They grew up only a few miles apart, although in different countries. Ron Bartell is a native of Detroit; Oshiomogho Atogwe, whose parents emigrated from Nigeria in 1974, was raised in Windsor, Ontario, just across the Detroit River from the Motor City.

Their paths never crossed then, and they ultimately were separated by a continent. Bartell landed at an NCAA Division I-AA college on the East Coast, Howard. Atogwe headed west, for Stanford and the powerful Pacific 10 Conference.

They were to merge in the Midwest.

It happened in April 2005, when the Rams selected Bartell in the second round of the draft (No. 50 overall) and Atogwe in the third (No. 66). In the 5½ seasons since then, they've become vital contributors to a defense — and a team — that appears to be on the rise after some difficult times.

"We sit and talk about that every so often, just the road we've traveled," said Atogwe, the Rams' free safety and defensive captain. "It's been a challenging one but I'd say a purifying one, one that's made us better, made us stronger."

"It's been an interesting career for both of us," added Bartell, the team's top cornerback. "We've been through a lot here, and hopefully we'll be able to see this thing through when it gets turned around."

Perhaps that revival is under way. In the previous five seasons since Bartell and Atogwe arrived, the Rams won just 20 of 80 games, and their defense never ranked higher than 21st in the 32-team NFL.

The Rams head into Sunday's home game against Carolina with a 3-4 record — equaling their total wins of the previous two seasons — and a defensive unit that's 15th in the league overall, No. 12 in scoring defense.

Bartell and Atogwe deserve a sizable portion of the credit, according to defensive coordinator Ken Flajole.

"They're real important ... they've been productive players for us," Flajole said. "And we need their leadership. Our guys rally around them."

Still, things can be better, both players stressed.

"It's rewarding, but it's a process," Bartell said. "We're still not where we want to be. But just to see how we are right now, knowing that we still have room for improvement, is exciting."

finding their way

Bartell, 28, shuttled between cornerback and safety his first couple of seasons with the Rams, seeing action mostly as a backup. A starting role was always within his sights, however.

"I never doubted myself," Bartell said. "It was just a matter of getting consistent coaching. I went through a lot of coaching changes when I first got here. They were in a situation where they were trying to win now, and when you're younger, you don't realize that."

Counting interims Joe Vitt and Jim Haslett, Bartell and Atogwe worked for five head coaches in their first five seasons.

Bartell started 12 games in 2007, then moved into the lineup full-time in '08. By then, he was being used exclusively at cornerback. At 6 feet 1 and 205 pounds, Bartell is strong enough to press receivers at the line of scrimmage, and he's usually asked to cover the opposition's best pass-catcher.

"I'm impressed with his work ethic," rookie cornerback Jerome Murphy said. "I think of myself as a physical corner, and I like how he gets his hands on receivers and is able to reroute them."

Atogwe, 29, played sparingly as a rookie, but he, too, was confident in his ability to start in the NFL.

"I always believed that I could play," he said. "Sometimes you'll let situations or circumstances get the best of you and you may question yourself: 'I'm not playing; what does that mean? Am I not good enough?' ... I was just faithful to the belief that was in me."

Atogwe became a starter in 2006. He hadn't missed a game until a shoulder injury, which required surgery, knocked him out of the final four games last season.

Atogwe, 5-11 and 205, has developed into one of the league's top takeway artists, with 20 career interceptions and 20 forced fumbles.

"He's so detailed in his work, and he puts in the time that's needed to (excel) in this league," first-year safety Darian Stewart said. "I feel like he's a perfect example for a guy like myself to look up to."

growing together

Bartell and Atogwe, who have adjoining lockers, often are together outside of Rams Park, too. "We're very close. We hang out all the time," Atogwe said. "I was a groomsman in his wedding (last June), and he'll be a groomsman in my wedding (next May). He's one of my closest friends ... like a brother."

Bartell said Atogwe is "a man of faith, a great friend, a great teammate, someone I know if something's going on I can rely on. I love him as a brother, I love him as a teammate."

As they've grown as players, they've also matured as men.

"As a rookie, it's hard to truly understand the nature of the NFL, the game but also the business aspect, and just how it all plays a role and how much of a job this is, an occupation more than it is just a sport," Atogwe said. "It takes some time to learn that, but through the years I've been able to learn it and develop as a player and as a person."

"We've grown up together in this league," Bartell said. "To be able to play with somebody that you're close to off the field for six years, it's been a pleasure."

And with the Rams becoming relevant again, the enjoyment is enhanced.

"Every win is a lot more gratifying; there have been too few wins for both of us since we've been here," Bartell said. "I think we look at it a lot differently than a lot of guys in this locker room. We take the losses a lot more personal, and we enjoy the wins a lot more, too. Because we know how hard it is to win in this league."

Now, if Atogwe could just pass along his ball-hawking skills to Bartell, who has muffed three interceptions this year.

With Bartell within earshot, Atogwe cracked, "That might be the only impossibility that exists. I can say he's working on it, but this is one of those 50- to 60-year operations for him to actually get it."

Feigning indignation, Bartell barked, "Shut up, O.J., just shut up."

Like brothers.