Re-sign Saffold?

[Loyal]

I believe that Saffold's contract comes up after this year or next. We all remember his injury riddled first couple years with the team. He was rejected by the Raiders after a physical in 2014, which really seemed like buyers remorse to me. We signed him for like 11 million less than the Raiders deal, and I am quite sure the Rams have been extremely happy with his performance. The Rams had no worries about him in the second deal, because they were assured, if memory serves, that both shoulders were repaired and no residual issues should occur.
And none occurred according to my old man's memory. He is (or will be soon) 30 years old, which isn't that old for an Olineman. I think he is VERY valuable to the teams next 4 years, and therefore I'd give him a good deal to stay. How about you guys?

 

[VegasRam]

Buy buy buy - I love the guy.
He can fill in anywhere, good at run and pass pro, has been on both sides of the W/L coin, and is a good mentor.
I’m not even sure the Raider thing was about money, could be, but could also have been tired of losing. I’d give him 5 years at $35-$40, with $20 guaranteed.

 

[Dodgersrf]

Yes. Saffold should be a priority

 

[HellRam]

Havenstien and Brown are in contract years as well. Plus this could be big Whitts last year. I mentioned in the Donald thread that Snead will have his hands full these next couple off-seasons. Big year for the Rams this season.

 

[jrry32]

Let Saffold walk. He's 30 years old with a long injury history. Try to keep Hav and Jamon.

 

[Loyal]

Havenstien and Brown are in contract years as well. Plus this could be big Whitts last year. I mentioned in the Donald thread that Snead will have his hands full these next couple off-seasons. Big year for the Rams this season.

I like Haventsein a little, but I would place Saffold as the most valuable OL after Whit...Sully is a very close third, but Saffold is very versatile guy...

 

[OldSchool]

Unless he's going to sign for about half what he is currently signed for pass. It's really going to come down to something like him or Peters. He's been great the last few years but we've all seen first hand how OLinemen with an injury history fall apart at 30. I'd love it if he proved me wrong but he's likely going to cost too much with to great an injury risk.

 

[tempests]

Rams are likely working on it as we speak. After the season he had last year I can't believe they'd have any interest in letting him go.

 

[Loyal]

Unless he's going to sign for about half what he is currently signed for pass. It's really going to come down to something like him or Peters. He's been great the last few years but we've all seen first hand how OLinemen with an injury history fall apart at 30. I'd love it if he proved me wrong but he's likely going to cost too much with to great an injury risk.

It was both of his shoulders, tho...Neither has been a problem whatsoever in 4 years? I really don't think an adequate replacement for a guy who plays almost any position on the line at a pretty high level, exists on the team. At least 2 round round pick would be needed, and more likely 1st round pick in the upcoming draft would be needed to replace him, imo.

 

[ReekofRams]

Let Saffold walk. He's 30 years old with a long injury history. Try to keep Hav and Jamon.

Ever since he he had both shoulders fixed, he hasn't had any injury problems. Plus if you watched the Rams last year you seen a guy who was very effective in pass protection, and especially in the run game. He was manhandling people at the point of attack, and then moving on and demolishing defenders at the second level.

 

[Loyal]

Let Saffold walk. He's 30 years old with a long injury history. Try to keep Hav and Jamon.

But neither is better than him. They are younger is all. I think for four years, he's better than either of them

 

[VegasRam]

Let Saffold walk. He's 30 years old with a long injury history. Try to keep Hav and Jamon.

Yeah - the whole injury history thing diesn’t really wash. Been injury free for awhile now. And
Frank Gore has an “injury history”, and I believe he’s still playing.

 

[Rams43]

I would love to see Saffold extended.

His age is not an issue.
His level of play is near Pro Bowl, at least.
Since the two shoulder surgeries his health has been excellent.
Great teammate and mentor.

Only problem is that his new market value salary will probably be unaffordable under the cap gen all of our other upcoming extensions.

 

[OldSchool]

It was both of his shoulders, tho...Neither has been a problem whatsoever in 4 years? I really don't think an adequate replacement for a guy who plays almost any position on the line at a pretty high level, exists on the team. At least 2 round round pick would be needed, and more likely 1st round pick in the upcoming draft would be needed to replace him, imo.

I like the guy as much as anybody. But the contract that was thrown out by somebody earlier just isn't going to be feasible. And yes he hasn't had an injury the last couple years, but he's 30 now and has a lot of tread on those tires. These guys carry extra weight and get beat up every play on offense. We've seen it too many times where a guy starts to fall apart at 30 there's no denying that happens. We Rams fans are simply going to have to get used to some vets when they get to the 2nd or 3rd contract moving on. We're set to pay at least 3 people in the top 5, two guys at the top, of their position. That's something that isn't sustainable with a bunch of other vets making good money on 2nd and 3rd contracts. Donald is going to take up at least $20 million next year of what looks like $44 million available.

