It took an extra day, but the Eagles and free agent safety O.J. Atogwe agreed on a one-year contract today.
There were two reports yesterday that Atogwe had signed with the Eagles, one in which the former Redskin confirmed the move in a text message, according to ESPN Radio 980 in Washington. But two NFL sources as of the evening said that a deal had not been finalized.
All signs, of course, pointed to something getting done. Atogwe didn't go unsigned until mid-June without reason. And the Eagles needed to add some veteran depth at the safety position.
The 30-year-old Atogwe won't enter training camp as one of the starters. Nate Allen and Kurt Coleman will man those spots. But he will be there just in case one falters. The Eagles' safeties struggled last season so it's not a given that Allen and Coleman -- both of whom lost their starting spots at points last year -- have a lock on the jobs.
The addition of Atogwe could conceivably bring into doubt Jaiquawn Jarrett's spot on the team. The second-year safety is the third safety at this point, but the Eagles would have obviously liked to see the 2011 second-round draft pick push Coleman, a 2010 seventh rounder, during the spring. He did not.
The Eagles typically carry four safeties. If Colt Anderson, a special teams ace, returns from a December torn ACL in time for the start of the season, Jarrett could find his job in jeopardy.
Atgowe started seven games and played in 13 for the Redskins last season. After signing a five-year contract last March, he battled hamstring and toe injuries. He was released this March. In six prior seasons with the Rams, however, he was a playmaking safety, recording 22 interceptions and 16 forced fumbles. He notched three picks last season in Washington as is considered more of a cover safety than a big-hitting, run-stopping one.
To make room for Atogwe on the 90-man roster, the Eagles released long snapper Matt Camilli.
Read more: http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/eagles/Eagles_finally_sign_Atogwe.html#ixzz1yMUqcohz
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There were two reports yesterday that Atogwe had signed with the Eagles, one in which the former Redskin confirmed the move in a text message, according to ESPN Radio 980 in Washington. But two NFL sources as of the evening said that a deal had not been finalized.
All signs, of course, pointed to something getting done. Atogwe didn't go unsigned until mid-June without reason. And the Eagles needed to add some veteran depth at the safety position.
The 30-year-old Atogwe won't enter training camp as one of the starters. Nate Allen and Kurt Coleman will man those spots. But he will be there just in case one falters. The Eagles' safeties struggled last season so it's not a given that Allen and Coleman -- both of whom lost their starting spots at points last year -- have a lock on the jobs.
The addition of Atogwe could conceivably bring into doubt Jaiquawn Jarrett's spot on the team. The second-year safety is the third safety at this point, but the Eagles would have obviously liked to see the 2011 second-round draft pick push Coleman, a 2010 seventh rounder, during the spring. He did not.
The Eagles typically carry four safeties. If Colt Anderson, a special teams ace, returns from a December torn ACL in time for the start of the season, Jarrett could find his job in jeopardy.
Atgowe started seven games and played in 13 for the Redskins last season. After signing a five-year contract last March, he battled hamstring and toe injuries. He was released this March. In six prior seasons with the Rams, however, he was a playmaking safety, recording 22 interceptions and 16 forced fumbles. He notched three picks last season in Washington as is considered more of a cover safety than a big-hitting, run-stopping one.
To make room for Atogwe on the 90-man roster, the Eagles released long snapper Matt Camilli.
Read more: http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/eagles/Eagles_finally_sign_Atogwe.html#ixzz1yMUqcohz
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