Rams tender S O.J. Atogwe at lowest level; Bears reportedly already interested
by David Fucillo on Mar 3, 2010 11:30 PM PST
in San Francisco 49ers News
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PrintFooch's Note: We've got an update on this. The Rams have officially tendered OJ Atogwe at the lowest level (right of first refusal, no draft pick compensation). Supposedly the Bears are already interested.
Earlier this evening I put up a post about free safety Antrel Rolle looking to get upwards of $8 million per year. Amazingly, the safety news got even bigger with this article in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Apparently the St. Louis Rams are considering placing the lowest possible tender on safety Oshiomogho (O.J.) Atogwe.
According to the paper, any other tender offer would cost the team a 110% of Atogwe's 2009 salary. Such a raise would mean Atogwe would be earning $6.976 million in 2010. With this potential lowest tender offer, Atogwe would "only" get $1.226 million. Obviously we can get into the semantics of "only" a million-plus dollars, but we won't deal with that debate right now.
By placing such a tender, the Rams would have the right of first refusal on any contract offered to Atogwe, but they would not get any kind of draft pick compensation. If this turns out to in fact be a legit report, and not just a BS rumor, it's safe to say Atogwe would receive a whole lot of offers. Rotoworld mentioned that this would create "bad blood" between Atogwe and the Rams. Initially I agreed with that statement, but upon further review, I wonder how true that is if we take the whole situation into consideration.
Now, if this tender was used and nobody made Atogwe an offer, certainly I'd be pissed if I were him. But in reality, doesn't this guarantee Atogwe will get some kind of solid multi-year offer? With no potential draft pick changing hands, is there any real draw-back to another team offering him a decent-sized multi-year contract? Oh, I don't know, say the San Francisco 49ers? I'm not sure if Atogwe would want to play for his girlfriend's father, but maybe he does.
So, in the end, does OJ end up somewhere else, or do the Rams match any offer? This is, of course, also assuming something like this actually goes down. We'll know more sometime during the coming 24 hours when tenders have to be made, if not already done so.
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I don't see how he can't end up somewhere else
He won’t be making $6 million a year in his new home but he should easily be able to swing a deal for $4 or $5 million. I really think the 49ers need to go for him. If we can get him that addresses one of our biggest needs without needing to use a draft pick.
Yes Drew K, Tim Tebow will probably get picked in the first round.
right of first refusal
Do you see the Rams refusing to match?
by David Fucillo on Mar 3, 2010 11:35 PM PST up reply actions
If they're lowballing..
How bad do they want him?
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by mountaindew77 on Mar 3, 2010 11:36 PM PST up reply actions
offer
I was just thinking that maybe they figure they can get a long term deal for less per year than if they offered the first round tender deal.
by David Fucillo on Mar 3, 2010 11:38 PM PST up reply actions
Could be
I really just hope we get him though.. It would put all the Earl Thomas, Taylor Mays talk to rest and they can focus on other positions in the draft
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by mountaindew77 on Mar 3, 2010 11:48 PM PST up reply actions
Depends on how rich it gets I suppose
he’s been very undervalued.
His initial rookie deal was 3 years $1.6 million. When that ended he signed a one year deal for just over $2 million, and then was franchised in 2009. Adrian wilson’s contract was 5 years $39 million with $18.5 guaranteed.
Yes Drew K, Tim Tebow will probably get picked in the first round.
2008 was his last year healthy
He was fifth among all safeties in INTs. Ahead of him were Ed Reed, Troy Polamalu, Nick Colins, and Michael Griffin. He was 15th among safeties in tackles and 13 among safeties in passes defended.
The 10th highest paid safety in 2009 made just over $5 million. I think a 4 or 5 year deal at $5 million per with $10-15 guaranteed would be good
Yes Drew K, Tim Tebow will probably get picked in the first round.
I say try to steal him
I’m still pissed about the Rams taking the only great kicker the 49ers ever had.
i didnt know Jose Cortez played for the Rams
"The Football The 49ers Team has The excitement of the bear, the velocity of the deer and strenght of the buffalo.
I’m not sure if Atogwe would want to play for his girlfriend’s father, but maybe he does.
If he plans on marrying the girl and getting her Dad’s blessing to do so, it may not be the worst idea to schmooz like that. So if you’re reading O.J., food for thought, eh?
A computer once beat me at chess, but it was no match for me at kick boxing.
hell yeah
give atogwe a nice big contract to lock down the FS position for 3-5 years and move dashon to SS. if dashon can’t handle the SS position, trade him!
of course thats only if we can get atogwe
DREAM DRAFT:
1a. Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers
1b. CJ Spiller, RB, Clemson
2. Best CB available
3. Freddie Barnes, WR, Bowling Green
by MichaelClutchtree on Mar 3, 2010 11:50 PM PST reply actions
Reality is...
Rams are trying to lowball and get him for under the ~$7M they woudl have to pay him with the bigger tender offer. In theory they could go all the way up to that and still make out ok. I think they are willing to let the market decide how much he is worth and match it unless it gets outlandishly high.
Position of need...
Pro bowl level performance, still young, good character, no draft pick needed, takes away one of the only few above average defenders the Rams have. What else is there to think about? Lets make a deal.
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