Saffold signs with Tennessee

[Merlin]

#3. A total of 23 weeks for a rookie 3rd-day draft selection in his first season in the NFL. Getting large amounts of time with this offense, mostly @ center post but also @ LG post too for Saffold rest day in practice. I see 23 weeks as an official Ram OL'er involved in all practices being a very long time frame away from the early period of time when you said he was being manhandled.

Also he was practicing against a plus player in Suh down that stretch, one of the tougher matchups you'll get from a power/speed perspective on the interior. Rams coaches graded him well in that respect throughout the season also in the short stints he had in games in that backup role.

 

[Merlin]

I loved the pick coming out of college. But I review the Olineman carefully after every preseason and regular season game and Allen was getting demolished consistently.

The only time he looked outgunned was some early snaps in preseason. Which often happens when guys are still learning wtf they're doing and Center comes with a lot more in the upstairs processing dept.

I think you need to go back and look at some of his game film. You'll be surprised and might find there's a good reason the Rams are high on him.

 

[XXXIVwin]

The only time he looked outgunned was some early snaps in preseason. Which often happens when guys are still learning wtf they're doing and Center comes with a lot more in the upstairs processing dept.

I think you need to go back and look at some of his game film. You'll be surprised and might find there's a good reason the Rams are high on him.

Hey Merlin, I don’t mean to put you on the spot, but off the the top of your head, do you remember in which games BA looked half way decent?

I’m with TexasRam on this— every time I recall noticing BA, he looked overmatched. Would be happy to re-watch any tape of BA where he flashed potential.

 

[Merlin]

Check out the Bears game. That front was giving us problems but he and Boom went in for a handful of snaps and acquitted themselves well. I'd have to look to see which others, but I specifically remember them going in because we were getting manhandled.

 

[Merlin]

Some Kromer quotes from September:

BRIAN ALLEN

Did Allen have an advantage coming in given that he played in a pro-style offense?

“He did. Brian did play more of a pro-style offense, and he’s another player who’s smart, who was coached well in college by [Michigan State offensive line coach] Mark Staten and has the physical ability — being a state champion wrestler in Illinois. And he has that physical ability to almost grapple inside with these nose guards.”

How much of that has to do with his mentality? He seems like he has a real tenacity to his game.

“Well, yeah, he is tough — mentally tough. Everybody’s that plays in this sport is tough, physically. But mental toughness is what make the difference between great players and good players. And he’s mentally tough. And some of that stems from, I think, that one-on-one wrestling that you do growing up all the way through. That can’t hurt you.”

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I think the fans who have that "reach" stigma from the draft irt Allen are going to be disappointed this season.

 

[XXXIVwin]

I liked the BA draft pick, but was disappointed during preseason when he seemed to get engulfed by bigger defenders. BA just looked small (despite that huge a** he’s got)

As I say, I have ridiculously high faith in McSnead, so if they trust that BA can start, I do too. Biggest jump is often from rookie year to year two, so let’s see what a full offseason can do for BA.

 

[OntarioRam]

Thus far, the front office has proven they know exactly the right time to let go of their more senior players. I will trust them. But I do not consider Saffold the same as Johnson,Jenkins, and company. I really think he will be hard to replace, had at least 2+good years left in him, playing a position you absolutely cannot compromise on. We'll see what happens. I will hope for the best while nervously expecting the worst. Happy to eat some humble pie if I'm wrong.

 

[XXXIVwin]

had at least 2+good years left in him

I think you hit the nail on the head right there.

Rams would have been happy to sign Saffold to a 2 year deal.

But 4 yrs? Given his injury and surgery history, There’s a gamble whether his body will hold up that long...

 

[Kevin]

Reality is it would have been better if Whitworth retired, then Saffold could have been re-signed.

I would agree 100% with that if Saffold were 27 years old instead of almost 31 years old. I'm OK with losing a starting guard on the wrong side of 30 when we have a 2nd year lineman (hopefully) ready to go.

 

[PhillyRam]

I will say with one or maybe two more quality young OL, the Rams should be in good shape for the next 4 or 5 years.

 

[LesBaker]

Vinny is consistently level-headed. We should really get him over here for a chat or something. Maybe him and Kevin or someone from the Rams.

Vinny has grown on me, and he has IMO improved his coverage of the Rams. He's established a relationship with a lot of staffers and players it seems.

I disagree on Kevin, I'd way more prefer Snead for a Q and A.

His best friend and roommate, Brendan Gibbons, raped a girl. Lewan later threatened the girl that if she pressed charges, he'd rape her too (Gibbons and Lewan's own Michigan teammates reported them to the cops). I'm more forgiving of players for stupid mistakes than most, but there's a line. What Lewan did obliterates that line for me.

The university swept everything under the rug after kicking him out of school THREE years after the rape.

Two of the team mates of Lewan and Gibbons are the ones who reported what they did to the school. And they did nothing for all that time.

College athletics is a disgusting cesspool.

 

[Soul Surfer]

Noteboom is younger than Saffold.
:fighting:

At this point from what I've seen so far and the youth and potential;

Noteboom.
I trust these Coaches and Scouts that much.

 

[Soul Surfer]

Noteboom is younger than Saffold.
:fighting:

At this point from what I've seen so far and the youth and potential;

Noteboom.
I trust these Coaches and Scouts that much.

This is really just a Changing of the Guard.

 

[PhillyRam]

Noteboom.
I trust these Coaches and Scouts that much.

This is really just a Changing of the Guard.

.... and center

 

[RocknRam29]

View: https://twitter.com/RamsNFL/status/1106244594352611328

 

[tomas]

Second-year player Brian Allen should gain 10 pounds of muscle i.e.(313lbs) this year.

 

[RocknRam29]

View: https://twitter.com/RamsNFL/status/1106292786804871168

 

[Soul Surfer]

I think it says a lot that they brought back Aaron Neary as well.

They had every chance to righteously move on from him but decided to bring him back.

I think they look at him as a potential backup game-day active truthfully.

 

[Soul Surfer]

.... and center

I feel really good about Center;

Blythe
Allen
Neary

I think we have it covered.

I would almost rather they drafted a starting Right Guard at 31 and move Blythe over.

They'll probably go with a free agent that they feel comfortable with.

 

[tomas]

I feel really good about Center;

Blythe
Allen
Neary

It will be hard to replace John Sullivan's football vision- knowledge.