"It has been several years in the making, but free safety Oshiomogho Atogwe finally has the long-term contract that has been so elusive. It's just not with the Rams. Atogwe's six-year run with the Rams officially came to an end Thursday when he signed a five-year, $26 million deal with the Washington Redskins. According to league sources, it's believed that about $12 million of that total is guaranteed money. Atogwe could not be reached for comment Thursday. There was no comment from Rams Park either, where the team suddenly has a big hole to fill at the safety position. Atogwe, 29, was a third-round draft pick by the Rams out of Stanford in 2005 and has been a five-year starter for the team. He got his first chance to start in St. Louis in 2006, when Jim Haslett came in as defensive coordinator for then-head coach Scott Linehan. Atogwe will be reunited with Haslett, the Redskins' defensive coordinator. The Rams released Atogwe on Feb. 18 rather than pay him an $8 million roster bonus that was due Feb. 21. Atogwe also would have made $3.5 million in base salary as a Ram in 2011, so he would have made $11.5 million total — more than the Rams were willing to pay. Although unwilling to pay the roster bonus, the Rams continued to talk to Atogwe's agent about the possibility of bringing him back. In the end, Atogwe chose a coach he is familiar with in Haslett, but just as important is the fact that Haslett's system probably is a better match with Atogwe's skills. He didn't have as much freedom to roam the field and maximize his playmaking skills under Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo, playing more in the box — like a strong safety would — and being used more as a blitzer. A durable and reliable player, Atogwe recorded 87 tackles last season, and also had three interceptions, three forced fumbles and two sacks. Since the start of his first season as a Rams starter, 2006, Atogwe piled up 22 interceptions and 21 forced fumbles. The 43 combined interceptions/forced fumbles is a league high over that span." Read more: http://www.stltoday.com/sports/foot...cle_192fbbdd-a627-5960-87df-3aba10213e2a.html
