Safeties O.J. Atogwe, Bob Sanders, Eugene Wilson Released On Friday

by Sean Yuille on Feb 19, 2011 12:16 AM EST in NFL News

Oshiomogho Atogwe celebrates a sack against the Carolina Panthers.

A trio of veteran safeties were released by their respective teams and made free agents on Friday: O.J. Atogwe, Bob Sanders and Eugene Wilson.

Atogwe was let go by the St. Louis Rams. The reason he was released has to do with the $8 million roster bonus that was set to come his way on Feb. 21. St. Louis didn't want to pay the bonus, so they decided to simply cut ties with Atogwe.

Last summer, the Lions were reportedly interested in Atogwe when he was a free agent, but his salary demands were too high for the interest to go anywhere. It's unclear if the Lions would be interested in him this time around now that Erik Coleman was just signed, but if the price is right, I certainly would like to see Atogwe in a Lions uniform.

The other two safeties, Sanders and Wilson, were released by the Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans, respectively. Sanders can be a very good player when healthy, but the problem is he rarely is healthy. I'm sure he will land somewhere, but considering his injury problems, many teams probably won't even consider him. As for Wilson, he was a member of an absolutely dreadful Texans secondary last season, so I don't believe the Lions would be all that interested in him.

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Mayhew has to be thinking

Ok we got Coleman can I still make a move for OJ. Don’t forget about Randy Phillips in this or deal they likely don’t want to lose him either.

"Show me someone with an offseason and I'll show you someone in last place"- Ndamukong Suh ( All Pro, Pro Bowl, Pepsi Rookie of the year, AP defensive rookie of the year, Sporting news rookie of the year,)

by The Profiler on Feb 19, 2011 12:26 AM EST reply actions

+1

if i had to take one i would want OJ, but i am happy with Coleman. He is reliable if called on and will push Spievey, he had some good years and i’m sure can teach Delmas and Spievey some tricks.

Looking at Spievey last year he performed just as good if not better than everyone listed including Coleman and was a rookie learning on the job. Spievey could of of benefitted alot more from Delmas if he was 100%. I like Spiev alot and really don’t think we need OJ, Sanders, Wilson or any other S, i am happy with Delmas and Spievey as our starters as im sure Schwartz and Gun are Coleman is a nice sercurity blanket for us.

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by SmittyJ on Feb 19, 2011 11:39 AM EST up reply actions

Bob Sanders

When healthy he is a star. Maybe the injuries are behind him. Lets sign him and find out.

Ty Cobb is the greatest baseball player of all time:

1911 AL MVP
.367 career batting average (highest ever)
54 career steals of home (most all time)
Won 12 batting titles, including 9 in a row from 1907 to 1915.
Third all time in stolen bases with 892.
Second in runs scored with 2,245.
Second in career hits with 4,191.
Batted under .320 only once in his career.
Batted over .400 three times.

by Jack H on Feb 19, 2011 1:04 AM EST reply actions

no he is an undersized tampa 2 guy

Oshiomogho Atogwe is a better fit if the price is right.

by chucka on Feb 19, 2011 1:13 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Ya...no

This guy showing the stress of the physicality of the game, his age & small frame, hyave defined him the last 2 years & he wasn’t playing 4 the Lions, so you know he’s all but guaranteed 2 get injured here again. OJ’s kinda intruiging, since he’s from Windsor, the Canadien Detroit & he’s good, I know they like Spivey, but I’m still scratching my head @ that pick.

by LTownDown on Feb 19, 2011 10:03 AM EST up reply actions

I don't think Coleman precludes Atogwe at all

Coleman was more of a depth/reclamation project guy. Certainly not a guy Mayhew’s penciling in a starter.

by Trysdor on Feb 19, 2011 1:47 AM EST reply actions

don't get the project guy comment

I don’t think Mayhew’s penciling him in as a starter either, but he can certainly step in and do a good job as a starter like he always has. I would MUCH rather us not spend money on someone like OJ at safety and use that for LB or CB. I think we have some good prospects at safety. Delmas is off the chain and I like Spieveys potential. If e’s not picking it up fast enough, Coleman can always step in and be solid..plus Coleman is a good guy that will help Spievey and Phillips develop.

by rames on Feb 19, 2011 3:41 AM EST up reply actions

After the Coleman signing

I feel that our safety position is set for the season. And I feel good about it.

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by JCruize on Feb 19, 2011 5:52 AM EST up reply actions

Coleman looks like a solid player

But I’d also like to gamble a little by talking with Bob Sanders also.

by msivits on Feb 19, 2011 7:18 AM EST reply actions

Alphabet Soup

Then again, if we pick up Oshiomugho Atogwe, spend way too much money on Nnamdi Asomugha and draft Prince Akukamara after he somehow falls to us at 13, we’d have a new nickname for the secondary. ABCs, as in “after going against these guys you’ll forget your ABCs”.

by WildBillLion on Feb 19, 2011 7:22 AM EST reply actions

Or AAA

You are in good hands with triple A

All men are created equal. Its just that some men are more equal than others....

by CapitolLions on Feb 19, 2011 12:00 PM EST up reply actions

Alphonso

AAAA

by The Profiler on Feb 19, 2011 2:08 PM EST up reply actions

Atogwe ... homer?

… and Atogwe is from Windsor ON, maybe we can get some sort of hometown discount? I think it is certainly worth talking to him … and his parents if they are still in Windsor. Can’t hurt to have that kind of depth at safety.

And unless Sanders is willing to sign a 1yr deal I wouldn’t touch him … it might injure him

Life is hard, it's harder if you're going to be stupid
-- John Wayne

by PistonBroke on Feb 19, 2011 9:11 AM EST reply actions

Anyone of them would be an assest at the right price

I really can’t stand Brown, and Spivey needs to be the Nickle

All men are created equal. Its just that some men are more equal than others....

by CapitolLions on Feb 19, 2011 11:59 AM EST reply actions

coleman is agood pickup by the lions from alta its now the 2st player the lions have add to thier roster from that team if you count houston the cb they traded for last year . ithink in fa the lions will try to pickup olb stephen nicholas from atla he plays in a 4-3deffense and is player that fits the type of deffense the lions play also he young and is on upswing as player at olb spot . as for atogwe he would have to come at right price but ithink he wants abig contract and ijust dont think the lions will pay the kind of money to pickhim up .

by kwfords on Feb 19, 2011 2:13 PM EST reply actions