NFC West
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Thursday, 11 March 2010 17:28 |
 Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says Rams safety Oshiomogho Atogwe will stay away from the team's offseason program after receiving the lowest tender for restricted free agents, a departure from last offseason.
This is the right decision by Atogwe. He earned praise last offseason for participating in the offseason program and minicamp practices even though he didn't immediately sign his $6.3 million offer as a franchise player.
"It's a blessing to come out here and play," Atogwe told reporters during minicamps last offseason. "And to be thought of as one of the top five at my position is an honor. I relish this."
There was a lot less for Atogwe to relish this offseason when the Rams made him a one-year offer for $1.226 million. The alternative was a one-year offer for nearly $7 million. With Atogwe coming off injury and an ownership change pending, the Rams hedged their bets on him.
The contrast from last offseason is striking from all angles.
"I don't have to be [here] contractually," Atogwe said a year ago, "but I feel like I'm obligated to be here for my teammates and for my coaches. Going forward in this year, if I want to be a part of this team, I want to be a part of this team from the beginning to the end and I think it's important that we all put aside our own personal stuff and just really sacrifice for the team. Put the team first and allow us to come together as one unit so we can get a lot done this year."
That was then. Circumstances have changed. Atogwe has nothing to gain from showing up and risking potential injury after the team has dramatically downgraded its commitment to him. He'll now wait until June, when rules require the Rams to increase their offer into the $7 million range or let him become a free agent. |
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Thursday, 11 March 2010 17:28 |
Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says Rams safety Oshiomogho Atogwe will stay away from the team's offseason program after receiving the lowest tender for restricted free agents, a departure from last offseason.
This is the right decision by Atogwe. He earned praise last offseason for participating in the offseason program and minicamp practices even though he didn't immediately sign his $6.3 million offer as a franchise player.
"It's a blessing to come out here and play," Atogwe told reporters during minicamps last offseason. "And to be thought of as one of the top five at my position is an honor. I relish this."
There was a lot less for Atogwe to relish this offseason when the Rams made him a one-year offer for $1.226 million. The alternative was a one-year offer for nearly $7 million. With Atogwe coming off injury and an ownership change pending, the Rams hedged their bets on him.
The contrast from last offseason is striking from all angles.
"I don't have to be [here] contractually," Atogwe said a year ago, "but I feel like I'm obligated to be here for my teammates and for my coaches. Going forward in this year, if I want to be a part of this team, I want to be a part of this team from the beginning to the end and I think it's important that we all put aside our own personal stuff and just really sacrifice for the team. Put the team first and allow us to come together as one unit so we can get a lot done this year."
That was then. Circumstances have changed. Atogwe has nothing to gain from showing up and risking potential injury after the team has dramatically downgraded its commitment to him. He'll now wait until June, when rules require the Rams to increase their offer into the $7 million range or let him become a free agent. |
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Thursday, 11 March 2010 17:28 |
Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says Rams safety Oshiomogho Atogwe will stay away from the team's offseason program after receiving the lowest tender for restricted free agents, a departure from last offseason.
This is the right decision by Atogwe. He earned praise last offseason for participating in the offseason program and minicamp practices even though he didn't immediately sign his $6.3 million offer as a franchise player.
"It's a blessing to come out here and play," Atogwe told reporters during minicamps last offseason. "And to be thought of as one of the top five at my position is an honor. I relish this."
There was a lot less for Atogwe to relish this offseason when the Rams made him a one-year offer for $1.226 million. The alternative was a one-year offer for nearly $7 million. With Atogwe coming off injury and an ownership change pending, the Rams hedged their bets on him.
The contrast from last offseason is striking from all angles.
"I don't have to be [here] contractually," Atogwe said a year ago, "but I feel like I'm obligated to be here for my teammates and for my coaches. Going forward in this year, if I want to be a part of this team, I want to be a part of this team from the beginning to the end and I think it's important that we all put aside our own personal stuff and just really sacrifice for the team. Put the team first and allow us to come together as one unit so we can get a lot done this year."
That was then. Circumstances have changed. Atogwe has nothing to gain from showing up and risking potential injury after the team has dramatically downgraded its commitment to him. He'll now wait until June, when rules require the Rams to increase their offer into the $7 million range or let him become a free agent. |
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Thursday, 11 March 2010 13:23 |
 The Cardinals beefed up their depth on the offensive line with two moves Thursday.
They re-signed Jeremy Bridges, who played well when needed at left tackle last season, before adding veteran guard Rex Hadnot, an unrestricted free agent from the Browns. ESPN's John Clayton is reporting Hadnot's agreement.
These look like smart moves for Arizona. Hadnot weighs 320 pounds and has started every year since entering the NFL in 2004. A knee injury sidelined him for part of last season.
The Cardinals tendered right guard Deuce Lutui to a second-round choice. Lutui remains unsigned, but he played well last season and projects as a likely starter in 2010. Hadnot could provide valuable depth for all three interior positions, giving the Cardinals additional flexibility as they consider options in the draft. Left guard Reggie Wells is scheduled to earn $2.4 million in 2010, the final year of his deal. Wells has been a good player for Arizona, but 2009 was not his best season.
Re-signing Bridges, who can play guard or tackle, and adding Hadnot, strictly an interior lineman, improves the Cardinals' depth. The team arguably could use another tackle and preferably one skilled in pass protection.
The Scouts Inc. report on Hadnot heading into last season reads:
Hadnot was the Browns' starting right guard in 2008 and has demonstrated the ability to play any of the three interior offensive line positions. He is a powerful, wide-bodied blocker, but isn't particularly quick or agile. Once beaten, he is slow to recover and his overall agility is just average, but he does show the ability to engulf his opponent at times. Ideally, he is a swing interior backup. |
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Thursday, 11 March 2010 13:23 |
The Cardinals beefed up their depth on the offensive line with two moves Thursday.
They re-signed Jeremy Bridges, who played well when needed at left tackle last season, before adding veteran guard Rex Hadnot, an unrestricted free agent from the Browns. ESPN's John Clayton is reporting Hadnot's agreement.
These look like smart moves for Arizona. Hadnot weighs 320 pounds and has started every year since entering the NFL in 2004. A knee injury sidelined him for part of last season.
The Cardinals tendered right guard Deuce Lutui to a second-round choice. Lutui remains unsigned, but he played well last season and projects as a likely starter in 2010. Hadnot could provide valuable depth for all three interior positions, giving the Cardinals additional flexibility as they consider options in the draft. Left guard Reggie Wells is scheduled to earn $2.4 million in 2010, the final year of his deal. Wells has been a good player for Arizona, but 2009 was not his best season.
Re-signing Bridges, who can play guard or tackle, and adding Hadnot, strictly an interior lineman, improves the Cardinals' depth. The team arguably could use another tackle and preferably one skilled in pass protection.
The Scouts Inc. report on Hadnot heading into last season reads:
Hadnot was the Browns' starting right guard in 2008 and has demonstrated the ability to play any of the three interior offensive line positions. He is a powerful, wide-bodied blocker, but isn't particularly quick or agile. Once beaten, he is slow to recover and his overall agility is just average, but he does show the ability to engulf his opponent at times. Ideally, he is a swing interior backup. |
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Vikings Trivia
What Vikings' signal caller topped the NFL with a passer rating of 92.6 in 1986?
[ Answer? ]
Tommy Kramer.
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