Ramblin' Fan » safety

Rams Agree With Mikell

Justin Stine — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 02:02:50 +0000

Though free agents can’t officially be signed until Friday, the Rams got started on free agency right away today. According to various reports, the team has agreed to a deal with former Eagles’ safety Quintin Mikell worth $28 million over four years. The Rams had a major hole to fill at safety after the loss of OJ Atogwe, and they wasted no time getting a Spags guy who knows the scheme and plays hard on every down.

I’ve talked about Mikell a few different times here, and I was pretty sure the Rams were going to be a player for him when free agency hit. I’m a little surprised it happened so quickly, but it’s a relief that one of our major holes has already been filled with a player of this caliber. I’m not saying he’s going to any Pro Bowls any time soon, but considering the crop of safeties available, I think the Rams hit a home run here.

The deal is bigger than I expected at $28 million over 4, but I have to believe that is backloaded because he is getting up there in age a bit. All in all, great way for the Rams to kick off the free agent period and let’s keep that momentum going.

Atogwe A Married Man

Justin Stine — Sun, 22 May 2011 05:40:59 +0000

Safety OJ Atogwe may not be a member of the St. Louis Rams anymore, but he will always be a favorite here at Ramblin’ Fan. Keeping that in mind, I would like to wish him congratulations on his wedding to Jill Singletary, daughter of NFL legend Mike Singletary. The two had their ceremony on Saturday in California, with Rams cornerback Ron Bartell serving as a groomsman. The story of how the two met is actually pretty interesting, as apparently their first encounter was when she was 16. Several years later, after Singletary became head coach of the 49ers, the two crossed paths again, and the rest is history.

If you want to check out their wedding website, I’ll provide the link here. You can see photos of the couple, read about how they met, and even sign the guestbook wishing them congrats and/or luck. I wish them nothing but the best, and I hope OJ has an excellent career in Washington. He is a class-act, and I very much wish he was still a part of our organization. As many good things as this regime has done over the last few years, letting Atogwe walk is and will be an outstanding blemish.

Again, congrats to the happy couple, and here’s hoping they have a boy someday, because that kid is going to have football in his genes. Here is the link to the website.

http://www.blessedlove5212011.wedsite.com/

Quintin Mikell Bound For STL?

Justin Stine — Mon, 09 May 2011 07:46:12 +0000

This is normally the time of the offseason when we could look at the potential free agents and try to decide who we would like to see the Rams pursue, but this lockout is really screwing things up. As it it, we are stuck with conjecture and innuendo about which players may or may not be available when this dispute finally ends. Speaking of conjecture, it looks like Eagles safety Quintin Mikell may be prepared to hit the open market. According to an interview with the Philadelphia Inquirer, Mikell does not believe he will be back with the Eagles next season. He apparently cleaned out his locker a few weeks ago without incident, and he has not been invited to work out with other Eagles players.

Considering the situation the Rams find themselves in at the safety position, I have to believe that Mikell will be on the team’s radar when free agency kicks in. He’s the kind of veteran player Spags likes, and his time in the NFC East means the Rams’ head coach is plenty familiar with him. Mikell would be an upgrade over anything we currently have on the roster, so this one seems like a slam dunk. Obviously, money will play into how much interest the team will have, but I have to think that Mikell will be on top of the team’s wish list when they are able to sign players. I like the fit, so let’s hope the organization feels the same way.