Updated, 5:15 p.m.: All appears to be quiet at Redskins Park, where free agent safety O.J. Atogwe was reportedly scheduled to visit today. It's unclear if the sixth-year veteran did indeed meet with Redskins officials, however. His agent, Ken Landphere, didn't respond to email and voicemails.
Original post:
The Washington Redskins are having free agent safety Oshiomogho Atogwe in for a visit today, according to Howard Balzer of St. Louis' ESPN 101.
Free safety is a position the Redskins are expected to upgrade this offseason after Kareem Moore struggled both with performance and injury last season. And Atogwe, whom the Rams released on Friday to avoid paying him an $8 million signing bonus, could be a good fit. He already is familiar with defensive coordinator Jim Haslett, having played for him in St. Louis from 2006 to 2008.
The 29-year-old Atogwe is strong in pass coverage, having recorded 22 interceptions in six seasons. His best season was 2007, when he notched eight interceptions while playing under Haslett. Last season the 5-foot-11, 205-pound Atogwe recorded 73 tackles, nine pass deflections and three interceptions.
Balzer reports that Atogwe was the Rams' franchise player in 2009, and then was a restricted free agent last season and sought a contract that would pay him $7 million a year, but he eventually re-signed with the Rams last June.
Now Atogwe is testing his value on the open market. But he isn't closing the door on a return to St. Louis.
"This is an opportunity for me to explore other options," Atogwe told Balzer. "It doesn't mean the Rams aren't still an option. A door has been opened so I can really see if this is where I'm supposed to continue to be or if I am supposed to go elsewhere. It gives me and my family more options to make a decision."
If Mike Shanahan and Bruce Allen conduct this visit as they have other free agent meetings, they won't sign Atogwe to a contract today, but instead he would leave and continue to talk to other teams gauging his worth. That's not saying a signing definitely wouldn't come today, however. That's just been the trend. Stay tuned
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/redskinsinsider/report-redskins-to-host-safety.html?wprss=redskinsinsider