Redskins Upgrade Defense With Atogwe

New collective bargaining agreement or not, the Redskins are moving forward with their off-season plans. 

While the team has a lot of needs on offense, on Thursday they signed former St. Louis Rams safety Oshiomogho Atogwe to provide an instant upgrade on defense.

The team did not disclose the terms of the deal, but sources told the Washington Post that it was for five years and $26 million.

Atogwe spent his previous six NFL seasons with the Rams -- including several playing for current Redskins defensive coordinator Jim Haslett -- after being selected in the third round of the 2005 NFL Draft out of Stanford. 

He was released by St. Louis after last season for monetary reasons.  The Rams reportedly did not want to pay him an $8 million roster bonus.

Last season, Atogwe played in 16 games -- 15 of those as a starter -- and had 87 tackles, three interceptions, three forced fumbles and two sacks. He was fined $5,000 by the league for grabbing New Orleans Saints running back Reggie Bush by the helmet on a tackle.

The ballhawk's combined 44 forced fumbles and interceptions since the start of 2006 are the most in the league, and he will instantly upgrade a Redskins' secondary that ranked 31st last season in passing yards allowed.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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