In a matter of hours, the speculation surrounding Oshiomogho Atogwe will move into more relative terms. He will either continue with the Rams, or become an unrestricted free agent.

The Rams have exclusive negotiating rights with Atogwe until Midnight Tuesday, holding the option of extending a tender offer at 110 percent of his 2009 salary ($6.3 million as a franchise player) to retain his rights or releasing him to become an unrestricted free agent. The Rams could still continue dialogue with Atogwe after the deadline, but will be open to competition from other teams.

While contracts talks have been ongoing — NFL Network insider Jason La Canfora reported the sides talked through the weekend — nothing tangible has surfaced yet that those talks have led to an agreement. Meanwhile, the chatter around the league has picked up on other options for Atogwe.

The Dolphins and Cowboys continue to be rumored landing spots for Atogwe. Throw in the Bears and Jaguars, to varying degrees. Mike Berardino of The South Florida Sun Sentinel blogged that he wouldn’t be surprised if the Dolphins were in on the bidding, echoing the sentiment of Omar Kelly last week.

The 49ers could be on the list, but Matt Barrows of The Sacramento Bee doesn’t see it as a fit. Ditto with the Eagles, as Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer says, per a source, the Eagles aren’t interested despite losing Marlin Jackson to a ruptured Achilles tendon.

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