[Elvis]

http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/p ... er-saffold

Rams have decision to make on oft-injured Rodger Saffold

by Nick Wagoner

EARTH CITY, Mo. -- We're moving closer to the start of the new league year and, along with it, the start of free agency. Which means over the next few weeks, the Los Angeles Rams will be taking a long look at the players already on the roster and determining whether they're worth their projected salary-cap numbers.

Some teams have already begun the process of releasing high-priced veterans to create salary-cap room. So this week, we'll take a look at some players who will come under the microscope for the Rams. (All contract numbers courtesy of ESPN Stats & Info.)

Player: OL Rodger Saffold

Contract status: Signed through 2018.

2016 cap hit: $5.875 million (Base salary becomes guaranteed on third day of league year)

Potential savings: $3.775 million

Rodger Saffold is the Rams' most experienced offensive lineman but has consistently struggled to stay healthy. AP Photo/Tom Gannam
Why he could go: Put simply, Saffold has rarely been able to stay healthy in his six seasons in the NFL. He missed 11 games in 2015 after suffering yet another right shoulder injury and undergoing surgery to have it fixed. While Saffold managed to play all 16 games in 2014 (one of only two years he's done it), he had surgery on his left shoulder after that season. Beyond the shoulder issues, Saffold has also dealt with various other ailments throughout his career. While Saffold's price tag might not be too cumbersome, it could be considered too much for a player who hasn't proved capable of staying healthy consistently for long stretches.

Why he could stay: As it stands, Saffold still remains the most experienced offensive lineman on the Rams. The team chose to go with a youth movement on the line last year but could still use someone to help guide their young linemen. Now that both of Saffold's shoulders have been repaired, the hope is that he can stay healthy moving forward and he's only 27, which offers hope that if he could finally stay healthy and settle in at guard that he could be the team's best lineman. Perhaps more than any of that, having Saffold's versatility might be more important than ever. Given left tackle Greg Robinson's struggles, having Saffold as insurance for that position could be worth the price, even if it's more than they'd want to pay for a starting guard/backup tackle. If nothing else, keeping Saffold around for another year buys the Rams more time to develop youngsters like Cody Wichmann, Andrew Donnal and Isaiah Battle, not to mention Robinson.

[trueblue&gold]

I'm actually torn on Saffold. I think his "leadership" is probably overrated but he is the senior of the group. If and that is a big IF, he stays healthy and on the field, he makes us a better line than without him (based on current roster). But paying someone $5.8 Million to sit in the tub is not good business. I'm going to say that the Rams are going to keep him for at least this season to see how his repaired shoulders fair. If we have the Cap space to keep him then I say keep him but if the money used on him prevents us from picking up a more important piece than I say release him.

[den-the-coach]

[Hacksaw]

I'm actually torn on Saffold.

You're not the only thing torn on Saffold. lol,, He has some sort of fragility which is not becoming of a NFL lineman. Time to move on. We need that cap space more than a mentor on the bench..

[Hacksaw_64]

Rodger that, over.

[trueblue&gold]

I'm actually torn on Saffold.

You're not the only thing torn on Saffold. lol,, He has some sort of fragility which is not becoming of a NFL lineman. Time to move on. We need that cap space more than a mentor on the bench..

LOL. He is a china doll. Like I said, If the money used on him prevents us from getting another more important piece then I say cut him yesterday but if we have the space to absorb for this season, then I honestly see no harm in keeping him for at least one more season because when he is on the field he is not a liability.

[Hacksaw]

I'm actually torn on Saffold.

You're not the only thing torn on Saffold. lol,, He has some sort of fragility which is not becoming of a NFL lineman. Time to move on. We need that cap space more than a mentor on the bench..

LOL. He is a china doll. Like I said, If the money used on him prevents us from getting another more important piece then I say cut him yesterday but if we have the space to absorb for this season, then I honestly see no harm in keeping him for at least one more season because when he is on the field he is not a liability.

In all fairness, he did have complete seasons in 2010 and 2014. Overall he played in 68 of a possible 96 games where he was the scheduled starter. So he has missed right around 1/3 of his games not including games he started but couldn't finish.
Is he better than Reynolds or Wichmann? Depth is a good thing of course but man, we have 16 FA's and we need a top QB. I dunno.

[Hacksaw_64]

You're not the only thing torn on Saffold. lol,, He has some sort of fragility which is not becoming of a NFL lineman. Time to move on. We need that cap space more than a mentor on the bench..

LOL. He is a china doll. Like I said, If the money used on him prevents us from getting another more important piece then I say cut him yesterday but if we have the space to absorb for this season, then I honestly see no harm in keeping him for at least one more season because when he is on the field he is not a liability.

In all fairness, he did have complete seasons in 2010 and 2014. Overall he played in 68 of a possible 96 games where he was the scheduled starter. So he has missed right around 1/3 of his games not including games he started but couldn't finish.
Is he better than Reynolds or Wichmann? Depth is a good thing of course but man, we have 16 FA's and we need a top QB. I dunno.

Prior to his injury this past year, he was absolutely horrible playing guard. I think he was neck in neck with Robinson in the fight for lowest PFF game ratings...He's expensive,unreliable,an really not all that good. Pass.

[Hacksaw]

LOL. He is a china doll. Like I said, If the money used on him prevents us from getting another more important piece then I say cut him yesterday but if we have the space to absorb for this season, then I honestly see no harm in keeping him for at least one more season because when he is on the field he is not a liability.

In all fairness, he did have complete seasons in 2010 and 2014. Overall he played in 68 of a possible 96 games where he was the scheduled starter. So he has missed right around 1/3 of his games not including games he started but couldn't finish.
Is he better than Reynolds or Wichmann? Depth is a good thing of course but man, we have 16 FA's and we need a top QB. I dunno.

Prior to his injury this past year, he was absolutely horrible playing guard. I think he was neck in neck with Robinson in the fight for lowest PFF game ratings...He's expensive,unreliable,an really not all that good. Pass.

What that Hacksaw said.
I don't call him SoftFold for nothing.

[trueblue&gold]

The front office should look to the reigning world champs to see how to approach FA. I cannot think of one FA that we have picked up in the last 3-4 years that actually paid off other than Barron.