A number of Redskins' analysts and fans have questioned the signing due to the fact that Atogwe is 29 years old and that Mike Shanahan has declared a youth movement for the team. The fact is, if it was possible to sign 24 year old stars at every position, every NFL team would do it. Atogwe is only 29 years old and while a lot of RB's do not make it past 30 years old in the league anymore, many players at other positions do play well into their thirties.
The team is moving in the right direction, at least in some respects. The roster is slowly getting younger with the cuts of Clinton Portis, Derrick Dockery, and Andre Carter. That trend will continue once the lockout is over. Other older players such as Philip Daniels and Mike Sellers may also very well be two of the next players to be released.
As a player, Atogwe brings one specific dynamic to the team that the Redskins have not had in a long time...Turnovers. The man makes interceptions and causes fumbles at an extremely high rate compared to most safeties in the NFL. And, he had his best seasons under Defensive Coordinator Jim Haslett while he was in St. Louis.
With all of the uncertainty the Redskins have at Quarterback, Wide Receiver and the Offensive Line, the Redskins need turnovers. Hopefully, the combination of Atogwe, LeRon Landry, and Deangelo Hall in the secondary, there will be plenty of interception opportunities in 2011.
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JacksGhost
Washington Redskins Hog Blog
