Re-sign Saffold?

[Ram65]

I'm not assuming Saffold will get a hugh offer in free agency. For all the reasons the "don't resign Saffold side" gives are reasons other teams aren't going to break the bank on Roger even if he keeps playing at a high level. Hard to believe that his current average salary is sixth highest at LG. He currently is paid just under 8 Million for this year while his yearly average was 6.344 Million over the length of his contract.

https://overthecap.com/position/left-guard/

Keep in mind that teams are now investing their free agent money on second contracts when players are still in their prime. These high paying contracts that teams are willing to pay because of high production with less injury risk. You don't see a high demand (big money/long term) going to 31 year old offensive guards any more especially with injury history He is ranked #15 grade wise by PPF for offensive lineman in 2017.

https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/pro-top-25-offensive-linemen-of-the-2017-nfl-season

The Rams are drafting and developing young offensive lineman. I imagine they are working on all the possibilities as far as the offensive line decisions go. Saffold market value will have a big influence on what the Rams do. Another big consideration is the overall cap space available with the pending big contracts. Saffold might be getting two year offers as far as guarantees are concerned. Looking at the current pay for LOG I think it could be worth the risk of two year deal between 5-8 Million per year. There will be risk for not signing him as we don't know what the young guys will do.

 

[Corbin]

Wasn't signing INJURED old guys who needed surgery before ever playing down for us the guys that we signed that put us in CAP HELL? Saffold is our guy, not some old veteran hoping to pass our physical administered by our Docs. In the Spags/ Fisher years it always felt like buying a 'decent' used car from a small dealership, and finding out all the tires were recaps, pealing off after a week of driving and grinding sounds masked with the judicious use of a grease gun...

Yes it was the guys which is why I'm not willing to start that trend all over again. I have no need for a walking glass man regardless if he put together a good year without going down on injury as per usual.

 

[Corbin]

I call

...How about Sully?...Hell give this guy a chance. Saffold still has years, and will continue to learn from Whitworth. Then become that guy to show these other the guys the rope.

seriously Sully? He's around one season and all of a sudden he's an example of being an older guy playing at a high level? Ummm nooo. I'll wait for time to be the judge to see if an injury prone player works out. As per history the answer to that is usually no.

I will give that he played very well last year. Blythe did have to pick up his slack several times though.

 

[Rams43]

Well, I must say that I’m conflicted about extending Saffold.

And it doesn’t help that proponents on both sides have made very persuasive arguments. Lol.

Here’s what I think I think...

I want to continue to see holes for Gurley and a Goff with time in the pocket.
The strongest possible OL is essential.
Whit was showing signs of slippage late last season.

So, if Saffold can be extended for $8 million per, or less, in his 3rd contract then I say do it. Yeah, I think Saffold at $8 million is a bargain.

His health post surgeries has not been an issue.
His age is not a concern for a 3 year extension.
He’s a great teammate and mentor with tons of experience. Those intangibles are valuable.

It’s gonna be tough enough if we have to replace Hav and/or JB. I would prefer to keep that left side as solid as possible in a potential transition year on the right side.

If Saffold prices himself out of our affordability range, then so be it. Kromer will just have to work a little more of his magic. He’s done it before and many are high on Demby, so we’ll see.

As an aside, I’m anticipating a LOT taken with our 1st next year and Noteboom becoming our starting RT. Those 2 moves will solve our Hav and Whit question marks. Of course, if Noteboom really impresses as a potential LOT, then that changes everything. That would almost be too good to be true, huh?

 

[jrry32]

Over the past decade, only 15 OGs have started about a season's worth or more of games from their age-33 season on. Here's the list:
http://pfref.com/tiny/Lsxgu
(The list includes 16 because Whitworth is on it, but while he's played OG on occasion, he's a LT, as we all know)

If you look at the OGs on the list, they tend to be guys who either didn't become full-time starters until later in their careers or had very limited injury histories during their 20s.

This is significant because it should indicate to you how rare it is for an OG to make it as a starter to his mid-30s. When Saffold's contract ends after this season, he'll be entering his age-31 season. If you're expecting us to get more than two seasons out of Saffold on the next contract, I don't think you're being realistic. And there's a fair chance that his play starts to decline and/or his durability issues return. The unfortunate reality is that OGs don't age well. That position takes a major toll on your body.

 

[Corbin]

As I said earlier, look at Whitworth's career. He's remained remarkably healthy. How many of the OLs who were still decent or better starters in their mid 30s had the injury history that Saffold does? Hell, look at how quickly Orlando Pace broke down after 30 years old despite him staying quite healthy during his 20s.

