I think we collectively hold our breath everytime we see him on the ground. I hope that he can finally get through a season injury free, but I admit I have my concerns.
Rams report: Saffold will start ahead of Robinson at LG/PD
- Thread starter RamBill
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I think we collectively hold our breath everytime we see him on the ground. I hope that he can finally get through a season injury free, but I admit I have my concerns.
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I don't want to jinx him but i'm telling you that every time Saffold plays on the left side he get injured. He probably won't last an hour at left guard.
Right guard is the only place he's been that he's had any luck staying healthy at all.
Right guard is the only place he's been that he's had any luck staying healthy at all.
fearsomefour
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“We made the decision for the opener that we're better off going with experience,'' Fisher said. “Doesn't necessarily mean (Robinson) won't play in the game...."
Translation, Saffold may not make it to the third possesions=.
Good point about Pace not playing until week 5.
Translation, Saffold may not make it to the third possesions=.
Good point about Pace not playing until week 5.
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You beat me to it..Pace didn't play until game 5 in his rookie season....The problem is overanalysis by media types, that have to feed the beast (24 hr news cycle)
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Rams notebook: Fisher confirms that Saffold will start over Robinson
• By Joe Lyons
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/foot...cle_c2f66cac-259e-5cc8-83d9-eeaa24b612f7.html
Following practice Wednesday at Rams Park, coach Jeff Fisher confirmed what many had suspected: that Rodger Saffold will start ahead of Greg Robinson, the No. 2 overall pick in May’s draft, when the Rams take on the Minnesota Vikings to open the season at noon Sunday at the Edward Jones Dome.
“We made the decision for the opener that we’re better off going with experience,’’ Fisher said. “Doesn’t necessarily mean (Robinson) won’t play in the game, but we’re going to go with guys who have a lot of snaps under their belts.’’
That means a veteran line of Jake Long at left tackle, Saffold at left guard, Scott Wells at center, Davin Joseph at right guard and Joe Barksdale at right tackle on Sunday.
“I feel good about the guys we’re going to play with,’’ Fisher said. “They’ve been practicing together now for a couple of weeks and so I have no concern there. And I feel good about our depth as well.’’
And Robinson?
“He’s doing a good job,’’ the coach said. “He’s playing guard, he’s playing tackle. He’s doing both in practice, he’s done it all through preseason and he’s gotten better each week.’’
When asked if learning two positions has hurt the 21-year-old Robinson, Fisher answered emphatically.
“Nothing hurts him at all. It does not hurt him at all,’’ Fisher said. “I was told that Orlando Pace, the first player taken in the draft, didn’t play until Week 5. There’s no issue here, (Robinson) is going to be an outstanding player.
“Our focus right now is to put the guys on the field we think can give us the best chance to win right now.’’
Pace, by the way, signed as a rookie with the Rams in 1997 after a three-week contract holdout.
The 6-foot-5 332-pound Robinson, who played in college at Auburn, started three of the Rams’ four preseason games.
KEENUM SETTLES IN
The newest Ram, quarterback Case Keenum, completed his second practice with the team Wednesday.
“It’s been kind of a whirlwind couple of days,’’ said Keenum, 26, who was claimed off waivers from the Houston Texans on Monday. “I’m excited to be here, to start learning the system and do my best to contribute to the team.
“Any system in this league is tough ... but I’m excited to learn some new stuff. It’s like speaking another language and I’m trying to learn it as fast as I can.’’
A Texas native who enjoyed a record-setting career at the University of Houston, Keenum signed with the Texans as an undrafted free agent and spent the 2012 season on Houston’s practice squad. Last year, he made eight starts, making his debut the week after the Rams blasted the Texans 38-13 in Houston. He ended up completing 54.2 percent of his passes for 1,760 yards with nine touchdowns and six interceptions.
He was waived over the weekend after Houston picked up Ryan Mallett in a trade with New England.
“It hasn’t really set in yet, but I’m just trying to stay at it, got the grind going,’’ he said. “I’m excited to be in a new place, to be outside of Texas, to get out of my comfort zone and to grow a little bit.’’
Listed at 6-foot-1 and 205 pounds, Keenum gets by on his smarts, leadership and quick release.
“Because of injury, Case got a lot of experience last year, started eight games,’’ Fisher said. “No, he didn’t win any of those games, but there were some really good things you saw out of a young player. We spent a lot of time evaluating those games and felt like he’d be a good option to come in and try to develop as a No. 3 or No. 2. We just wanted to get him in the mix; you want to get as many good players as you can.’’
SSM KICK CANCER
The Rams specialists — punter Johnny Hekker, kicker Greg Zuerlein and long snapper Jake McQuaide — are teaming with SSM Health Care Foundations in a new fund-raising program to support the needs of cancer patients in the region.
