Raiders thought Saffold needed immediate surgery

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iced

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http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...ht-saffold-needed-immediate-shoulder-surgery/

During the 2013 preseason, tackle Rodger Saffolddislocated his shoulder. He missed one preseason game with the injury. But he returned and played.

He missed four regular-season games, but not because of the shoulder. A knee injury suffered in Week Two kept him sidelined for Week Three through Week Six.

Saffold played in the final 10 games of the season, starting the last seven. The shoulder wasn’t a problem. Indeed, the Rams wanted to re-sign him and, now that the Raiders have pulled the plug on his contract, the Rams will indeed do just that.

Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch explains that the Raiders decided Saffold needs “immediate” surgery on the shoulder. Saffold’s agent, Alan Herman, isn’t happy about that.

“Rodger told us that the Raiders’ doctor examined him and said, ‘You’re fine,’” Herman told Thomas. The next day, the Raiders said otherwise, with G.M. Reggie McKenzie apologizing, as Herman said, “profusely” for the decision not to proceed with a contract.

“I shared my displeasure in very strong terms,” Herman said. “[Co-agent] Jared [Fox] and I were sitting there in disbelief. We got out of the building and we got back to the hotel.”

Mike Silver of NFL Media reports that owner Mark Davis made the decision to move on from Saffold because of the shoulder. Whether that’s because Davis is merely being too cautious or decided that the Rams were paying too much, the Rams already have welcomed Saffold back with open arms — despite his supposedly bad shoulder.

Regardless of the reason, it’s a bad look for Davis and the Raiders. Either the doctors don’t realize that the shoulder problem wouldn’t have affected Saffold’s ability to play (the Seahawks signed defensive end Michael Bennett last year with a torn rotator cuff, and that worked out pretty well) or Davis is too concerned about money to take a calculated risk, even if McKenzie was recommending that the Raiders proceed with the deal.

As to McKenzie, Silver suggests he could be gone before the draft. If McKenzie survives until May, it’s hard to imagine he’ll still be around in January. At this point, McKenzie may not want to be.
 

moklerman

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As to McKenzie, Silver suggests he could be gone before the draft. If McKenzie survives until May, it’s hard to imagine he’ll still be around in January. At this point, McKenzie may not want to be.
I didn't know much about McKenzie when the Raiders signed him from Green Bay but I thought he was supposed to bring a little stability and credibility to that front office? Is he hamstrung by Davis or was he not that good to begin with?
 

moklerman

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With all of this Rams/Raiders/Saffold talk, I think Jared Veldheer going to the Cardinals is a bad thing for the Rams. I've been pretty impressed with Keim/Arians so far.
 

iced

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I didn't know much about McKenzie when the Raiders signed him from Green Bay but I thought he was supposed to bring a little stability and credibility to that front office? Is he hamstrung by Davis or was he not that good to begin with?

he was about to guarantee saffold 21 million ..... not a good endorsement imo lol
 

moklerman

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he was about to guarantee saffold 21 million ..... not a good endorsement imo lol
Perhaps, but we're talking about a franchise that was signing and paying guys like JeMarcus Russel and Darius Heyward-Bey. I guess we can safely say that the Saffold signing was all his but do we know who decided to let Veldheer walk? From what I've read, franchising him would have at least been an option, much less actually signing the guy to a contract. Maybe McKenzie saw some potential with Saffold and was willing to take a risk so that one move doesn't bother me too much. It's all the other stuff added to it that makes me wonder. I get the impression that regardless of how good or bad McKenzie may be, he won't be able to do anything with Davis in charge.
 

iced

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Perhaps, but we're talking about a franchise that was signing and paying guys like JeMarcus Russel and Darius Heyward-Bey. I guess we can safely say that the Saffold signing was all his but do we know who decided to let Veldheer walk? From what I've read, franchising him would have at least been an option, much less actually signing the guy to a contract. Maybe McKenzie saw some potential with Saffold and was willing to take a risk so that one move doesn't bother me too much. It's all the other stuff added to it that makes me wonder. I get the impression that regardless of how good or bad McKenzie may be, he won't be able to do anything with Davis in charge.

