O.J.

Atogwe

According to Eagles beat writer Jeff McLane, McNabb “could be in a Rams uniform by the end of the day, possibly by the end of the week.” An NFL source says the deal is “not yet completed,” but McNabb has OK’d the trade if St. Louis extends his contract. He is not willing to play in Buffalo or Oakland.

Landry has been vague about his status before, but he said “of course” he will play this week. His return would be a big boost to the Redskins and IDP owners alike. Landry is a difference-maker in the secondary and allows O.J. Atogwe to return to his free safety spot. Reed Doughty would head back to the bench if Landry really does suit up.

Give Cam Newton a little boost. Look for LaRon Landry to play some free safety and backup Reed Doughty to step in at the strong safety spot. Atogwe has 25 tackles, one sack and one interception through five games as a Redskin this season.

Atogwe played 13 games for the Redskins last year, benched late in the season after battling hamstring, knee, and toe injuries. The Lions are set at free safety with Louis Delmas, and Amari Spievey held his own at strong safety last season.

It’s the first step in the Redskins regaining salary cap space after Monday’s staggering blow from the league office. Atogwe was a prime candidate for release because there were no guarantees left in his $3.4 million salary for 2012. The move will count as $0 in dead money against the cap. Benched late in another injury-plagued season, Atogwe’s league-wide stock has dropped precipitously over the past two years. He won’t get a major contract at age 31.

Atogwe said afterward he was impressed with the visit, but left without a contract. The Jets have also shown interest in Atogwe, though they’re currently tied up in Tim Tebow trade talks. Atogwe is the top safety left on the market.

Nearly bereft of quality safeties, the Vikes are desperate for an upgrade in the back end. One potential hang-up is that the team’s brass is “not he’s the same player” from his best years with the Rams. They’re correct.

Atogwe looks like a fallback option after the Reggie Nelson turned down the Jets’ offer Sunday night. A free safety throughout his seven-year career, Atogwe was released in a cap-related move by the Redskins last week. Turning 31 in June, Atogwe would still be an upgrade in New York on the likes of Eric Smith.

It’s Atogwe’s first visit in over a month, and just his second since being cut loose by the Redskins in March. Coming off an injury-plagued campaign where he was benched late in the season, Atogwe would provide veteran insurance in the Chiefs’ safety corps with both Kendrick Lewis (shoulder) and Eric Berry (torn ACL) coming off surgery.

Atogwe played behind DeJon Gomes down the stretch while battling a multitude of injuries. He’s owed $4 million in 2012, including salary and bonuses. Atogwe turns 31 in June, and it’s fair to wonder if his body has begun breaking down. Still showing playmaking ability despite his reduced rule, however (three INTs in 2011), we suspect Atogwe will return on a shorter leash.