SB Nation - Oshiomogho Atogwe

Rams 13, Texans 16: Rams lose a close one

VanRam — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 23:10:04 -0000

The little things dragged the Rams down today.

Credit the St. Louis Rams for playing a good game, despite losing their 13th contest of the season. The results were especially encouraging given the team's extensive list of players on injured reserve or the sidelines.

The offense did a much better job moving the ball than they did against the Titans last week. Nevertheless, they just don't have the talent to overcome the slightest mistake, say a rookie QB under pressure and throwing the ball blindly down the field for an easy INT. The worst part of it was that the Texans scored on the ensuing drive, giving them a lead the Rams could not overcome. You can go line by line through the play-by-play and find those difference makers that better teams can play through and keep driving the ball for results.

On the other side of the ball, the Rams defense had a good day, except for getting burned again and again by the deep ball. Oshiomogho Atogwe and Bradley Fletcher are greatly missed by this Rams secondary, which is not to say that Craig Dahl, filling in for Atogwe, didn't play well; I just the chances for the Rams to play the ball more with Togs in the lineup. Still, despite Andre Johnson's 200-yard day (196 actually) the Rams kept him out of the end zone and limited Houston to just one touchdown. They really did a good a job as a unit missing so many starters.

I know we have the "Draft Suh" contingent here, but I would still have liked to see the Rams get the win. The close ones are the toughest to take, no matter how much you expect it. It would have been a huge stride forward for the organization. Nevertheless, Spagnuolo's group showed lots of promise and made it easier to see what GM Billy Devaney was talking about in his Friday chat with fans when he said the team has fewer holes to fill.

Keith Null

Once again the rookie from West Texas A&M showed real moxie. He was poised and bounced back from mistakes. Null even showed showed some emotion, something fans were pleasantly surprised to see from their QBs. Two fumbles resulting from bad snaps reminded us that the spread offense and DII football remained a part of Null, and the INT was the definition of a rookie move. Experience should cure that. Maybe I was a bit premature in dubbing it the best performance from a Rams QB this season, very premature, but it is clear who should start the next two games, the last two games of the season.

The Offensive Line

This group had become such a team strength until injuries started to take their toll. Jacob Bell went to IR and Richie Incognito got himself released, leaving the Rams without both starting guards this week. Mark Setterstrom, on the left, and John Greco, on the right, did well for themselves today. It was a little rough in the running game in the early going and at times throughout the game. It's important to remember, however, that the Texans have a strong front seven on defense. It's clear this unit is better with Jason Smith, but this group had a decent outing today, certainly better than they did last week. I still like out depth at guard.

Once again Alex Barron weakened the unit as a whole. He let Mario Williams get around him to recover a fumble. The troubled tackle's most egregious offense came on the last drive of the fourth quarter when he got beat and Null got sacked for a loss of 8 yards. That made it 3rd-and-19. Game over. I don't see how the Rams can bring back Barron in 2010.

Special Teams

Hats off the special teams once again. Not only have the Rams found a solid return man with good vision to match his speed in Danny Amendola, who averaged 31 yards on kickoff returns, they've got a good group of blockers and coverage guys assembled. Josh Brown was nails on the distance shots today, hitting a 52-yarder to make him 5 for 6 on FG attempts of 50 or more yards. Donnie Jones is really getting jobbed by the fact that he's not even in contention for a Pro Bowl nod.

Highlights from Billy Devaney's chat

VanRam — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 20:48:11 -0000

St. Louis Rams GM Billy Devaney sat down at keyboard somewhere inside Rams Park - hopefully he wiped it down with disinfectant first - to chat with fans via the interwebs today. What insights did the GM have to offer?

There's not a lot to say. Draftniks will be disappointed because he was unable to get into any detail on the team's draft plans. Free agent talk is verboten this time of year too, but he did remind us that there are two very different free agent markets shaping up right now, a bountiful one with a cap and a handful of old guys without a cap. Let's start with players already on the roster.