In addition, a new event to benefit SSM Kick Cancer — “RAM-OKE’’ — will be held Monday Sept. 22, at Four Seasons. Led by Hekker and linebacker Jo-Lonn Dunbar, the night will feature Rams players taking the microphone to belt out karaoke renditions of their favorite songs. Fans can support SSM Kick by making a pledge for every point kicked by the Rams in 2014 or buy tickets to RAM-OKE at SSMKickCancer.org.
RAM-BLINGS
The first injury report of the season included four players who were limited on Wednesday — T Jake Long (knee), DE William Hayes (chest), Jo-Lonn Dunbar (shoulder) and DE Eugene Sims (knee). Two other players, CB Trumaine Johnson (knee) and center Barrett Jones (back), did not participate and are still weeks away from playing. For the Vikings, LB Brandon Watts (knee), LB Michael Mauti (foot) and fullback Zach Line (ankle) did not participate and T Mike Harris (shoulder) was limited. CB Jabari Price (shoulder) and WR Rodney Smith (neck) were full participants.
• Austin Pettis switched to No. 12 from No. 18 in Wednesday’s practice as a show of support for teammate Stedman Bailey, who is serving a four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs.
• The Rams placed TE Brad Smelley on the practice squad in place of S Matt Daniels. Smelley was cut on Saturday after posting four catches for 46 yards in the preseason.
• Defensive lineman Ethan Westbrooks, the undrafted free agent from West Texas A&M who was among the team leaders with 12 tackles in the preseason, has switched to No. 93 from No. 62.
• By Joe Lyons
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/foot...cle_c2f66cac-259e-5cc8-83d9-eeaa24b612f7.html
Following practice Wednesday at Rams Park, coach Jeff Fisher confirmed what many had suspected: that Rodger Saffold will start ahead of Greg Robinson, the No. 2 overall pick in May’s draft, when the Rams take on the Minnesota Vikings to open the season at noon Sunday at the Edward Jones Dome.
“We made the decision for the opener that we’re better off going with experience,’’ Fisher said. “Doesn’t necessarily mean (Robinson) won’t play in the game, but we’re going to go with guys who have a lot of snaps under their belts.’’
That means a veteran line of Jake Long at left tackle, Saffold at left guard, Scott Wells at center, Davin Joseph at right guard and Joe Barksdale at right tackle on Sunday.
“I feel good about the guys we’re going to play with,’’ Fisher said. “They’ve been practicing together now for a couple of weeks and so I have no concern there. And I feel good about our depth as well.’’
And Robinson?
“He’s doing a good job,’’ the coach said. “He’s playing guard, he’s playing tackle. He’s doing both in practice, he’s done it all through preseason and he’s gotten better each week.’’
When asked if learning two positions has hurt the 21-year-old Robinson, Fisher answered emphatically.
“Nothing hurts him at all. It does not hurt him at all,’’ Fisher said. “I was told that Orlando Pace, the first player taken in the draft, didn’t play until Week 5. There’s no issue here, (Robinson) is going to be an outstanding player.
“Our focus right now is to put the guys on the field we think can give us the best chance to win right now.’’
Pace, by the way, signed as a rookie with the Rams in 1997 after a three-week contract holdout.
The 6-foot-5 332-pound Robinson, who played in college at Auburn, started three of the Rams’ four preseason games.
KEENUM SETTLES IN
The newest Ram, quarterback Case Keenum, completed his second practice with the team Wednesday.
“It’s been kind of a whirlwind couple of days,’’ said Keenum, 26, who was claimed off waivers from the Houston Texans on Monday. “I’m excited to be here, to start learning the system and do my best to contribute to the team.
“Any system in this league is tough ... but I’m excited to learn some new stuff. It’s like speaking another language and I’m trying to learn it as fast as I can.’’
A Texas native who enjoyed a record-setting career at the University of Houston, Keenum signed with the Texans as an undrafted free agent and spent the 2012 season on Houston’s practice squad. Last year, he made eight starts, making his debut the week after the Rams blasted the Texans 38-13 in Houston. He ended up completing 54.2 percent of his passes for 1,760 yards with nine touchdowns and six interceptions.
He was waived over the weekend after Houston picked up Ryan Mallett in a trade with New England.
“It hasn’t really set in yet, but I’m just trying to stay at it, got the grind going,’’ he said. “I’m excited to be in a new place, to be outside of Texas, to get out of my comfort zone and to grow a little bit.’’
Listed at 6-foot-1 and 205 pounds, Keenum gets by on his smarts, leadership and quick release.