I'm sorry but paying Saffold $8 million per year, and guaranteeing $21.5 million (which is more than Left Tackles Albert and Monroe), to play guard, would have a been a bad,bad blow. Especially after letting Veldheer walk. I don't know why they let him go - or why they didn't franchise him.

He's already showing ineptness as a GM - I'd be surprised if he makes it more than a month.
 

moklerman

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I'm sorry but paying Saffold $8 million per year, and guaranteeing $21.5 million (which is more than Left Tackles Albert and Monroe), to play guard, would have a been a bad,bad blow. Especially after letting Veldheer walk. I don't know why they let him go - or why they didn't franchise him.

He's already showing ineptness as a GM - I'd be surprised if he makes it more than a month.
The last thing I read predicted he won't even make it to the draft. But I don't know what he's actually responsible for. If he orchestrated this scenario without Davis' approval, then he needs to go. But if he's trying to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear, then I think it's hard to lay all the blame on him. Seems like he's trying to rebuild the franchise without the authority to do so.

Was it confirmed that Saffold would have been playing G for the Raiders? Seems like a rumor/speculation. It doesn't make any sense from what I know. I thought Saffold wanted to be a LT because of the money and the Raiders let their LT walk. Doesn't really add up to Saffold playing G.
 

RamsJunkie

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did anybody laugh a little last night thinking"damn the man even got injured from signing is contract with the raiders"
 

iced

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did anybody laugh a little last night thinking"damn the man even got injured from signing is contract with the raiders"

lol yep... man must have one mean signature... not sure I want a guy that gets beat by a contract

The last thing I read predicted he won't even make it to the draft. But I don't know what he's actually responsible for. If he orchestrated this scenario without Davis' approval, then he needs to go. But if he's trying to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear, then I think it's hard to lay all the blame on him. Seems like he's trying to rebuild the franchise without the authority to do so.

Was it confirmed that Saffold would have been playing G for the Raiders? Seems like a rumor/speculation. It doesn't make any sense from what I know. I thought Saffold wanted to be a LT because of the money and the Raiders let their LT walk. Doesn't really add up to Saffold playing G.

yea it was confirmed - he was supposed to play LG with Menelik playing LT
 

Selassie I

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Davis read and listened to what was being said about their deal with Saffold... that's when the plug was pulled.

Clown Show.
 

iBruce

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Heh, pretty funny RamsJunkie. Funniest tweet I read last night was "man, Saffold is going to be bored during the new player orientation."
 

BonifayRam

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Davis apparently had concerns about the shoulder Saffold injured last preseason. Per Silver, Saffold "could have had surgery and been ready for training camp," but Davis wouldn't have it.

Thu, Aug 8, 2013 08:34 PM-Rams RT Rodger Saffold suffered a left shoulder injury in Thursday's preseason opener against the Browns and did not return.Saffold was hurt on the second offensive play of this first preseason game. Fisher said that Saffold injured his left shoulder on the second play of Thursday night's game against the Browns, but he was confident he'd be okay. It doesn't sound like there's a major injury, and Saffold should be fine.Rams RT Rodger Saffold underwent X-rays on his injured left shoulder, and they came back negative.

Fri, Aug 9, 2013 03:22 PM-Coach Jeff Fisher revealed RT Rodger Saffold dislocated his left shoulder in Thursday night's preseason opener, and is expected to be sidelined "a couple of preseason games."

It's a more serious injury than Saffold and Fisher hoped, but not one that should threaten Saffold's Week 1 availability. In a contract year, Saffold's 2014 market value is still likely to be affected because he's showed little durability as a pro. Joe Barksdale will fill in as St. Louis' starting right tackle. Barksdale held up reasonably well after replacing Saffold against the Browns

Tue, Aug 20, 2013 07:37 PM-Rams RT Rodger Saffold (dislocated shoulder) has been cleared for individual drills.

Wed, Aug 21, 2013 07:12:00 PM-Rams RT Rodger Saffold (dislocated shoulder) will be active for Saturday's regular season dress rehearsal against the Broncos.
 

moklerman

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"Word is" doesn't really equal "confirmed" to me but it isn't really a big deal.