Bills, O.J. Atogwe Could Meet After 2011 NFL Combine

by Brian Galliford on Feb 24, 2011 3:30 PM EST in Buffalo Bills News

On Monday, reports emerged that the Buffalo Bills were interested in two recently-released free agent safeties: Bob Sanders (Indianapolis) and O.J. Atogwe (St. Louis). Sanders visited Buffalo on Tuesday, has also visited with Jacksonville, and may make more visits next week. We hadn't heard anything about Atogwe since the initial report, but ESPN's Tim Graham addressed that issue this morning.

According to Graham, league sources confirm that the Bills are still interested in Atogwe, and that the two parties could get together for a visit next week.

Which, of course, makes sense. Bills head coach Chan Gailey said Thursday that he was not present for Sanders' Tuesday evening visit with defensive coordinator George Edwards, likely because he was busy preparing for the 2011 NFL Combine. That event is all-consuming for all 32 NFL teams through this weekend, and Gailey - along with GM Buddy Nix - won't be back in Buffalo until next Tuesday at the earliest.

In any case, the Bills - with Donte Whitner and George Wilson looking at free agency - aren't done kicking the tires of free agent safeties just yet.

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Im starting to believe the Bills are doing this to bring down Donte Whitner’s contract demands and then resign him. Which I think would be ideal.

i’m sure i’m going to regret this conversation… but what the hell - J2

by poz on Feb 24, 2011 3:42 PM EST reply actions

agreed

Whitner will not find what he is looking for, unless all he wants is a new team.

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-Steve Tasker-

by billsoferie on Feb 24, 2011 3:50 PM EST up reply actions

That's an interesting thought man.

I’d be more pumped if we were able to just sign Atogwe though.

"Ability without character will lose. The Bills are going to be a team of high character. That stamp I will push very hard. I hope we can convey that to our fans and project something very special to the rest of the nation." - Marv Levy

by BuffaloBlueBlood on Feb 24, 2011 3:51 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

i hear ya

to be honest, itd be nice to just settle it and move on

i’m sure i’m going to regret this conversation… but what the hell - J2

by poz on Feb 24, 2011 8:01 PM EST up reply actions

Honestly I would rather have Sander, Atogwe or Wilson in Donte’s spot anyway

I for one would be excited to see Brett Farve in a Bills uniform next year
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by Jcksn22 on Feb 24, 2011 3:55 PM EST up reply actions

i agree

They say he’s is such an integral part of their defense which im sure he might be. but he doesnt really perform like it. Im not sure oj would really help what we need most which is better run defense but im damn sure he’ll be prob be an upgrade to whitner. i would imagine he’s asking what whitner is and prob more……

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by OC-BILLS-FAN on Feb 24, 2011 4:12 PM EST up reply actions

I think they’re doing this because they realize Donte Whitner is not a game-changer and they can and should improve as soon as possible.

In the year two thousaaaaaaand.
In the year two thousAAAAAAND!

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by TheAfghanTwilight on Feb 24, 2011 4:05 PM EST up reply actions

Well there hasn’t been a bigger game changer in the NFL than Atogwe in the last 5 years.

The Buffalo Bills, finding new and exciting ways to lose since January 8th, 2000.

by CanadianBillsFan on Feb 24, 2011 5:21 PM EST up reply actions

Ed Reed, Troy Polamalu

sorry had to be that guy…but those 2 are bigger game changers at safety over Atogwe hell I’d even say Nick Collins Brian Dawkins and Adrian Wilson are bigger game changers if were going to go back 5 years. Not to take anything away from Atogwe he is a good to borderline great safety and I’d love to see him in a Bills uni, but to say he is the biggest gamechanger at that position is a little over the top is all.

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by panekattack on Feb 25, 2011 9:20 AM EST up reply actions

I would be ideal.

But if DOnte doesn’t bite then Atogwe would be a great consolation prize,

The Buffalo Bills, finding new and exciting ways to lose since January 8th, 2000.

by CanadianBillsFan on Feb 24, 2011 5:20 PM EST up reply actions

Atogwe is more than just some consolation prize, he was worthy of a franchise tag a few years ago and is being linked to numerous NFL .teams that want him.. Nobody wants whitner at that salary

by flutieshakes on Feb 24, 2011 6:33 PM EST up reply actions

Atogwe was just cut

by an up and coming team in a wide open division.

Hes a good player but hes not a star.

i’m sure i’m going to regret this conversation… but what the hell - J2

by poz on Feb 24, 2011 8:00 PM EST up reply actions

He was cut, most likely, so the Rams could avoid paying out a $8 M roster bonus. Reports are that the Rams are still interested in signing him in FA.

The right (draft) move sometimes might be to strengthen a strength. Filling holes in the 1st round leads to grabs and busts. by Steve_Chiefs.

by Buffalo for Eternity on Feb 25, 2011 8:16 AM EST up reply actions

I understand

Im just saying, you dont cut great players to avoid paying them huge bonuses and give other teams a chance to swipe them unless you have reservations about their greatness.

i’m sure i’m going to regret this conversation… but what the hell - J2

by poz on Feb 25, 2011 10:24 AM EST up reply actions

Or the upcoming non-revenue season.

The right (draft) move sometimes might be to strengthen a strength. Filling holes in the 1st round leads to grabs and busts. by Steve_Chiefs.

by Buffalo for Eternity on Feb 25, 2011 10:53 AM EST up reply actions

still dont cut a great player for that reason

i’m sure i’m going to regret this conversation… but what the hell - J2

by poz on Feb 25, 2011 12:14 PM EST up reply actions

How about cutting a “good player”, which seems to be a better description?

The right (draft) move sometimes might be to strengthen a strength. Filling holes in the 1st round leads to grabs and busts. by Steve_Chiefs.

by Buffalo for Eternity on Feb 25, 2011 12:39 PM EST up reply actions

agreed

i’m sure i’m going to regret this conversation… but what the hell - J2

by poz on Feb 24, 2011 8:00 PM EST up reply actions

Atogwe is from Windsor

so maybe that could help our cause. What was the reason for the Rams releasing him anyway.

Anyone got a phonetic spelling for his name?

by telka on Feb 24, 2011 4:10 PM EST reply actions

He was released due to his salary...

I think it was guaranteed at $8mil

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by NorCal BillsFan on Feb 24, 2011 4:12 PM EST up reply actions

o-SHIM-ago A-TOG-way

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by fansince60 on Feb 24, 2011 4:43 PM EST up reply actions

COOL!

by telka on Feb 24, 2011 4:58 PM EST up reply actions

Anyone got a phonetic spelling for his name?

O-Toag-Way

The Buffalo Bills, finding new and exciting ways to lose since January 8th, 2000.

by CanadianBillsFan on Feb 24, 2011 5:22 PM EST up reply actions

It would be

a departure from the norm for us to sign a high price FA, however with Stroud cut and us having the room to pay a few top people – why not ?

Either would be good, though Sanders is clearly the bigger risk. He would also be the more affordable option. If you could sign Sanders and then bring back George Wilson as insurance I’d be fine with that.

2011 - Revenge of the Bills fan !

by Will G on Feb 24, 2011 5:55 PM EST reply actions