O.J. Atogwe or Darren Sharper: Who Should Dolphins Consider?

With the Ryan Clark stunner still fresh in our minds, it's time to sit back and weigh the Dolphins' options. Obviously, there is always the draft, but should they really consider trusting an unproven rookie to fill the void of a position that was the Achilles heel of the defense just a year ago?

Well, the options remaining are limited, but intriguing as well. The two names that have been thrown out there are O.J. Atogwe and Darren Sharper.

Both Atogwe and Sharper have pros and cons, just like any potential free agent acquisition. So let's try and measure the value of both players to determine which would be the best fix at free safety for the Dolphins.

By the way, there hasn't been any hard evidence that Miami is thinking about pursuing either one, but of the remaining options in free agency, they make the most sense. Also, because Bill Parcells has already stated he didn't want any leaks, they could possibly be in talks with nobody knowing about it.

O.J. Atogwe

Case For: Even though he has spent his career on the lowly Rams, Atogwe has started to earn the reputation of one of the league's better cover safeties. In five seasons with St. Louis, he has picked off 19 passes (eight in '07), defensed another 29, and accumulated 317 tackles. Not too shabby.

I think it's quite evident that the only reason Atogwe isn't a bigger star is because he plays for the Rams—a team that usually only gets exposure for negative reasons. If he had the same production for, let's say, the Colts or Patriots, he could be a household name.

Maybe, it's rightfully so he doesn't get much credit on a losing squad, but at the same time he should be examined as an individual when contemplating whether or not to make a play for him. Not to mention, he's still only 28, meaning he would be an excellent fix for the present, all the while providing long-term stability at free safety.

Case Against: Simply put: money. He's a restricted free agent, but the Rams gave him the lowest tender possible. They put the "right to first refusal" tender on him, meaning the Dolphins wouldn't lose any draft picks in the event of a signing. However, the Rams could match any offer Miami put on the table, and there's no way they are going to let their best defensive back go without putting up a fight.

In fact, if they thought they could live without him, they probably would have given him a first round tender at least, so they would have some sort of compensation. Now, their plan is probably just to try and save cash, by hoping nobody makes him an offer.

If a team comes along though, like our Dolphins for example, then I'm sure they will do what's necessary to retain him, even if the price skyrockets. Atogwe would be a great fit, no doubt, but it's hard to to see the front office dishing out another huge contract after just committing so much cash to Karlos Dansby.

Darren Sharper

Case For: His nine interceptions in '09 tied a personal best and was tied for the lead in the entire league. Over his illustrious career, Sharper has picked off a total of 63 passes, returning 11 for touchdowns. After Ed Reed, Sharper may be next in line, in a rank of the best ball-hawking safeties over the years.

There's no debate about it: Darren Sharper is one of the best in the business. Not to mention, signing him will come at a much cheaper price than Atogwe.

Case Against: At 34 years old, Sharper is nothing more than a short-term fix. At his age, it's unlikely he will be able to duplicate the type of performance he had a year ago, and it should only be a short time before his production starts to drop off.

Accompany his age with the reports that Sharper showed up to the Saints Super Bowl DVD premiere on crutches, due to recently having arthroscopic knee surgery to clear up some lingering tissue, and he might be a little too risky for the Dolphins.