Tag: Rodger Saffold

Bills-Titans MNF preview: Who must succeed for their team to win

The Bills-Titans Monday Night football game should be amazing. Here are seven under-the-radar players who must succeed for their team to win.

When we last saw the Buffalo Bills and Tennessee Titans face off, it was October 18, 2021 — Week 6 of the season. Tennessee pulled off a thrilling 34-31 comeback win, scoring 10 unanswered points in the fourth quarter, and pointing running back Derrick Henry at Buffalo’s nickel-heavy (and run-light) defense as if Henry was the biggest possible power tool — which, of course, he was. Henry led the way for the Titans as he had the two seasons before, and as he did until his season was halved by injury. He ran 20 times for 143 yards and three touchdowns, including the game-decider with 3:05 remining.

While the Bills are well aware of what Henry can do to them when healthy, it might not be the main story as these two teams get ready for their Monday Night Football matchup (7:15 EST, Buffalo’s Highmark Stadium, ESPN/ESPN2). Henry has not yet looked like the back he was before missing half the 2021 season with a foot injury. Quarterback Ryan Tannehill is coming off a season in which he led the league in third-down interceptions with 11. Tennessee’s receiver corps is very much in flux after the A.J. Brown trade, and a defense that used to be one of the NFL’s best has some questions marks in both pressure and coverage.

As for the Bills, everybody’s chic Super Bowl LVII pick lived up to the hype and then some in their 31-10 outright thrashing of the defending Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams. Buffalo’s defense made Matthew Stafford’s crew look like a bad Division II offense, and Buffalo’s offense caused coverage busts that Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey was eager to discuss after the fact.

So, we could see two very different teams in this battle of AFC titans in the Week 6 rematch. Here are seven under-the-radar players who must step up and succeed if their team is to win.

Bills’ DaQuan Jones, Rodger Saffold ready to face former team, the Titans

#Bills’ DaQuan Jones, Rodger Saffold ready to face former team, the #Titans:

DaQuan Jones and Rodger Saffold are going to feel a little different than anyone else in the Buffalo Bills locker room ahead of facing the Tennessee Titans.

On Monday, Buffalo welcomes their former team to Orchard Park.

Both of them are handing their feelings in different ways.

Saffold feels a bit more personal about it.

Not only did he sign with the Bills after spending the past three years with the Titans, the way the first two weeks of the schedule lined up–how could he feel any different?

Tennessee is the team he earned his Pro Bowl status with. The Los Angles Rams is the team that draft him. That’s how his Buffalo career begins.

“Kind of like–(the schedule) was almost built for me. Back-to-back like that,” Saffold told the Bills radio show.

Also signing in Buffalo this spring, Jones spent 2021 with the Carolina Panthers. But from 2014 to 2020, he was in Tennessee.

Despite that, Jones is trying to be on the opposite end of the spectrum.

“I’m not really a sentimental guy,” told the team’s website. “My wife brings it up to me all the time just about Tennessee. I’m like, ‘Hey! Don’t overthink it. It’s not that big of a deal.’ So, people let me know what kind of game it is, and what kind of game it’s gonna be. But I’m just a mental guy… In my mind, I’m going to do what I’ve been doing.”

While perhaps not the flashiest of players on Buffalo’s roster, both Jones and Saffold will play key parts against the Titans.

Jones will anchor the middle of a defensive front that’s trying to slow down All-Pro running back Derrick Henry.

Saffold will be part of an offensive line attempting to contain defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons.

Plus, because both know the Titans on a very close level, they’re all too familiar what their opponents are capable of. Regardless of what their own feelings are, this pair will be taking Buffalo’s upcoming opponent seriously.

“Because I have so much respect for those guys, because I know the identity of the other team, because I know how these guys play, that’s all the motivation I need,” Saffold said.

[lawrence-related id=105431,105406,105412]

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbw1j59gmjw5gdj player_id=none image=https://billswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

Bills’ Rodger Saffold motivated by respect, not revenge, vs. Titans

Bills guard Rodger Saffold says he didn’t take his release from the Titans personal.

The Tennessee Titans made wholesale changes to their offense this offseason, and one of the players they parted ways with was veteran guard Rodger Saffold, who is now a member of the Buffalo Bills.