“Because of injury, Case got a lot of experience last year, started eight games,’’ Fisher said. “No, he didn’t win any of those games, but there were some really good things you saw out of a young player. We spent a lot of time evaluating those games and felt like he’d be a good option to come in and try to develop as a No. 3 or No. 2. We just wanted to get him in the mix; you want to get as many good players as you can.’’
SSM KICK CANCER
The Rams specialists — punter Johnny Hekker, kicker Greg Zuerlein and long snapper Jake McQuaide — are teaming with SSM Health Care Foundations in a new fund-raising program to support the needs of cancer patients in the region.
In addition, a new event to benefit SSM Kick Cancer — “RAM-OKE’’ — will be held Monday Sept. 22, at Four Seasons. Led by Hekker and linebacker Jo-Lonn Dunbar, the night will feature Rams players taking the microphone to belt out karaoke renditions of their favorite songs. Fans can support SSM Kick by making a pledge for every point kicked by the Rams in 2014 or buy tickets to RAM-OKE at SSMKickCancer.org.
RAM-BLINGS
The first injury report of the season included four players who were limited on Wednesday — T Jake Long (knee), DE William Hayes (chest), Jo-Lonn Dunbar (shoulder) and DE Eugene Sims (knee). Two other players, CB Trumaine Johnson (knee) and center Barrett Jones (back), did not participate and are still weeks away from playing. For the Vikings, LB Brandon Watts (knee), LB Michael Mauti (foot) and fullback Zach Line (ankle) did not participate and T Mike Harris (shoulder) was limited. CB Jabari Price (shoulder) and WR Rodney Smith (neck) were full participants.
• Austin Pettis switched to No. 12 from No. 18 in Wednesday’s practice as a show of support for teammate Stedman Bailey, who is serving a four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs.
• The Rams placed TE Brad Smelley on the practice squad in place of S Matt Daniels. Smelley was cut on Saturday after posting four catches for 46 yards in the preseason.
• Defensive lineman Ethan Westbrooks, the undrafted free agent from West Texas A&M who was among the team leaders with 12 tackles in the preseason, has switched to No. 93 from No. 62.
Alan
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Saffold also says he prefers playing RG but I think the problem is that Joseph is a RG only and so the versatile Saffold had to slide over. You can't always get what you want but if you try some time, you find you get what you need.
My buddy Mick told me that once in a dream.
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Limey
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The last time I looked, teams could own the rights to players picked in the first round of the draft for four years. Four years! Who cares if he starts or not in week 1, year 1. As the Rammer said, it has been a while since anyone suggested that Quinn is a bust, but he didn't walk into the team. If Robinson isn't starting this time next year I might be questioning the pick, but not now.
shaunpinney
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Long, Saffold, Wells, Joseph, Barksdale - thats a mighty fine front 5 to start with - and I have to agree, experience is vital in critical games - you don't want your rookie in awe of the occasion at the start of the season, let him start the season slowly and fight to get playing time. Inter-team competition is a good thing
BonifayRam
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Guess that would be the plan rhinobean,but we know it will be not last long. I still recall that both Fisher & Boudreau ejected Saffold from his starting OLT post after the poor results in 2011 & 2012 seasons. In 2013 Saffold fared even worse @ ORT. We know that Fisher signed Saffold to start & play OG not OT.
We also know that Saffold just does not remain on the field for any period of time @ any OL post, however Saffold does play soooo much better @ the OG posts & has not sustained any major injury playing @ OG. I would think long & hard before I jerked my excellent powerful starting OLG & insert him @ Long's post for whatever reason. Its my belief that If you leave Saffold in the LEFT OG post he will D O M I N A T E !
If it were my call I would go another direction here myself & consider what Boudreau has done all spring & summer & go with Greg Robinson or Mike Person over taking a chance on Saffold @ OLT. Person fared much much better @ OLT than he did @ OLG post in pre season. It was Mike Person who got the majority of time @ OLT post in OTA's, training camp & pre season. In fact Saffold missed a pretty sizable amount of this early season camp too. So neither (Long or Saffold ) have got much time in @ OLT this season. Expecting Saffold to replace Long @ OLT post without issues is asking a lot.
LazyWinker
Pro Bowler
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Greg Robinson's career is doomed to be drawing comparisons to that Orland Pace fella. Orlando Pace wasn't even any good. On a serious note I'll be a little sad if he's not a 1st ballot Hall of Famer and Walter Jones is.
That will be interesting. Westbrooks seems like he's a man on a mission. I think he'll be part of that D-Line rotation eventually.
I don't think Saffold has experience at Center.
Didn't Saffold play the entire 2010 season at Left Tackle?
shovelpass
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He doesn't. It is a statement to how versatile Saffold is. Despite him being frail, he has played at 4 different spots since the beginning of last year.