 

[Loyal]

Yes it was the guys which is why I'm not willing to start that trend all over again. I have no need for a walking glass man regardless if he put together a good year without going down on injury as per usual.

*more than two years, bro...He's no longer the "glass man"

 

[Corbin]

*more than two years, bro...He's no longer the "glass man"

Don’t hold your breath on that man! Lol
1/2 his 8 season less than starting all the games. To our benefit I hope he holds up these last 2 years.

 

[Loyal]

Don’t hold your breath on that man! Lol
1/2 his 8 season less than starting all the games. To our benefit I hope he holds up these last 2 years.

So if he holds up for those two years, along with previous two years healthy performance, drop some cash on Rodger "the Iron Man," Saffold?:rockon:

 

[BonifayRam]

I see many elements being involved in the situation in resigning Rodger Saffold.

#1-Andrew Whitworth our starting well aged well seasoned starting LT status after this upcoming season. We he retire, or will he be a victim of a serious injury or will he return for one more season.

#2-Top 2018 draft selection OL'er Joe Noteboom's improvement either @ OT or OG posts. Is Noteboom a strong future starting LT or LG?

#3- Will other new rookie OL'ers Brian Allen, Jamil Demby or Jeremiah Kolone display the ability & skills in their rookie season to be strong prospective candidates to start @ either OG posts going into their second seasons.

And of course the main element will be the amount of available cap funds that could be utilized to bring RS back in 2019.

Of the many elements going into this major decision the cap funds situation is one element that might be answered now. I consider it highly Unlikely that RS will be resigned. Do we need RS back in our starting lineup??? No question on that. Yes!

Some other smaller elements are if starting RG Jamon Brown can be re-signed & bring his 4 yrs of experience over to the left side if Whitworth does not return in 2019 to pair up with 2nd yr new starting LT Noteboom. I doubt that Kromer would consider pairing up two 2nd season OL'ers together on that blind side (left side of Goff). Thus the resigning of our most seasoned OG JB is a priority as is Rob Havenstein @ starting RT.

Mentioning Rob Havenstien brings up the lack of OT depth if we were to loose both our starting OT's in 2019. Now that might raise the priority of resigning RS back in order to plug him in @ one of the starting OT posts until the Rams can season up another not presently known now OT IF rookie Noteboom bombs out this season @ OT.

So many unknown variables on this subject that will unfold during this 2018 season.....stand bye it should be one very interesting season that we have in front of us.I'll conclude here saying that IMO nothing is more important than making it priority #1 to protect our franchised QB naturally that makes the OL top of my list as a Ram fan & #1 goal.

 

[Merlin]

Don’t hold your breath on that man! Lol
1/2 his 8 season less than starting all the games. To our benefit I hope he holds up these last 2 years.

 

[Soul Surfer]

We know you meant *Jacob* Bell, bubba.

 

[Loyal]

You are slowing DOWN, people We only have 6 pages in the book with 44 pages to go!

 

[MauiRam]

And JJ Watt played in every game until he turned 28 and signed a big contract. Big guys break down, try to deny it all you want but it's a simple fact of the NFL.

Good Lord! Is it too late to dump Whitworth? He's 36 and climbing. Sullivan is going to be 33 next week! Nevermind Saffold ..

 

[TSFH Fan]

You are slowing DOWN, people We only have 6 pages in the book with 44 pages to go!

So I'll try this:

So, on PFF's 2017 top 25 O-linemen list, Saffold is the highest rated linemen on Spotrac's list of 2019 O-line Free Agents (except for Daryl Williams and his dislocated knee cap and torn MCL) -- yeah, I'm thinking with another good season, there's a chance Saffold could be seen as the "best" olinemen in the 2019 FA class.

Until this thread, I really didn't care who Andrew Norwell was. This year he got 5y / 66.5M / 30M guaranteed. He was an All Pro and write ups say he was absolute stud in pass protection In run blocking, Norwell was graded at 83.4 by PFF while Saffold graded out at 87.9. I don't think it would be a total shock for Saffold's agent to seek Norwell money.

We all know that timing can mean more than ability when comparing player salaries and Walter has those Millen-kielbasa ratings for a reason. Despite his age and injury history, Saffold could be poised for a monster deal . . . from a team other than the Rams. I'd like to thank and excuse Rodger from further service past 2018.

