Action figure: Atogwe is bright spot in Rams' porous defense

ST. LOUIS — The top of Oshiomogho Atogwe's locker stall is crammed with action figures, all of the muscle-bound Incredible Hulk. There are more at home, too, between 2,000 and 3,000 more in his collection.

The St. Louis Rams' ball-hawking strong safety has been following the big green superhero in the comics, and lately the movies, since he was 8.

"So I just put a bunch of them in my locker," he said. "It's kind of synonymous with the way I play the game, kind of Dr. Jeckyl and Mr. Hyde.

"Every day Dr. Jeckyl is just happy-go-lucky and Mr. Hyde, when you get on the field and put the pads on, it's time to let loose and go play."

The Rams' defense hasn't made a lot of big plays this season, often failing to hold the fort in games that have been blowouts by halftime. The fourth-year player with the mouthful for a first name — you can also call him O.J. — is responsible for a large number of the big plays they've had.

Atogwe leads the Rams (2-10) with four interceptions and has seven forced fumbles — half of the team total. He's also recovered two fumbles and is second on the team with 88 tackles.

Last year, he led the NFC with eight interceptions, and he has 16 for his career. Atogwe also forced five fumbles in 2006.

"The guy's a ball magnet," Rams coach Jim Haslett said. "He does a great job of punching the balls out, and he's got great hands."

Atogwe, a third-round draft pick in 2005 out of Stanford, said it's the result of hard work. On Tuesdays, the players' regular day off, he often can be found at Rams Park catching hundreds of balls off a machine. A Rams aide shoots the balls at every conceivable angle.

"I think catching the ball, more so than having good hands, is being relaxed and comfortable in the moment the ball is coming to you," Atogwe said. "That's what you're trying to create, a situation when you're in the game and the ball's coming toward you, you don't freeze up.

"You're not always going to catch it, but that's what you work towards, and you get so few opportunities you want to make them count."

Though not quite the hardest hitter at his position in the NFL, Atogwe doesn't mind mixing it up either. He often played nearer the line in last week's 16-12 loss to the Dolphins.

"It's a different world down there, and they both bring different excitement," Atogwe said. "The box is a little bit nastier, a little rougher, and you get to take out a little more aggression in there."

Atogwe is one of few Rams players, and probably the only position player, hopeful of getting recognition when Pro Bowl voting is announced this month. Punter Donnie Jones is also having a solid season.

"You work hard and you practice hard, and it's an honor to be recognized as one of the better players in the NFL," Atogwe said. "I definitely strive for that and put my efforts toward that, so making it would be a great achievement."