By Nick Wagoner
Senior Writer
There might not be a player on the Rams who has made more progress toward NFL stardom in the past two seasons than free safety Oshiomogho Atogwe.
Once deemed too slow to play free safety and too small to play strong, Atogwe has proved to be neither when the lights come on.
In fact, Atogwe has been perhaps the best play maker in the team’s secondary in the past two seasons, developing a solid reputation league wide for his penchant for being around the ball.
Atogwe had a semi-breakthrough in 2006 before blasting through the wall and on to the scene in 2007 with eight interceptions (most in the NFC), 75 tackles and 12 passes defended.
Atogwe was so good that before he hit the free agent market as a restricted free agent in March, the Rams tendered him at the first round level of compensation meaning it would take a team a major offer and a first round pick to get him out of St. Louis.
With Atogwe firmly entrenched in his position and the Rams hoping to get him signed up long term in the near future, one safety position is set heading into the April 26-27 NFL Draft.
At the strong safety spot, the big picture isn’t quite as developed. Veteran Corey Chavous struggled some in 2007, particularly with missed tackles. But Chavous is considered an important leader in the secondary and the locker room and his presence has been the biggest factor in the development of Atogwe.
Chavous finished last season with 74 tackles, 3.5 sacks and a forced fumble but had no interceptions and three passes defended.
Behind Chavous, the Rams have the steady Todd Johnson, who is a force on special teams and a more than capable fill in as a backup.
In addition, the team re-signed Jerome Carter to a one-year contract.
Although some consider finding Chavous’ successor a pressing need, it’s one that probably won’t be addressed until next season. In this year’s draft, it’s possible the Rams could grab a safety in the later rounds capable of developing into a potential starter down the line.
Miami’s Kenny Phillips and Arkansas State’s Tyrell Johnson are considered the top safeties in the draft but will likely be off the board before the Rams would get a crack at them in the middle rounds.
More likely potential names that could end up in St. Louis include LSU’s Craig Steltz, Michigan’s Jamar Adams and Oklahoma’s DJ Wolfe.
Local favorite Cornelius “Pig” Brown of Missouri is another potential late round or free agent player who could be a target as he recovers from a torn Achilles.
Safety
1. Kenny Phillips, Miami
2. Tyrell Johnson, Arkansas State
3. DaJuan Morgan, N.C. State
4. Joshua Barrett, Arizona State
5. Thomas DeCoud, California
Sleeper: Craig Steltz, LSU
Senior Writer
There might not be a player on the Rams who has made more progress toward NFL stardom in the past two seasons than free safety Oshiomogho Atogwe.
Once deemed too slow to play free safety and too small to play strong, Atogwe has proved to be neither when the lights come on.
In fact, Atogwe has been perhaps the best play maker in the team’s secondary in the past two seasons, developing a solid reputation league wide for his penchant for being around the ball.
Atogwe had a semi-breakthrough in 2006 before blasting through the wall and on to the scene in 2007 with eight interceptions (most in the NFC), 75 tackles and 12 passes defended.
Atogwe was so good that before he hit the free agent market as a restricted free agent in March, the Rams tendered him at the first round level of compensation meaning it would take a team a major offer and a first round pick to get him out of St. Louis.
With Atogwe firmly entrenched in his position and the Rams hoping to get him signed up long term in the near future, one safety position is set heading into the April 26-27 NFL Draft.
At the strong safety spot, the big picture isn’t quite as developed. Veteran Corey Chavous struggled some in 2007, particularly with missed tackles. But Chavous is considered an important leader in the secondary and the locker room and his presence has been the biggest factor in the development of Atogwe.
Chavous finished last season with 74 tackles, 3.5 sacks and a forced fumble but had no interceptions and three passes defended.
Behind Chavous, the Rams have the steady Todd Johnson, who is a force on special teams and a more than capable fill in as a backup.
In addition, the team re-signed Jerome Carter to a one-year contract.
Although some consider finding Chavous’ successor a pressing need, it’s one that probably won’t be addressed until next season. In this year’s draft, it’s possible the Rams could grab a safety in the later rounds capable of developing into a potential starter down the line.
Miami’s Kenny Phillips and Arkansas State’s Tyrell Johnson are considered the top safeties in the draft but will likely be off the board before the Rams would get a crack at them in the middle rounds.
More likely potential names that could end up in St. Louis include LSU’s Craig Steltz, Michigan’s Jamar Adams and Oklahoma’s DJ Wolfe.
Local favorite Cornelius “Pig” Brown of Missouri is another potential late round or free agent player who could be a target as he recovers from a torn Achilles.
Safety
1. Kenny Phillips, Miami
2. Tyrell Johnson, Arkansas State
3. DaJuan Morgan, N.C. State
4. Joshua Barrett, Arizona State
5. Thomas DeCoud, California
Sleeper: Craig Steltz, LSU