Rodger Saffold Re-Signs With St. Louis Rams; Other Guards In The Works

Dec 8, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Oakland Raiders owner Mark Davis (left) and New York Jets owner Woody Johnson before the game at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Those patiently waiting for the St. Louis Rams to make a “splash” in free agency certainly got their fill of excitement last night. In a crazy turn of events, the Oakland Raiders nullified their massive, $8.5 million per year contract with Rodger Saffold, leading to the 2010 St. Louis draftee almost immediately re-signing with the Rams. More importantly, according to some vague reports from St. Louis Post-Dispatch beat writer, Jim Thomas, the deal should be slightly lower than their previous offer, which…

Assuming that is the case, Rodger Saffold should be looking at a contract somewhere in the $30 million dollar range; still top dollar for an offensive lineman with only six total games at his projected starting position in 2014.

However, even with Saffold in tow, the Rams are still likely on the prowl for some middle-tier talent to help on the interior of the offensive line. Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers OG Davin Joseph was reportedly out with the team last night, and still has the potential to be signed on with St. Louis at some point this week, according to Jim Thomas.

There was also a mention that former Arizona Cardinals OG Daryn Coledge was schedule for a meeting a Rams Park on Wednesday, but, considering recent events, it is unclear what will become of those talks.

Even without the two outsider visits, the St. Louis Rams should still be in the hunt for their former backup/starter, Shelley Smith. The swing guard reportedly left the New York Giants facility yesterday without signing an offer, and is headed for a meeting with the New England brass today. However, in light of the massive Darrelle Revis signing by the Patriots, it should be interesting if they can throw together a deal that would pull him away from the grips of the St. Louis Rams. There has been little information connection Smith with the Rams front office, but it would be surprising if they hadn’t already discussed, at least in loose terms, some type deal to re-sign the valuable depth player.

Regardless of the outcome with those aforementioned players, the St. Louis Rams should now be significantly more comfortable with their offensive roster headed into the 2014 NFL Draft. Re-signing Saffold not only inks a starting interior lineman, but provides depth at offensive tackle and insurance for the Rams, in the event the Jake Long is not “full-go” by Day 1 of the regular season. For once in the NFL, it appears as though good things actually came to those who waited…