Saffold Would Offer Intriguing Options
March 7th, 2014
A few months ago, the Bucs headed out to play the Kellen Clemens-led Rams in St. Louis and caught a break to start the game. Rams beastly left tackle Jake Long blew his knee out on the opening snap.
In stepped versatile Rams guard/right tackle/left tackle Rodger Saffold, and the Bucs didn’t take advantage one bit.
Clemens threw at a 70 percent completion rate, and Zac Stacey had another 100+ yard day on the ground.
Saffold, a four-year veteran at 25 years old, will hit the free agent market in a matter of hours, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports this morning, and Joe finds Saffold awfully intriguing, given the Carl Nicks mess and the uncertainty across the entire Bucs’ offensive line. At 6-5, 332 pounds, the guy could represent a whole lot of options for the Bucs on a host of different levels.
The Rams claim Saffold is a priority to re-sign but they haven’t settled on money and he’s expected to test the market. The consensus is he wants starting left tackle money and the Rams only want to pay him guard cash, which is lower.
After his first three seasons at left tackle, Saffold was moved to right tackle this year and showed his versatility at guard. He’s known as a punishing blocker who can also move in the running game.
“Rodger’s a tremendous athlete and when healthy you could put him up there with some of the best in the league,” Rams head coach Jeff Fisher said after the Bucs-Rams game. “What we’ve done in the run game has involved him pulling.”
The Post-Dispatch claims Saffold has diverse interest across the NFL.
Complicating matters with Saffold is the fact that he’s drawing interest both at tackle and guard. Good tackles generally make more money than good guards.
It’s clear the Rams are more interested in Saffold at guard, although if he re-signs he could open the season at left tackle if Jake Long isn’t ready following knee surgery last January. Some in the industry believe Saffold’s next contract — wherever it is — will come in excess of $6 million per year.
Yesterday, Joe wrote that the Bucs should steer clear of injured players. Saffold, who was the first player taken in the second round of the 2010 NFL Draft, has missed time during his career, but there’s no question he’s healthy now. Joe’s curious to see if the Bucs call Saffold in for a visit.
March 7th, 2014 at 10:52 am
Got to shore up that O-line somehow. We could have a fantastic offense next season with a healthy Doug Martin, Mike Williams, V-Jax ( Sammy Watkins or Eric Ebron would look awesome in Bucs Uniforms!) and a more confident and experienced MG8! The key has got to be giving Glennon more time to throw and plowing open holes for Martin/James/Rainey.
March 7th, 2014 at 11:02 am
Trade revis for a low round 1, clear cap space, get Mack, Monroe, trade Joseph for a 4-5 round, same with penn. Get younger.
If Lovie wants all in on pass rush trade the 2 1st round draft picks to Rams and get Clowney. If not, try to trade down to get a 1st rnd pick later and an additional 3-4-5 rnd i the draft (mosley, evans, donald, ebron should still be there). That is what I would do. You can even change the revis contract to carry over a couple millions of dead money to increase the trade offer for him. The next highest cb salary is 10M$ so if we take a 2-3m$ cap dead money we still have enough the pay the second best cb.
March 7th, 2014 at 11:03 am
Oups wrong thread! Sorry!
March 7th, 2014 at 11:11 am
at 6 mil that would be a great pickup. Cut Penn and get this guy. Raiders LT will get a 5 year 55 million contract which will be expensive for us! Any other veteran LT will be just as much so at 6 mil its worth a shot. Especially the kid can play all the roles we need.
March 7th, 2014 at 11:44 am
Sorry You Go Joe,
You’re not going to get Saffold or any other half-decent LT for 6mil. Penn is making 6.9mil and that’s low. Saffold is looking for Jake Long money or he would have been re-signed already by the Rams!
http://overthecap.com/top-player-salaries.php?Position=LT
March 7th, 2014 at 12:24 pm
Actually PENN will make 7.4 mill with bonuses and stuff. So paying Saffold 8 mill would not be too much of a hit as we can cut Penn and take this kid. Penn would only have a 300k cap hit if cut. Now if he worth Raiders LT 10 I don’t think so or anything close to that.
March 7th, 2014 at 12:33 pm
You go Joe,
Agree with your logic, but be careful before you move Penn. Saffold had a shot at LT and had to be moved to RT, then to OG in STL. May be a better OG than Joseph, but may not be a better LT than Penn.
I agree wholeheartedly with the notion of getting better on the O-Line!
March 7th, 2014 at 1:20 pm
Jeagan1999 Says:
March 7th, 2014 at 10:52 am
Got to shore up that O-line somehow. We could have a fantastic offense next season with a healthy Doug Martin, Mike Williams, V-Jax ( Sammy Watkins or Eric Ebron would look awesome in Bucs Uniforms!) and a more confident and experienced MG8! The key has got to be giving Glennon more time to throw and plowing open holes for Martin/James/Rainey.
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Glennon may not have to worry about having time to throw; he probably won’t be the opening week starter.
March 7th, 2014 at 2:58 pm
Not sure how I feel about the hybrid guys on the line. Zuttah comes to mind…never really dominant because he’s always been moved. If they want to sign this guy as Nicks replacement..ok. But doesn’t seem like he wants that, and it’s too much of a dice roll to confidently say he’ll be able to replace Penn.