Rodger Saffold Update: Rams have “no issue” with Saffold’s shoulder, sign for five year deal
By Chase Ruttig
December 2, 2012; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams tackle Rodger Saffold (76) talks with fans after defeating the San Francisco 49ers in overtime at the Edward Jones Dome. St. Louis defeated San Francisco 16-13 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
After a tepid day of free agency surrounding the Oakland Raiders that boiled down to meetings with several key defensive FA’s and no signings, the Raiders are now joining the free agency madness as expected free agency addition Rodger Saffold has failed his physical and has resigned with the Rams on a five year deal.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter the Raiders had concerns about Saffold’s shoulder injury after a physical and balked at their five year, $42.5 million deal they offered to the former Rams player. St. Louis then went and claimed the saw “no issue” with Saffold’s physical and locked him back up to a five year deal.
After a disagreement in OAK on OT Rodger Saffold's physical condition, he is returning to STL to sign a 5-yr contract with the Rams. Wow.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 13, 2014
Raiders had concerns about Saffold's shoulder; Rams had "no concerns whatsoever" about his shoulder, per agent Alan Herman and Jared Fox.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 13, 2014
So the Rams get back an offensive lineman and the Raiders are back to square one at left tackle.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 13, 2014
It will be interesting to see league/fan reaction to this latest update as many thought that Oakland was getting out of a bad contract offered to Saffold under a panic following the loss of left tackle Jared Veldheer. With the Rams taking Saffold back with no worries it will be interesting to see how the Raider Nation, and the league pundits view the recent developments out of Oakland. More news is likely to come before the end of the night as the Rodger Saffold/Raiders era has ended before it even started. Whether that is a blessing or a blow to the Raiders rebuild is another question, but going into the night down another offensive linemen questions continue to surround the Bay Area franchise.