On Carriker:

Adam is currently in intense rehab. A healthy Adam Carriker would play a big part in our plans next season (we sure could use him now).

It's all about staying healthy for Carriker. Spagnuolo was expected to mold the Rams first round pick from 2007, but never got that chance since the DT went to IR so early. Of course, Carriker started out training camp in the doghouse, forced to compete for his starting spot in the early weeks.

Will they resign Oshiomogho Atogwe?

He is a hell of a person and football player that means a lot to this organization. We certainly hope OJ is here for a long time.

This is going to be an interesting situation to watch, and we might have an answer of what direction the team will go early on since they'll immediately start evaluating the roster after the season. To wit:

We need to identify our needs. We'll do this right after the season with the coaches and scouts. I can tell you now while we have obcvious needs, the list is not nearly as long as this time last year. We need to do a good job adressing these needs in the offseason.

He couldn't say much about the draft or the team's draft board, for obvious reasons, but Devaney did offer up one little tidbit that I found interesting...

I will say this: I feel much more comfortable about the environment we have in this building now than I did two years ago. There will be people we keep on the draft board this year that we would have had off of it two years ago. That's all I can say.

The question was about passing up on players with off-field issues. And while I doubt the "four pillars" are being retired, I suspect that since they've turned over so much of the roster and will continue to whittle it down to players buying into the system, there's an assumption that they can do a better job of bringing players along who might not have made the cut last season because of those off-field issues.

Those are the highlights. Go read the rest of what Devaney had to say.

Tennessee Titans Morning Links: We All Knew It Should Have Been Ganther > Henry Edition

August West — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 15:00:12 -0000

More photos » by Mark Humphrey - AP

How has Kevin Mawae's career lasted so long? He trains with CJ's dreads!

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Justin Gage is expected to play Sunday, though I seriously doubt you'll see him getting his normal amount of reps. He should begin to ease himself back in the line-up though, forcing the staff to make a decision soon on who will be starting opposite Kenny Britt.

The game against the Rams will pit two of the best running backs in the NFL against each other, with neither looking likely to make it to the post season by most accounts.

Kevin Mawae says he is dead-set on playing next year, even if it's not with the Titans (Mawae's contract expires at the end of the season). He says he'd love to stay, but it'll be interesting to see which way the front office goes since Leroy Harris has been the replacement in waiting for two years now.

Follow us through the jump for updates on free agency and what a former Titan is up to...

Beyond Mawae, there are several key veterans who have contracts coming up this off-season. It's impossible to predict what's going to happen since the salary cap and CBA are up in the air, but many of them are almost certainly playing their last few games in the two-toned blue.

If Chris Johnson is going to chase greatness this year, he really needs to feast on the Rams' defense this week, and as likely as that looks to happen, CJ's still not taking anything with this squad for granted.

H/T to T Coleman who made a fan shot of this link to a Sports Illustrated article on CJ, and how he defies the stereotypes surrounding small, speedy running backs.

As the Rams take the field Sunday, they'll do so without their second leading tackler, safety Oshiomogho Atogwe, who will miss the rest of the season with a shoulder injury. Also in doubt is first round tackle Jason Smith, who has been struggling with the lingering effects of a concussion for three weeks.

Congratulations to former Titan and current Redskin's RB Quinton Ganther for taking over the starting position in Washington. The RB position has been in flux there since Portis and Betts went on IR, and Ganther's good play has unseated Rock Cartwright.

Have love, need links: mcmaugustwest@gmail.com!

Rams have big decision to make with Atogwe

VanRam — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 17:56:26 -0000

More photos » by Nick Wass - AP

Will Atogwe be a Ram in 2010?

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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.

Atogwe done for the season?

