Longest-tenured Ram Rodger Saffold on upcoming free agency

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BonifayRam

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Longest-tenured Ram Rodger Saffold on upcoming free agency: “I don’t think it’s any surprise that I want to be back.”
https://www.therams.com/news/longes...on-upcoming-free-agency-i-don-t-think-it-s-an
by Clarence Dennis

The Rams offensive line perhaps faces the most uncertainty of any position group entering the offseason as to who will or will not return for a 2019 run at returning to the Super Bowl.

Left guard Rodger Saffold joins aging offensive linemen in left tackle Andrew Whitworth and center John Sullivan in the upcoming uncertainty as he faces free agency after nine seasons with the club.

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Saffold also joined Whitworth in picking up his first postseason win against the Cowboys in the Divisional round — a welcomed change after an admirable career with wins few and far between since he was drafted No. 33 overall in the 2010 by the Rams. After two winning seasons under head coach Sean McVay protecting quarterback Jared Goff, Saffold sees himself a part of the club once again in 2019.

“Of course,” Saffold said when asked if he hope to return to his spot on the line of scrimmage in L.A. “I’ve said that all throughout the year, so I don’t think it’s any surprise that I want to be back. At the end of the day though I need to make sure it’s something fair for me, something I can not take advantage of, but something that I can feel that I was treated fairly.”

Saffold isn’t the only one aware of the value he adds to the league’s No. 2 offense in 2018.

"Yeah, I would love to have them both back,” Goff said of the left half of his offensive line. “They're both tremendous players. Guys that have been huge for us up front, leadership every day in meetings, everything, they've been so big for us.”


“[R]odger, he’s got a lot of great football in front of him I think, so hopefully it’s here with us playing for the Rams,” third-year right guard Austin Blythe said this week. “I’d like to have him back because I look up to how he plays, how he carries himself, so hopefully all five of us are back.”


The longest-tenured Ram, Saffold’s played in 114 games in the horns and his most-recent 16 regular-season outings were some of his best. Saffold’s offensive line took home the Built Ford Tough Offensive Line of the Year award at 2019 NFL Honors after leading the way in the Divisional round’s multi-back, 238-yard rushing attack and keeping Goff mostly upright in the NFC title game.

But a day after taking home the award for the league’s top offensive line, Saffold, Whitworth, Blythe and Co. were beat by the Patriots defense, Goff took 12 quarterback hits and four sacks on 42 dropbacks, and the Rams offense put up just three points — a performance that is tough to go out on.

“I’m sure that there will be conversations in the near future, but at the end of the day, definitely not how I wanted to end my possible last game with this team,” Saffold said on Tuesday.

But whether game No. 115 is with the Rams or elsewhere, Saffold doesn’t see Super Bowl LIII’s outcome throwing the Rams off course.

“It hurts right now, but these guys are resilient, these guys show great poise, and I expect everyone to come back and have another victorious season whether it’s with me or without.”
 

BonifayRam

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Free agent targets the Vikings should consider
https://247sports.com/nfl/minnesota-vikings/ContentGallery/Vikings-free-agent-targets-128171495/#128171495_1
ByAnthony Broome


Here is a look at 15 players set to be free agents that should be at or near the top of the Vikings' board heading into a busy and important offseason for the future of the organization.
# 1 of 16
Rodger Saffold, G
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At 31 years old by the time the 2019 season rolls around, Saffold is on the older side and that could scare some Vikings fans, as the recent history of 30-somethings the team has signed as band-aids has not gone all that well. He was the fifth-ranked guard in Pro Football Focus' 2017 rankings and played well once again this year, so he is proven and would have a bit of a higher ceiling than other recent veteran offensive line additions.
 

BonifayRam

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Broncos identify attractive free-agent options to upgrade O-line
https://247sports.com/nfl/denver-br...sive-line-Matt-Paradis-128666247/#128666247_9

ByBob Morris
Rodger Safforld, Los Angeles Rams, LG
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The second overall pick of the 2010 NFL Draft, Rodger Saffold started his career at left tackle. He started 35 games on the left side his first three seasons, then moved around on the line in his fourth NFL season.
He almost joined the Raiders in 2014, but a supposed failed physical led to him returning to the Rams on a five-year contract. Since that, Saffold has been a steady presence on the line, mostly starting at left guard, but with a few starts at right guard and left tackle.

Saffold is coming off one of his best seasons as a pro — though he did draw four false start penalties, he has mostly excelled in run blocking and pass protection and has just eight holding penalties in nine seasons.

That makes him an intriguing player in free agency, but it does come with a caveat: He could be seeking a big payday. He does represent an upgrade over Leary, but the question remains — how much are you willing to pay him?
 

PhillyRam

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Did not realize he was the 2nd overall pick... Lol!!!

I guess he meant 2nd round pick.
 

Loyal

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Did not realize he was the 2nd overall pick... Lol!!!

I guess he meant 2nd round pick.
I believe he was the first guy taken in the 2nd round by the Rams (33rd overall).
 

