REAL football news - Skins sign Atogwe!

[SOUL-SKINS]

Originally Posted by saden1

Meh, we are celebrating the signing of a player released by the Rams? What's so special about him again?

Buzz kill. Well the Rams wanted to re-sign him for less money. Dudes a solid player.

[SirClintonPortis]

Painful memories of 2008 resurfacing, Painful memories of 2008 resurfacing...

5 years? Damn

[GusFrerotte]

Excellent, now if we just have a season in 2011 things will look up. I hope they don't get Locker though.

[Dirtbag59]

Originally Posted by saden1

Meh, we are celebrating the signing of a player released by the Rams? What's so special about him again?

The Rams. You mean the team with ownership problems that couldn't afford to pay his $8 million bonus? How you can't like this signing is beyond me. You're talking about a coverage FS (our second biggest hole on defense outside of NT) that is second in the league in turnovers over the course of the last five years.

While we're at it lets just assume that every SEC athlete is superior to every last athlete from every other college conference. That Western Conference teams in the NBA and NHL would easily make it to their respective championships if they played in the East. And that every player that plays on a struggling team sucks.

[tryfuhl]

Originally Posted by skinsfan69

Not sure what to think about this signing. Has anyone really seen this guy play a lot? I assume probably not. He's familar with Haslett but so what? He fills a need but isn't he around 30? I just don't see the point in signing anyone around that age on a team that needs to rebuild and get younger.

It's more than fine to have some signings of guys around the age; it doesn't have to be nearly all of them a la Gibbs II but veterans of that age bring experience, leadership, and other qualities that you would desire. There is no magical pool of top tier 26 year old UFA's. If a guy is a UFA in his mid 20s either he 1) sucks or 2) the team can't afford to pay him and he's not staying without top dollar. I'll take the 30 year old please.

[tryfuhl]

Originally Posted by Mattyk

Ross Tucker via Twitter: Love OJ Atogwe signing by Skins. He was in on 44 TO's over last 5 years. That's not luck. That's a trend.

Yep, I'll attribute a lot of that to Haslett. Love him or hate him he makes his guys go for the ball. Anyone think D. Hall would've had the strip/recovery/TD vs Dallas if Haslett wasn't here? Probably not.

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by saden1

Meh, we are celebrating the signing of a player released by the Rams? What's so special about him again?

The Saints, just two years removed from winning the Super Bowl, just signed a guy pushing 40 who was cut by the Browns. And the Chargers, just two years away from 13 wins and the playoffs just signed a 30 year old who's played fewer NFL games the last three years than Malcolm Kelly, so....

[ethat001]

Originally Posted by saden1

Meh, we are celebrating the signing of a player released by the Rams? What's so special about him again?

What's so special about him?

Well, for starters, he loves comic books & action figures:
Videos Posted by FOX Sports Midwest: Rams All Access on FSMW -- At Home with O.J. Atogwe | Facebook

..and he was a soccer goalie, likes guitar hero, and likes boxing..

YouTube - Get To Know: OJ Atogwe

Forced fumble - leads NFL in fumble/INTs since 2006 (according to video)
NFL Videos: Atogwe strips Moreno

Another forced fumble (pretty awesome stripped ball)
NFL Videos: Rams Defense Highlight, WK 13 vs. Bears 2009

Endzone INT from P.Rivers:
NFL Videos: Atogwe end-zone pick

INT vs. M.Moore:
NFL Videos: Atogwe 34-yard INT

INT vs. Brees:
NFL Videos: Atogwe INT

Or perhaps, a painful play - against -- us:
NFL Videos: Atogwe's fumble return

Another poor quality highlight reel:

YouTube - Oshiomogho Atogwe

Anyway, seems like he has an uncanny knack for being in the right place and creating turnovers. His forced fumbles are impressive above. With him, Hall and Landry I think our D should create a lot more fumbles & INTs and got a lot better. He also seems like a nice guy that's good for the locker room in the interviews above. After all he's Canadian.

Hard not to like it - the only caveat he's 29, so he'll only be good for 2-3 years. Since I don't see us going to the Super Bowl in the next 2-3 years, he may not help us much -- but our D will be more fun to watch.

[juskins]

If Von Miller is gone when we pick at #10, then look for the Skins to pick Aldo Smith. I am not comfortable with Quinn.

[tryfuhl]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

The Saints, just two years removed from winning the Super Bowl, just signed a guy pushing 40 who was cut by the Browns. And the Chargers, just two years away from 13 wins and the playoffs just signed a 30 year old who's played fewer NFL games the last three years than Malcolm Kelly, so....

and the Patriots, who won 3 within 4 years

should I list them?

[tryfuhl]

Originally Posted by juskins

If Von Miller is gone when we pick at #10, then look for the Skins to pick Aldo Smith. I am not comfortable with Quinn.

Michael Lombardi's newest mock has us taking Aldon Smith.

[musicmaster45]

Yea Smith would be a great edition with Orakapo. Similar styles.

[juskins]

Originally Posted by musicmaster45

Yea Smith would be a great edition with Orakapo. Similar styles.

He plays DE but he has the speed to play OLB in a 34 D.

Question is: Do we move down in the first round to get him if Von Miller is gone?
Take DT Kendrick Ellis from Hampton in the 3rd round if we trade down. Switch him to NT.

Don't we get a compensatory 3rd round pick this year?

[SFREDSKIN]

Atogwe besides being skilled, is a smart player. He would be the kind of player Gibbs would have signed, a smart player from Stanford who can play.

[MTK]

Scouts Inc.

Comment: Atogwe is a ball-hawking safety with a good feel for the game and good athleticism. He has the foot quickness to get good depth with his back pedal and the fluid hips to turn and run with receivers or to open and break on the ball in front of him or to the sidelines with a good burst. He has good route recognition and does a good job of reading the quarterback's eyes to get a jump on the ball. He is not a blow-up tackler but is not timid about inserting himself in run support and generally brings down the ball carrier well. He has still takes too many chances and can give up the big one to speed receivers and lacks the kind of top-end speed that can help compensate for mistakes.