Washington Redskins 2011: What Could FS O.J. Atogwe Could Mean to D.C.?

The offseason has begun and with it, the most exciting part of every Redskins season. The cries have already come for Bob Sanders and Nnamdi Asomugha to be brought to Washington. Each year the Redskins go into free agency and make a big splash by signing a big-name player and slapping a large expensive contract on him.

In 2009, it was Albert Haynesworth. In 2010, it was Donovan McNabb. In 2011, the team is reaping the actions they sowed as both are draining the team financially and physically.

There is no question that again, the Redskins will be active in the free-agent market, but whether or not the owner (no names mentioned) dishes out his money on a needless big name will determine the future of the franchise.

Late in 2007, the Redskins lost a free safety that was clearly the best defender they had on the team. After two Pro Bowls in his first two seasons, it appeared Sean Taylor was on his way to a monster career for the Redskins. Since his loss, no player has been able to adequately fill his shoes. 

The team's 2007 first-round pick, LaRon Landry, switched to free safety to help fill the void for a few years, and last year Kareem Moore played the position. Landry has gone on to play his natural position of strong safety and thrived in it.

Unfortunately, Kareem Moore has not met the same success. The free safety position still is a big hole in the Redskins secondary due to his poor coverage and terrible tackling ability.

On Feb. 18, the St. Louis Rams parted ways with their captain, free safety O.J. Atogwe. According to an ESPN 101 radio station in St. Louis, Atogwe scheduled to meet with the Redskins on Monday.

This appears to be his first of many spots such as Dallas, Jacksonville and Miami. Dallas' secondary was atrocious in 2010 and could use the upgrade.

The Redskins would do well to sign the 29-year-old safety, as the results could prove to hold great dividends. Landry, who would line up with Atogwe in the secondary, would be allowed more freedom to roam and rush the passer. This was something he did well last year.

Atogwe, who does better in open-field protection than in the blitz, would give the Redskins more breathing room deep to open more blitz packages for their newborn 3-4 defense.

Atogwe is already familiar with Redskins defensive coordinator Jim Haslett, after playing under his coaching in St. Louis from 2006 to 2008. If the Redskins are able to sign the safety, they would be set with one of the best safety combinations in the league for several years to come. The move wouldn't break their bank, like the $100M contract for Haynesworth or the $70M for McNabb. 

If you add in the 2010 Pro Bowl MVP DeAngelo Hall at corner, the Redskins secondary becomes one of the strongest in football, which eliminates one of the many needs the team faces for the future.

The move would not cost them any draft picks, which they need to savor as April approaches. This would allow them to focus their offseason attention to the major needs of O-line, D-line and wide receiver.

As mentioned, Atogwe will likely visit with other teams to find his value on the market with teams that could truly use him. However, I see Bruce Allen and Mike Shanahan doing whatever is necessary to bring the safety to the burgundy and gold in 2011.