VanRam — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 21:12:13 -0000

More photos » by Jeff Roberson - AP

FILE - In this Oct. 19, 2008, file photo, St. Louis Rams' Oshiomogho Atogwe celebrates after intercepting a pass intended for Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Terrell Owens during an NFL football game in St. Louis. The and safety Atogwe have agreed to a one-year contract. Terms were not disclosed Wednesday, July 15, 2009. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, File)

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Bad news for the St. Louis Rams. The team lost FS Oshiomogho Atogwe to a shoulder injury late in the first half of Sunday's loss to the Bears. Reports out of Rams Parks today look bleak for the team and the playmaking defensive back who has been one of the few highlights on that side of the ball for the Rams in recent seasons. Atogwe has what is being described as a serious shoulder injury, and may be done for the season.

According to the Rams official Twitter account, Atogwe and the Rams will get further medial opinions before reaching a decision on whether or not to shut him down for the season.

Ouch. Atogwe is playing under a franchise tag this season, and threatened to hold out last year to underscore his desire for a long term deal. If the league and the players don't reach a new labor agreement before the offseason (unlikely) he'll be a restricted free agent, meaning the Rams can hang onto him for a much smaller one year deal. Of course, going that route would more than likely produce some bad blood between the team and its star defensive back. Now, we'll wait and see how his injury affects that situation.

This season keeps getting worse.

Revenue sharing decision carries implications for the Rams

VanRam — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 21:02:22 -0000

More photos » by Jeff Roberson - AP

Rams owners Chip Rosenbloom, left, and his sister Lucia Rodriguez are in trying to sell the franchise.

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If you thought Pat Shurmur's offense was exciting to talk about, then you're gonna love salary cap and collective bargaining talk. Nevertheless, it's a really important subject, probably the most important subject given how much it will impact the league's future. The big news today is that the NFL (i.e. the owners) will be ending the annual $100 million supplemental revenue sharing which benefits small market, low earning teams...like the St. Louis Rams.

This $100 million pool is a fraction of the $6.5 billion in total revenues shared by the league. Small market teams receive this money to help field a competitive team and meet the league's minimum spending rules. The NFLPA will fight the decision on the basis that this money helps teams stay competitive.

How does this impact the Rams? The most obvious is taking money out of the team's available revenue, which could - emphasis on could - deal a blow to our ability to sign free agents or retain key players like FS Oshiomogho Atogwe. Makes the salary purges look positively prescient, no? Whether or not this move gets made permanent (or even takes effect if the NFLPA wins their arbitration case against it) will also impact the value of those smaller market teams and make bigger markets more attractive.

Kurt Warner Optimistic Depsite Blow to the Head in Cardinals Win on Sunday

Andrew602 — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 18:15:41 -0000

More photos » by Jeff Roberson - AP

Kurt Warner hopes to be ready by next week when the Arizona Cardinals travel to Tennessee to face the Titans.

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The biggest news from Sunday's game between the Arizona Cardinals and St. Louis Rams is the blow to the head that quarterback Kurt Warner suffered in the second quarter. After completing a pass to Larry Fitzgerald, Warner was dragged to the ground by safety Oshiomogho Atogwe, where Warner's head was slammed to the turf. He finished the drive but later was seen walking to the locker room. Warner didn't finish the game, and his status for next week remains uncertain.

"It was one of those situations where I didn't feel perfect, so I just wanted to be cautious with it," Warner said. "I actually feel pretty good right now. Just a very, very slight headache. I remember everything that happened. I didn't get knocked out. I think you get farther in your career and you see life beyond football and you realize that this game is just a game," Warner said. "There are other things that you want to do and you want to be smart, especially when it comes to your health. I think that is what I have learned."
"You want to help your team win, but you also don’t want to do anything dumb that could jeopardize you for the rest of the season... We’ll do the baseline tests as they do with anyone," Warner said. "But I’m thinking I’ll be good to go next week."
via ESPN(Sando) and azcardinals.com(Urban)

After the performance by Matt Leinart in Warner's place, one would have to wonder how successful he would be on the road against a re-surging Tennessee Titans team. If taking Warner out of the game early was merely precautionary on Sunday, should he suit up and play next week?