CGI_Ram

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Rodger is a very good player and deserves to have suitors.

That said... now that the Rams are a top team in the league, other teams will be looking closer at our guys.

Usually slightly over valued, or at least that what we tend to see.
 

…..

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He’ll leave money on the table if he stays. Rams probably can’t offer what some other teams can. But that could change based on other roster moves.

I just don’t want to see Goff get beat up and shaken. It would be the worst thing that could happen if we don’t surround him with the best line we can.
 

Merlin

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Should be no prob with 2 guys of 5 being paid on a playoff caliber OL. So the Rams will almost surely attempt to bring Saff back and he and Havenstein will be those two.

Prob there is Big Whit needs to take a club friendly extension that reduces his $15M cap hit. Which I hope is something he will consider. At this point I believe that will happen.

IMO Sully will move on and Allen will win the job and play great ball at center for us even if they bring in competition.
 

Karate61

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Well, those quotes from Saffold don't seem to indicate he's leaning to a hometown discount. Felt a bit concerning as I read it. I'm hoping he stays, but...
 

dang

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I predict Whit restructures a 2 year contract giving himself a little more $$ (say 2 years $25m) if he fulfills and the Rams a little cap relief. This allows the Rams to offer Saffold 3 years $27m. Whit knows how close he and the Rams were to a Super Bowl win and it will motivate him to give it another try.
 

OnceARam

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I predict Whit restructures a 2 year contract giving himself a little more $$ (say 2 years $25m) if he fulfills and the Rams a little cap relief. This allows the Rams to offer Saffold 3 years $27m. Whit knows how close he and the Rams were to a Super Bowl win and it will motivate him to give it another try.

Goff's contract is coming up...
 

SteveBrown

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Goff needs the Safferizer!
Really anything we can do for 2 big years....even at 10 mill each.
 

OldSchool

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Well, those quotes from Saffold don't seem to indicate he's leaning to a hometown discount. Felt a bit concerning as I read it. I'm hoping he stays, but...
No surprise at all really. His agent likely pointed out to him that he may be willing to do that but to keep saying it just drives that home town discount lower every time.
 

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Being in your comfort zone is nice. So is winning. Saffold would have both if he re-signs with the Rams. But at the end of day these guys consider their future before the team. If someone makes Saffold a better offer than the Rams can afford I gotta think he'll take it.
 

Merlin

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Well for comparison purposes Norwell signed a $13.3M on the open market, and Martin is the highest paid interior OL at $14M. Saff is over 30 but among the best in the game at his position (better than Norwell not as good as Martin IMO), so he's going to be in that range if he hits the market.

What would a "hometown discount" be for Saff? Uh, I don't know but I'd guess he's going to cost us around $13M per year and the discount will be a shorter term deal than what he'd get on the market (i.e. with less guaranteed money).
 

BonifayRam

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Well for comparison purposes Norwell signed a $13.3M on the open market, and Martin is the highest paid interior OL at $14M. Saff is over 30 but among the best in the game at his position (better than Norwell not as good as Martin IMO), so he's going to be in that range if he hits the market.

What would a "hometown discount" be for Saff? Uh, I don't know but I'd guess he's going to cost us around $13M per year and the discount will be a shorter term deal than what he'd get on the market (i.e. with less guaranteed money).
This below sports article listed UFA Rodger Saffold as the highest rated OG.


The Top-50 NFL Free Agents for 2019
ByJosh Edwards 2/12/2019

https://247sports.com/nfl/cleveland...e/2019-NFL-Free-Agents-128879548/#128879548_1

NFL teams spend hundreds of millions of dollars each year in free agency. The hope is to reach the pinnacle of the sport by winning a Super Bowl - something the New England Patriots have now done six times since 2000. There are some teams that may only be a few pieces away from competing against the defending Super Bowl champions and those pieces may be found in free agency. With the league calendar year set to turn over on Mar. 13, 247Sports takes a look at some of the most coveted free agents to be.The group is loaded with defense, specifically pass rushers.


Rodger Saffold, OG, Los Angeles Rams
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(Photo: Mark J. Rebilas, USA TODAY Sports)
"The Ohio native was a second round choice in the 2010 NFL Draft. He has started 111 of the 114 games played in his career. Saffold is still a productive interior offensive lineman at the age of 30. He has missed just two games over the past three seasons. The Indiana product was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team and was named a second team All Pro in 2017," Josh Edwards of 247Sports said.

 

LARAMSinFeb.

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I think OL is the most difficult position group to acquire. Dominant OL gives a team a lot of stability and advantages. Hope we find a way to hold onto Saff.
 

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We need to retain him if possible... I believe in Snead and Co. They've proven their worth in every imaginable way.

If he walks, id be aggravated, but if it saves money that we need on defense, then so be it. He's been a great Ram in spite of the injuries he's battled along the way. Drafted to protect Bradford, only to become a dominate guard... Ill take it time after time.