O.J. Atogwe signed a five-year, $26 million contract with the Redskins last year, only to be released after one season. Then he spent three months as a free agent and didn’t generate a lot of interest before finally catching on with the Eagles this week. But Atogwe says that’s not an indication that he has declined.
“I understand if people want to think that,” Atogwe said, via CSNPhilly.com. “Everybody’s entitled to their opinions. I know what’s true. I know what’s real.”
Atogwe, who turns 31 on Saturday, says that not only has he not lost a step, but he’s actually capable of playing better than he has in his previous seven NFL seasons.
“Internally, I know I’m a better player than I was last year, a better player than I was in my time in St. Louis,” Atogwe said. “Truth proves itself once it’s seen. I don’t feel like I have anything to prove to anyone. My focus is always on doing what I know I’m capable of doing and everything else takes care of itself.”
So after a season in which Atogwe was worse than the Redskins expected, he says he’s ready for a season in which he plays better than anyone expects.