A possible replacement for Ken Hamlin? - Oshiomogho Atogwe

[Doctor32]

Bears interested in Atogwe?

1:58PM ET
Oshiomogho Atogwe | Rams | Interested: Bears?, 49ers?

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"I think safety is becoming such a prevalent position now," ESPN analyst Ron Jaworski told the Chicago Sun-Times. "You have to have someone who is a thumper back there, and [the Chicago Bears] don't have that right now."
Of the top-tier safeties scheduled to hit free agency this offseason, many will be restricted (Darren Sharper is the exception, but signs point to him staying with the Saints). But one possibility is Oshiomogho Atogwe, who is a candidate for release by the St. Louis Rams based on earlier buzz. The Rams may also consider a good trade offer for Atogwe, who has previously been linked to the San Francisco 49ers as well.
With no picks in the first two rounds of the draft, the Bears might have to make a decisive move within the next few weeks to address their need.






My take - If the Rams are apt to release or trade this playmaking FS, the Cowboys should jump. This move frees the club up to look away from drafting a Saftey this April and go after more pressing positions of need - OL, DT, WR...

 

[JBS]

we need a playmaker at the safety position in the worst way..IMO, that is our biggest need this offseason..

 

[Alexander]

Don't count on it.

This is from Howard Balzer in today's St. Louis Post-Dispatch:

Atogwe played the 2009 season on the one-year franchise tender of $6.342 million. Even as a restricted free agent, he can still be franchised again or get the transition tag. Either of those would require a 20-percent raise for a tender of $7.61 million. The franchise tag requires two first-round picks as compensation, while there is no compensation for a player that leaves as a transition player.

The Rams could also elect to tender Atogwe as a restricted free agent at that 10-percent raise for a salary of $6.976 million. That compensation would be first- and third-round picks.

 

[Avenging Hayseed]

Nick Collins???????

 

[TellerMorrow34]

How old is he? Is he still the playmaking safety that he seemed to be a couple years ago? If anyone has seen him play a lot would this be a serious upgrade from Hamlin?

 

[Alexander]

How old is he? Is he still the playmaking safety that he seemed to be a couple years ago? If anyone has seen him play a lot would this be a serious upgrade from Hamlin?

He has a nose for the football and would be a big upgrade from Hamlin.

So would a lot of safeties.

 

[Alexander]

Nick Collins???????

He's restricted.

I hate to break it to you, this will be an extremely boring free agency period. I thought it was understood how little impact is it was going to have.

 

[jobberone]

I wonder what they think of M Hamlin. My feeling is they need to see what they have in him. He is still a potential steal in the 5th even though I have some reservations about him. I still think he could be what we're looking for. That has to come into play when looking for a ball hawking safety. Unless we draft a safety high that has a can't miss on tag on him then I don't see us drafting or picking up a safety in FA.

 

[DBOY3141]

We will draft a safety in the draft. I'm guessing either Thomas from UT or Allen from South Florida.

 

[Alexander]

I wonder what they think of M Hamlin. My feeling is they need to see what they have in him. He is still a potential steal in the 5th even though I have some reservations about him. I still think he could be what we're looking for. That has to come into play when looking for a ball hawking safety. Unless we draft a safety high that has a can't miss on tag on him then I don't see us drafting or picking up a safety in FA.

If I am betting, there is a good chance that this is one of the players that makes up what Jerry Jones is saying counts as "half a draft".

So if someone is banking on getting a free safety high or going after a high ticket free agent, they might be sorely disappointed.

 

[NextGenBoys]

I think we can do better, I'm not sold on him. Then again he was on a terrible team so I dunno.

 

[CoolNClutch]

He's pretty solid. Funny because I've always compared him to Gerald Sensabaugh, except more of a ballhawk. Both guys are kinda under-the-radar, solid players.

 

[SLATEmosphere]

I wanted him last year.

He's still a great player and will thrive on a good defensive team.

He's going to be 29 this year so that's something to think about.

 

[gmoney112]

If I am betting, there is a good chance that this is one of the players that makes up what Jerry Jones is saying counts as "half a draft".

So if someone is banking on getting a free safety high or going after a high ticket free agent, they might be sorely disappointed.

Isn't M.Hamlin projected as a Strong Safety?

 

[texastwister]

Thought we couldnt sign any FA this year why do people keep looking at them

 

[eightysiX]

Thought we couldnt sign any FA this year why do people keep looking at them

oh but we can, there are only limitations. We can only sign one big FA, i think 5.5+ mil salary in the first year or something like that.

 

[dallascowboyfanboy]

Hmmmm... if the bears don't have a pick in the first 2 rounds I'd trade our 2nd for DT Tommie Harris and maybe their 5th rounder.

 

[SLATEmosphere]

Hmmmm... if the bears don't have a pick in the first 2 rounds I'd trade our 2nd for DT Tommie Harris and maybe their 5th rounder.

:laugh2:

 

[Dodger]

"You have to have someone who is a thumper back there..."

No you don't. You need a guy who is a sure tackler and someone with the cover skills of a decent corner, and in my opinion, that goes for both safety positions. Free or strong safety, it doesn't matter. Both should be able to tackle and cover well. Basically, I want a couple of guys that can be somewhat difficult to find, but hey, that's me.

 

[TheCount]

we need a playmaker at the safety position in the worst way..IMO, that is our biggest need this offseason..

We have one. Mike Hamlin.