career, he only missed 4 games, all during his rookie campaign. He has recorded 17 ints, and 11 ff in his career, and has punished the niners in recent history. He's 5'11" 210 frame serves quite well for a FS and he is known as one of the fastest players in the league, and was voted team MVP by his fellow rams. Thought?

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Niners Nation's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Niners Nation's writers or editors.

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I'm for this

Unless we can trade down and take moore….

The only thing i dont like is the rams might know his weaknesses and pray on them… maybe he’s a sucker for a particular move.

This would take us into the draft with one less high priority which would be great.

by Qbgetter13 on Jan 22, 2009 8:45 AM PST reply actions

I like this guy

and we actually talked about this in the Rams Q&A before the last game against them. The Rams guys seemed to think he was likely to get franchised so I just dropped the idea. But if it is as you say, and tagging him will be too expensive for them, then I would love for the Niners to try and get him. That would allow the team to focus on NT and OT with the first two picks, since if we don’t have an upgrade at FS in FA, I would expect the team to grab one of the top FS’s in the draft, all of whom seem to be projected to go by the end of the 2nd round.

by Sebaz49 on Jan 22, 2009 9:25 AM PST reply actions

I mentioned him a while ago =(

He’s the best fit at FS on the free agent market – good but not so good that it’d cost us an arm and a leg.

And at this point, I’d much rather sign a sure starter than take a chance on someone in the draft and end up with Roman starting another 16 games simply by sucking slightly less than the other guy.

by shlecko on Jan 22, 2009 11:57 AM PST reply actions

sounds like a good idea

he’s good. nothing else to say. great idea.

Still defending Rich Aurilia, and the Niners' classic unis

by wjackalope on Jan 22, 2009 11:59 AM PST reply actions

Agreed

We sign him and it would still leave us with enough spare dosh to sign a Suggs for example, thus potentially filling 2areas of need and enabling us to fill other areas through the draft, ie OT,QB,RB etc

by Ninerfromacrossthepond on Jan 22, 2009 12:20 PM PST up reply actions

You said it best..

by JerseyNinerFan on Jan 22, 2009 9:35 PM PST up reply actions

i like it

i recall hearing his name quite a bit when we played STL this season. sounds like a good idea to me.

Simply by pulling on both ends, Patrick Willis can stretch diamonds back into coal

by 49erLou on Jan 22, 2009 2:07 PM PST reply actions

i'm all for it

this guy does have lots of tools, and i really dont think that it would put a big dent in the cap. Signing him would open up lots more options in the draft.

by sundaysfinest on Jan 22, 2009 2:11 PM PST reply actions

How does the Williams signing impact this?

I kinda assume the niners see Jimmy Williams more as a FS than a CB, but maybe I’m wrong there. I like the guy, but I’d rather see the offseason money go towards Haynesworth. I feel like NT is the biggest need for the D, and probably for the team. If we cant land Haynesworth I’m all for drafting Raji in the first round, signing OJ, and addressing the RT or OLB spot in the 2nd round.

"It’s a hobby of mine. Kind of like collecting your fingernail clippings or pooping in jars." -olympic mike

by sam23 on Jan 23, 2009 2:08 AM PST reply actions

Doesn't really...

… affect this at all, does it? Like Mike Nolan, Singletary seems to be a man who loves competition. If the team is able to sign Atogwe in addition to Williams and both shine during camp and the preseason, then the situation is all the better for the team. Williams can move in as a permanent nickelback (which Spencer has failed to hold for various reasons) and Atogwe gets to start at FS. If one of them should not pan out during camp/preseason, then hopefully the other one does.

I highly doubt signing Atogwe will prevent the 49ers from signing Haynesworth. They have about as much cap space this year as they did the year they signed Michael Lewis, Tully Banta-Cain, AND Nate Clements. They should be able to land those two (Atogwe and Haynesworth) if that is their prerogative.

by sfgfan on Jan 23, 2009 9:03 AM PST up reply actions

Atogwe and Haynesworth would be awesome. Draft a pass rushing OLB in the first 3 rounds and you got yourself a legit D.

"It’s a hobby of mine. Kind of like collecting your fingernail clippings or pooping in jars." -olympic mike

by sam23 on Jan 24, 2009 12:10 AM PST up reply actions

That...

… would be the way I’d go. If I were sticking to a 3-4 (as the 49ers seem to be doing) I would do all I can to land Haynesworth. I don’t think taking the chance that some kid taken in the first round will blossom into an excellent NT is worth taking.

by sfgfan on Jan 26, 2009 9:18 AM PST up reply actions