But even if Saffold would sign for a cheaper deal, I'm not for keeping him. Talking broadly, we got a player with an injury plagued career, with a year of healthy but not spectacular play, capped with a great year in 2017 where the 29 year old showed health and new found physicality/power and mobility. Coincidentally the player went into his 29 year old season knowing that if he didn't play big and stay healthy, he was likely getting cut and facing the end to his pro career -- from the team side, going into that season the team had a financial incentive to cut after the season (cap savings) and, up to that point, not a real reason to keep. I mean if this was baseball and a 29 year old suddenly showed health, power and mobility, in a make-or-break year, people would be whispering stuff. Sure, people might want to talk of Saffold's off-season dedication, except it seems his video game team is his off-season dedication. Yes, yes, it's the coaching, right? Not buying it.

Just not a Saffold lover and it has absolutely nothing to do with his defection to the Traiders.

 

[Loyal]

So I'll try this:

So, on PFF's 2017 top 25 O-linemen list, Saffold is the highest rated linemen on Spotrac's list of 2019 O-line Free Agents (except for Daryl Williams and his dislocated knee cap and torn MCL) -- yeah, I'm thinking with another good season, there's a chance Saffold could be seen as the "best" olinemen in the 2019 FA class.

Until this thread, I really didn't care who Andrew Norwell was. This year he got 5y / 66.5M / 30M guaranteed. He was an All Pro and write ups say he was absolute stud in pass protection In run blocking, Norwell was graded at 83.4 by PFF while Saffold graded out at 87.9. I don't think it would be a total shock for Saffold's agent to seek Norwell money.

We all know that timing can mean more than ability when comparing player salaries and Walter has those Millen-kielbasa ratings for a reason. Despite his age and injury history, Saffold could be poised for a monster deal . . . from a team other than the Rams. I'd like to thank and excuse Rodger from further service past 2018.

But even if Saffold would sign for a cheaper deal, I'm not for keeping him. Talking broadly, we got a player with an injury plagued career, with a year of healthy but not spectacular play, capped with a great year in 2017 where the 29 year old showed health and new found physicality/power and mobility. Coincidentally the player went into his 29 year old season knowing that if he didn't play big and stay healthy, he was likely getting cut and facing the end to his pro career -- from the team side, going into that season the team had a financial incentive to cut after the season (cap savings) and, up to that point, not a real reason to keep. I mean if this was baseball and a 29 year old suddenly showed health, power and mobility, in a make-or-break year, people would be whispering stuff. Sure, people might want to talk of Saffold's off-season dedication, except it seems his video game team is his off-season dedication. Yes, yes, it's the coaching, right? Not buying it.

Just not a Saffold lover and it has absolutely nothing to do with his defection to the Traiders.

All I'll say is that Rodger Saffold's performance in 2016 next to Greg "the Bust" Robinson and Tim Barnes at Center, is hard to judge. One was a turnstyle, penalty machine and the other was a smallish/try hard guy at Center. In 2017 with Whitworth to the left and Sullivan at Center, he finally wasn't playing on an island for really the first time in his career. He did great which you admit (except that you infer PED enhanced performance, with no proof).....I don't get why you don't like him. The guy was thrust in a LT role in the first couple of years and did a good job, but I think the extension of those arms @LT did his shoulders no good (both shoulders repaired). He has two years of healthy play at Guard. He may very well get a big deal, and if he has 4 total years of healthy play (mostly), he d@mn well deserves it.

 

[OldSchool]

Good Lord! Is it too late to dump Whitworth? He's 36 and climbing. Sullivan is going to be 33 next week! Nevermind Saffold ..

hahaha Just love it! Come in after a conversation, take one post out of a string and run with it. First off we've all said and pretty much acknowledge that Whitworth is a freak and a rarity. I can only think of him and Joe Thomas in recent memory that have been that healthy as an OLineman. Secondly do you think Saffold will take the same contract as Sullivan? Yeah didn't think so but damn I think we'd all take that!

 

[bubbaramfan]

Lets not forget Saffold is fully capable of playing LT. He's had a lot of snaps there with good success. It would not surprise me some GM offers Saffold LT and the big contract that goes with it.

 

[Soul Surfer]

Good Lord! Is it too late to dump Whitworth? He's 36 and climbing. Sullivan is going to be 33 next week! Nevermind Saffold ..

Offensive lineman in particular played into their mid and late 30s fairly commonly until just recently.

I don't buy that are offensive lineman is breaking down until I see him breaking down.