We'll have to resign or replace:

Saffold
Suh
Joyner
Longacre
Westbrooks
Brown
Havenstein
Easley
Shields
Mannion
Littleton
Fox
Peterson
Brown

The following year
Talib
Whitworth
Peters
Sullivan
Goff (5th year option not sure how much that will be but it won't be cheap for a #1 pick I'll have to look it up)
Zeurlein
Higbee?
Hemingway
Cooper
Thomas
Price
Blythe
Davis

I count 26 plus we have to pick up Goff's 5th year option. Half our expected 53 man roster is a free agent in the next 2 years. While we'll need to keep some we'll have to pay draft picks, who's salaries go up every year along with the cap. We'll be able to hopefully replace 10-12 of them in the draft. This isn't as simple as keeping people we like at any cost or just "pay the damn man" Snead and KD along with McVay will have some major decisions to make and a lot of work to do. Every player rightfully wants to test the free agent market to get the best deal they can for themselves so it's not like we're just going to be able to sign them all to home town discounts because they love the Rams and want to be on what we think will be a winner. We will lose free agents we might not want to.

 

[OldSchool]

Yeah - the whole injury history thing diesn’t really wash. Been injury free for awhile now. And
Frank Gore has an “injury history”, and I believe he’s still playing.

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.

 

[Loyal]

I like the guy as much as anybody. But the contract that was thrown out by somebody earlier just isn't going to be feasible. And yes he hasn't had an injury the last couple years, but he's 30 now and has a lot of tread on those tires. These guys carry extra weight and get beat up every play on offense. We've seen it too many times where a guy starts to fall apart at 30 there's no denying that happens. We Rams fans are simply going to have to get used to some vets when they get to the 2nd or 3rd contract moving on. We're set to pay at least 3 people in the top 5, two guys at the top, of their position. That's something that isn't sustainable with a bunch of other vets making good money on 2nd and 3rd contracts. Donald is going to take up at least $20 million next year of what looks like $44 million available.

We'll have to resign or replace:

Saffold
Suh
Joyner
Longacre
Westbrooks
Brown
Havenstein
Easley
Shields
Mannion
Littleton
Fox
Peterson
Brown

The following year
Talib
Whitworth
Peters
Sullivan
Goff (5th year option not sure how much that will be but it won't be cheap for a #1 pick I'll have to look it up)
Zeurlein
Higbee?
Hemingway
Cooper
Thomas
Price
Blythe
Davis

I count 26 plus we have to pick up Goff's 5th year option. Half our expected 53 man roster is a free agent in the next 2 years. While we'll need to keep some we'll have to pay draft picks, who's salaries go up every year along with the cap. We'll be able to hopefully replace 10-12 of them in the draft. This isn't as simple as keeping people we like at any cost or just "pay the damn man" Snead and KD along with McVay will have some major decisions to make and a lot of work to do. Every player rightfully wants to test the free agent market to get the best deal they can for themselves so it's not like we're just going to be able to sign them all to home town discounts because they love the Rams and want to be on what we think will be a winner. We will lose free agents we might not want to.

Of those guys you listed, Joyner is gone and we all know that. Almost as certain Suh is gone. Of the remaining guys, Saffold is more valuable than the rest. As for the 30yr old wall, that i more of a RB thing, not so much an Olineman thing. Saffold will play at a high level for 3 years at least, imo. I really think we can't afford to lose him and still be a legitimate contender..

 

[Loyal]

I can tell, this thread has all of the makings of being a 50 page thread.....

 

[pmil66]

Let him walk. Players rarely earn the 3rd contract money, and that is what Saffold will be signing, his 3rd contract.

 

[ReekofRams]

And yes he hasn't had an injury the last couple years, but he's 30 now and has a lot of tread on those tires.

yes he's 30, but because of his early injuries and surgeries he doesn't have as much tread on his tires as an average Olineman at 30 would have.
One question though @OldSchool if I may. Would you offer a contract to Saffold, and if so, for now much? Because I'm thinking $15million total for 3 years. Of course if he has another year like last year, then maybe round $18million for 3 years.

 

[OldSchool]

yes he's 30, but because of his early injuries and surgeries he doesn't have as much tread on his tires as an average Olineman at 30 would have.
One question though @OldSchool if I may. Would you offer a contract to Saffold, and it so, for now much? Because I'm thinking $15million total for 3 years.

Three years would be the max with all the guaranteed in the first year or two and for how much is hard to say. His last deal was 5 for $31+ million. For me I probably wouldn't offer him what he'd want unless he wants to stay here. I love the guy and we can try to deny it all we want but the age wall for OLine is real.