Rams 23, Saints 28: The Spagnuolo era begins as Rams nearly topple a giant

VanRam — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 21:57:46 -0000

More photos » by Jeff Roberson - AP

about 1 month ago: St. Louis Rams safety Oshiomogho Atogwe (21) recovers a fumble by New Orleans Saints tight end Jeremy Shockey (88) after Shockey was hit by Rams linebacker David Vobora (58) during the first quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 15, 2009, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

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It's their eighth loss in nine games, but the St. Louis Rams played their best game of the year against the undefeated, heavily favored Saints today. And, no, there's not a bit of sarcasm dripping from that statement. The Rams played hard to a man and took it right down to the wire. That was truly a moral victory. If the Rams can play like that down the stretch, they'll win more games. Guaranteed.

It's an unusual Sunday afternoon when you don't feel like pointing fingers. At various times late in the game, the Rams overcame plays that would have surely marked the end of the game any other week. Not this time. An 11-point lead suddenly seemed like it might not be enough.

Ok. I'm giddy with delight. Let's nab a bit of rationality before we celebrate. Why? Because the Rams could have won this game. Should have won this game. A mistake free outing is rare even for the best teams - case in point, New Orleans - but the Rams had a couple of moments where they could have sealed the deal.

Special teams should have had the kick return that broke the tie to open the second half. It looked to me like they all overran the returner, leaving Josh Brown as the only guy who even got a hand on him.
They had a tough time getting holes for Steven Jackson after the half, when the Saints made adjustments. Credit the Saints some for that, but a misdirection play could have helped a little.
I'm not bashing Bulger. He played with heart. However, he seems to have lost his ability to adjust and find open receivers. He also made a few throws that would have been INTs had Sharper been playing.
Randy McMichael, have your hands turned to stone?
I realize that Pat Shurmur doesn't have much to work with, but some of the playcalling still befuddles me. Why the predictable call on 4th down? Why not open it up a little more with Avery and Gibson or Fells when the Saints were keeping SJ39 in check?

Enough. Tomorrow we can Monday morning QB this. All of those things feel kind of knitpicky. These guys played their asses off and deserve credit. Some standouts:

Steven Jackson - He made things happen. Though, unlike last week, he had plenty of help, help from...

The Offensive Line, Mike Karney and the TEs - This unit is really starting to come together. The right side was particularly fearsome. When Jason Smith, who has made the Rams first two round picks in this draft look absolutely brilliant, moves to the left side, Adam Goldberg deserves the first shot at RT. I think he'll earn it too.

Donnie Avery - This is the Donnie Avery we need to see on a weekly basis. Clearly the bye week helped, but credit the play calling for getting him down the field. Slightly better passing might have given Avery a 3 TD day.

Brandon Gibson - Hello, new guy. 7 catches, 93 yards, good God. He studied the routes and showed some nice hands this week, i.e. the grab on the ground that let the Rams take it to the very last play of the game. Too bad we only have three WRs now.

Marc Bulger - Not the Marc Bulger we used to know, but you can't question his efforts this week...notice the nice scramble for the first down at the end of the game?

Oshiomogho Atogwe - He's baaaaaack. Togs got his turnover mojo back today, getting a key INT, forcing a fumble and breaking up a 4th quarter TD pass to give the Rams new life with a touchback.

Jame Butler - Made up for an INT that turned into a safety by just getting an INT, no safety today. This guy played well, and when he and Atogwe are on their game, the Rams have some of the best safties in the league. If they had stud corners this would be a fearsome secondary.

The Defensive Line - They weren't perfect, but they made the best with what they had. They got pressure, they tipped passes, and Chris Long recording his second sack of the season.

I could go on and on, but these are the guys that really stood out to me. Who else belongs on this list? And finally, the game ball.

Game ball goes to...Rams head coach Steve Spagnuolo. He had this team born again hard this week, playing damn near air-tight football. The passion, the commitment to what he's been selling....it all came together this week. This guy will have this team competing, by next season. Hats off to you coach, this was a win in every way but one. The next seven games should be some great football. The new era has arrived today.

