In my opinion, Atogwe will be wearing a Rams uniform next year. Unless its proven his shoulder is completely usesless, the Rams have no choice but to pay him on a one year Franchise tag, or 110% of his 2009 salary, whichever is greater. Atogwe has no say here. He may not be, IMO, worth anything close to that amount and he may not be the best in the NFL but the fact still remains, he is a good player. If a new suitable to OJ, contract, is not worked out by Jun 1 do they let a good player just walk and get nothing for him ? Thats the ultimate question here and the Rams have let some pretty good players just walk out the door in the last few years due to the fact the FO and ownership issues are in complete utter turmoil.
Its been a widely thought fact around the league that the Rams FO has been given a firm mandate by current majority owners Chip Rosenbloom and Lucia Rodriques, NOT TO SPEND ANYMORE THEN IS NECESSARY to keep the team in business. The team has been up for sale for two years now with no takers until just recently. Stan Kroenke who has 40% share , along with rights of first refusal on any sale, just walked out of the closet and shot down the proposed sale to a guy named Khan. Problem is , Kroenke also owns the Denver Nuggets, Denver Avalanche , along with owning the Pepsi center outright that both clubs play in. That violates cross ownership rules. Kroenke said he will sell the Rams to his wife, who's family, owns and operates Wallmart. League called foul there. In short, its a mess but money or no money, the way I see it the Rams are forced to franchise tag this guy again because even as bad as they are and as many bad decisions that have been made on that Organization in the last three years, they simply cannot let a good player just walk out the door. That would be a sign to many fans the Organization is still major screwed up and would keep more fannies out of the seats.
Rams already faced many home game blackouts last year, they do not want more of them. Sorry to Ramble but no way I see them letting OJ just walk out the door and recieve nothing in return if he is healthy. I believe thats why not movement by other teams has been heard about. Teams interested are waiting to see what the Rams next move is.
