ASHBURN, Va. - Free-agent safety O.J. Atogwe has signed a five-year, $26 million contract with the Washington Redskins, upgrading a vital position on a defense that ranked 31st in the NFL last season.
Blog: Atogwe on the way
The Redskins moved quickly to upgrade their defense by signing O.J. Atogwe, who figures to only help what Brian Baldinger calls "the worst tackling secondary" in the NFL. **More ...**
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Atogwe signed the deal Thursday, two weeks after he was cut by the St. Louis Rams following six seasons.
Kareem Moore started 11 games at free safety for the Redskins last season, but he was inconsistent and finished the season on injured reserve. He is recovering from right knee surgery.
The signing reunites Atogwe with Redskins defensive coordinator Jim Haslett. Atogwe spent three of his seasons in St. Louis playing for Haslett, who was the Rams' defensive coordinator and later interim head coach.
Atogwe has 22 career interceptions, including three last season.
Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press