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Rival’s lineman should be targeted by Arizona Cardinals

By Jim Koch

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 19: Rodger Saffold #76 of the Los Angeles Rams wears an LAFD hat in honor of the Los Angeles Fire Department battling the Woolsey fire before playing in the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 19, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 19: Rodger Saffold #76 of the Los Angeles Rams wears an LAFD hat in honor of the Los Angeles Fire Department battling the Woolsey fire before playing in the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 19, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /
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Veteran Rodger Saffold would be an excellent addition to an Arizona Cardinals offensive line that is in dire need of an upgrade

It’s the same old story for the Arizona Cardinals. Another offseason has arrived, and a common dilemma has reared it’s ugly head again. Perhaps one day the Cardinals will achieve continuity on their offensive line, a task that’s actually much more difficult than it sounds.

With quite a bit of room under the salary cap, Arizona has the capability to be spenders during this year’s free agency period. Coincidentally, a division rival of their’s has a player scheduled to hit the market that would look great in a Cards’ uniform.

Rodger Saffold, the Los Angeles Rams’ longest-tenured veteran, has a contract that’s expiring. The guard would be an excellent piece to a puzzle that needs to be put back together in the desert. Acquiring the 30-year old would not only strengthen the Redbirds, but also weaken a foe that has won two consecutive NFC West championships.

Saffold has spent his entire nine-year career with the Rams. The 6’5, 323 pounder was selected in the second round of the 2010 draft, and has started an impressive 111 games for St. Louis/Los Angeles. Saffold is one of the NFL’s most versatile offensive lineman, having started at every spot up front but center.

The Cardinals’ blocking unit was ravaged by injuries this past season. Rookie quarterback Josh Rosen spent most of the campaign running for his life. Adding a quality piece like Saffold to the nest would help prevent the club’s franchise passer from experiencing that harassment again.

Saffold is at the end of a five-year, $42 million deal that he signed back in 2014. Arizona made a splash at the position last year, when they handed Justin Pugh a five-year, $45 million contract to play right guard. Saffold would be replacing left guard Mike Iupati, who will most likely be moving on after spending four years with the organization.

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The Cards, for the first time in awhile, will have beaucoup bucks to allocate to the roster. The free agent period is just two months away. It would be nice to learn that Saffold is on management’s 2019 shopping list.

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