Highlighted Year: Oshiomogho Atogwe, 2007

Safety, St. Louis Rams

Age: 26

3^rd season in pro football & with Rams

College: Stanford

Height: 5’11” Weight: 210

Prelude:

The Canadian-born “O.J.” Atogwe was a track as well as football standout in college, intercepting nine passes. He was chosen by the Rams in the third round of the 2005 NFL draft and moved into the starting lineup at free safety in ’06. Atogwe improved over the course of the season, playing well against the run and increasing his range and playmaking ability.

2007 Season Summary

Appeared in all 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Interceptions – 8 [2, 1^st in NFC]

Most interceptions, game – 2 vs. Green Bay 12/16

Int. return yards – 125 [11]

Most int. return yards, game – 52 (on 1 int.) at Arizona 12/30

Int. TDs – 1 [7, tied with many others]

Sacks – 0

Fumble recoveries – 1

Forced fumbles – 2

Tackles – 66

Assists – 9

Scoring

TDs – 1

Points – 6

Rams went 3-13 to finish fourth in the NFC West.

Aftermath:

Atogwe followed up in 2008 by intercepting another five passes and forcing six fumbles, and was named team MVP. In ’09, after having started 60 straight games, he suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in the 12^th contest. Following one more year with St. Louis, Atogwe signed with the Washington Redskins for 2011 but suffered through an injury-plagued season in which he started eight games and accumulated three interceptions. Waived afterward, he signed with the Philadelphia Eagles for 2012 but was cut during the preseason, ending his career. Overall, over the course of seven years Atogwe intercepted 25 passes, 22 with the Rams, and returned one for a touchdown. He also was credited with 5.5 sacks and 374 tackles.

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Highlighted Years features players who were consensus first-team All-League* selections or league* or conference** leaders in the following statistical categories:

Rushing: Yards, TDs (min. 10)

Passing: Yards, Completion Pct., Yards per Attempt, TDs, Rating

Receiving: Catches, Yards, TDs (min. 10)

Scoring: TDs, Points, Field Goals (min. 5)

All-Purpose: Total Yards

Defense: Interceptions, Sacks

Kickoff Returns: Average

Punt Returns: Average

Punting: Average

*Leagues include NFL (1920 to date), AFL (1926), AFL (1936-37), AAFC (1946-49), AFL (1960-69), WFL (1974-75), USFL (1983-85)

**NFC/AFC since 1970