Questions for Kevin Demoff

VanRam — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 19:55:43 -0000

More photos » by Jeff Roberson - AP

Is Atogwe in the plans for next year?

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Tomorrow at 12:30 p.m. CST, St. Louis Rams VP of Football Operations and COO Kevin Demoff will take part in a live chat with fans on the Rams official web site. Some questions you might pose to the team's contract guy:

Are there plans to negotiate a new contract with O.J. Atogwe?
Is Alex Barron in the plans for next season? If so, will you use his RFA status to retain him?
If the league is without a cap next season, how will that directly impact the Rams?
Will you re-sign Leonard Little?
How active does the team plan to be on the free agent market?

Others?

Be sure to head over there for the chat. It should be pretty informative, and it also gives the Rams incentive to do more direct, new media outreach with their fan base.

St. Louis Rams stock watch

VanRam — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 20:47:39 -0000

More photos » by Phil Coale - AP

St. Louis Rams linebacker James Laurinaitis has been among the team's most valuable players thins season.

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The St. Louis Rams are halfway through the first season of a major franchise overhaul. Eight games in, we know lots more than we did in August. Draft picks have played their way into the lineup, or out of it. Free agent pickups have figured into the equation, and we have a better idea about the future of the team's veterans. So, with apologies to Mike Sando, let's take a look at some of the more notable cases with a stock watch.

BUY

James Laurinaitis - The second round pick has reminded fans and casual observers alike why he was considered first round talent just a year ago. Playing for a 1-win team his name is already in the conversation for defensive rookie of the year. Middle linebacker was a massive hole in the Rams defense since the jettisoning of London Fletcher, but now it's probably the strongest position on the defense. The future looks good.

Steven Jackson - Before this year, Jackson was merely good. Now he's truly great. This season, he's emerged as a team leader, a veteran guiding a rebuilding franchise through the rough early phases of the project. Of course, his onfield contributions can't be overstated either. He's the reason the Rams have one win, and playing with a truly inferior offense, he's torching some of the league's best defenses. SJ39 is one of those stocks that the price of entry is really high, but worth every penny.

James Butler - On paper, the Rams defense hasn't been particularly impressive. However, Butler has been a big part of the reason why it at least looks more competent than it has in recent seasons, guiding the youngsters through the transition to Spagnuolo and Flajole's scheme.

Jason Smith - The second overall pick is starting to look like the best OT from this year's draft. He learns fast, and you don't see him make the same mistake twice. This kid has a bright future.

HOLD

Oshiomogho Atogwe - The ball hawk is having a rougher season than we would have expected. Why? It's hard to say. The cornerback situation is no worse than it has been in the recent past for the Rams. The transition in schemes may have had some impact. Could his contract situation be a distraction? He'll be the story to watch in the offseason. Do the Rams re-sign him? If they opt to use the RFA route, he's bound to be a holdout.

Donnie Avery - Maybe it's the QB, maybe it's the new offense, whatever it is, it's been a rough season for Donnie Avery. Once the Rams address their needs at WR, Avery can get back to his role as a downfield threat, and some work in the slot.

Ron Bartell - It doesn't look like Bartell is top CB material. Still, he's signed to a reasonable contract and with a legitimate #1 corner beside him, he'll be part of a great duo.

SELL

Marc Bulger - Like so many, I thought he still had something left in the tank. The Detroit game proved me wrong.

Alex Barron - Sure, he's had his moments. You cannot refute that Barron has talent. However, he continues to put himself in the doghouse by taking bad penalties and occasionally taking himself out of plays. A half-game benching and stern lecture helped for just one game. I sometimes wonder if we might not see him back in '10, but on the right side, playing under a RFA contract.

Randy McMichael - Boink. That's the sound of another pass bouncing off his cast iron hands. McMichael offers little at this point in his career that a replacement level TE doesn't bring to the table.

Chris Long - The second overall pick from a year ago has failed to impress in his sophomore season. I still harbor some hope Long will get it figured out. He seems to have talent, and his desire is unquestionable. More talent on the line could help and some intensive coaching up. We'll see.