Yet another Stud Safety a potential Free Agent?

[Bill Lundberg]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com...el-rfa-tender/

A caveat on the lowest-level RFA tender

Posted by Mike Florio on March 4, 2010 10:33 AM ET
With the Rams reportedly thinking seriously about using the lowest-level restricted free agency tender on safety Oshiomogho Atogwe, a franchise player in 2009, our interpretation of the CBA on this point has been confirmed -- a restricted free agent who is limited only by a right of first refusal is not entitled to a one-year salary that equates to 110 percent of his 2009 pay.

But there's a catch.

As a league source explains it, and as we've confirmed by reviewing the CBA (Article XIX, section (i)(1)), the tender applies only until June 1. At that point, the team must offer the greater of the prior tender or 110 percent of the player's 2009 salary. Otherwise, the player becomes a free agent.

So what this means is that, for a player like Atogwe, the Rams' window of opportunity would apply from March 5 until May 31. At that point, they'd have to decide whether to give Atogwe nearly $7 million -- or let him go.

As a result, the lowest-level tender has a specific shelf life when applied to a guy who made huge money in the prior year. And if means that, if Atogwe doesn't get a long-term deal by the end of May, he'll get a crack at one in June, since the Rams will most likely let him walk in lieu of offering him the kind of contract they're apparently not willing to offer him now.

['Hamas' Jenkins]

Atogwe is an incredibly underrated player.

[Chiefs=Champions]

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

Atogwe is an incredibly underrated player.

This if we signed him i would JIMP, then JIMP again

[Brock]

There would be a ton of teams after him.

[Fritz88]

Pioli

[The Franchise]

Go get him now. I don't care if he's going to be getting $6-$7 million a year. No salary cap = me not giving a shit.

[OnTheWarpath15]

The lowest RFA tender compensation is an original round pick.

OJ was taken in R3.

If the Rams put the lowest tender on him, almost every ****ing team in the league will be after him.

[Bill Lundberg]

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

The lowest RFA tender compensation is an original round pick.

OJ was taken in R3.

If the Rams put the lowest tender on him, almost every ****ing team in the league will be after him.

And then the Rams have first right of refusal correct? So basically, they are just letting the rest of the league set the market for him then they will match.

I guess my thinking is you have to front load the hell out of the contract offer and probably put a poison pill in it to make sure they don't match. If the Rams were willing to pay him $7 million or more, then they would have placed a higher tender on him. If I'm understanding this correctly.

[The Franchise]

Originally Posted by Bill Lundberg

And then the Rams have first right of refusal correct? So basically, they are just letting the rest of the league set the market for him then they will match.

I guess my thinking is you have to front load the hell out of the contract offer and probably put a poison pill in it to make sure they don't match. If the Rams were willing to pay him $7 million or more, then they would have placed a higher tender on him. If I'm understanding this correctly.

Basically this. And some team out there WILL put a poison pill in there to get him.

[OnTheWarpath15]

Originally Posted by Bill Lundberg

And then the Rams have first right of refusal correct? So basically, they are just letting the rest of the league set the market for him then they will match.

I guess my thinking is you have to front load the hell out of the contract offer and probably put a poison pill in it to make sure they don't match. If the Rams were willing to pay him $7 million or more, then they would have placed a higher tender on him. If I'm understanding this correctly.

Originally Posted by Pestilence

Basically this. And some team out there WILL put a poison pill in there to get him.

Yep.

One thing about front-loading contracts, because I've seen it mentioned a couple of time because of the lack of a cap.

Teams are going to want to front load deals, but I think doing so may effect the decision making of the players.

Getting your guaranteed money spread out? Security.

Getting all up-front? Not so much. Matt Cassel is an example of this. Granted, he'll get his money, but then could be out on his ass - where a player that has his guaranteed money spread out is less likely to be cut, and enjoys more long-term security - IMO.

[HotRoute]

it seems like there are more good safeties available through free agency than ever before. i wouldnt be surprised if we didn't take a safety at all in this years draft

[BossChief]

I dont watch the Rams, but I generally agree with OTWs takes most the time and knowing he lives in that market and has likely seen more of him than most of us and thinks so highly of him, I say go for it.

Lord knows we need help at safety.

[Pasta Little Brioni]

Now this would be a really good signing.