Windsor native Otogwe, Rams make peace

The St. Lous Rams re-signed free agent safety O.J. Atogwe on Wednesday.

Atogwe had been a free agent since June 1 when the Rams chose not to tender him at the one-year amount of almost $7 million.

Financial terms of the new deal weren’t immediately available, but the team said it is a multi-year deal. Atogwe said the contract, announced on his 29th birthday, was a “pretty good” present.

“It’s really important to stay here,” Atogwe said. “That was one of the things I was thinking about through this process is my purpose with the Rams.

“I have been here through a lot of the hard times and I believe that was to build the resolve within me, build the resolve within my teammates so when the promised land arrives, we’d be able to enjoy it and know how to be thankful for it.”

Coach Steve Spagnuolo had hinted earlier Wednesday that the team was “getting close” to bringing Atogwe back onto its roster.

“We are excited to have O.J. back in the fold,” Spagnuolo said after the deal was announced. “We were always hopeful for this result. We look forward to having his leadership, character and talent back on our defense.”

Atogwe, on whom the team placed the franchise tag in 2009, has started 60 games over the past four years for the Rams. His 39 combined forced fumbles and INTs in the past four seasons are the most in the NFL.