Saffold will be on the field on Monday night when the Titans take on the Bills, which will be his first matchup against his old team since being released.

While Saffold’s end in Nashville wasn’t ideal, he doesn’t take it personally. He also noted that it’s respect that has him motivated for this game, not revenge.

“You never want to go down the road that I kind of had to go to,” Saffold said to One Bills Live. “There’s tough decisions for every team, so I never take any of that personally.”

“Because I have so much respect for their guys, because I know the identity of the team, because I know how these guys play – that’s all the motivation I need,” Saffold added.

The Titans aren’t being given much of a chance to win this game, which is somewhat understandable given how these two teams started the season.

The Bills put a whooping on the defending Super Bowl champs, 31-10, while the Titans lost to one of the worst teams in the NFL over the past five years, the New York Giants, 21-20.

However, as the Bills know from their last two meetings with Tennessee, the Titans normally rise to the occasion and surprise people when they are counted out most, something Saffold has seen first hand.

“I hate to say this: But when… [the Titans are] supposed to win, they usually have trouble,” Saffold explained. “But when they’re challenged with a really, really good team, they bring out their best ball.”

“I’m not expecting to see kind of the mishaps that happened last game,” he continued. “I expect to see the best shot that they have to offer, and we need to nullify that and nullify it early.”

One matchup to watch will be Saffold against Titans defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons, who noted the familiarity they have with one another.

“I think the advantage is we kind of both know each other,” Simmons said. “I know his play style, I’m sure he knows my play style. I watched him against the Rams; he’s going some things a little different, but it’s basically the same Rodger that I’ve [seen] since I’ve been here with Tennessee. I’m excited for the matchup.”

Saffold will have a tough task in stopping Simmons, who notched a pair of sacks and a forced fumble in Week 1. Keeping Big Jeff in check will be key for Buffalo on Monday night, and Saffold will play a big role in that.

[pickup_prop id=”27549″]

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbyh7crnrcs3ypf player_id=none image=https://titanswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

[lawrence-related id=96812,96753,96586]

[listicle id=96678]

Five underrated players to watch in the Rams-Bills season opener

The Los Angeles Rams and Buffalo Bills kick off the 2022 NFL regular season tonight. Here are five under-the-radar players to watch.

We all know the big names in tonight’s 2022 NFL regular-season opener pitting the defending Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams against the Buffalo Bills — the trendy pick to unseat the Rams and take the Lombardi Trophy at the end of Super Bowl LVII.

Aaron Donald. Von Miller. Matthew Stafford. Josh Allen. Stephon Diggs. Jalen Ramsey. On and on. These two teams didn’t get here by accident — they each have among the league’s most talent-rich rosters.

But hidden in those rosters are players you may not know (or may not know enough about), and that’s where we come in with five players you’ll want to keep an eye on when this game kicks off at 8:20 p.m. EST.

Bills at Rams: 3 key matchups in Week 1

#Bills at #Rams: 3 key matchups in Week 1:

The Buffalo Bills will face the Los Angeles Rams in their upcoming Week 1 game.

Even with the bright lights on with the contest slated as the NFL’s season opener, it will still be the games, within the game, that will make all the difference.

With that, here are three key matchups to watch between the Bills (0-0) and Rams (0-0):

Bills’ Rodger Saffold discusses car accident leading to injury

#Bills’ Rodger Saffold discusses car accident leading to injury:

The Buffalo Bills only just got offensive lineman Rodger Saffold in the fold due to some bizarre circumstances.

The 34-year-old was in a car accident just prior to training camp which led to an injury to his ribs.

Prior to Saffold discussing the injury on Sunday, Buffalo general manager Brandon Beane explained that he was thankful it wasn’t worse. The GM added Saffold was OK at the start of camp, it was just the type of issue that caused pain with minimal movements.

“You don’t want to put a timetable on it, but those generally take some time. I mean, it’s tough for him to sleep. Anybody that’s ever cracked some ribs can probably speak to that,” Beane said.

Saffold explained that he’s now feeling better. He also didn’t want to go down memory lane.

“I don’t really want to go into the details of the crash because, obviously, it was traumatic for me. It was just an accident and I had some sore ribs,” Saffold said.

Understandable, but at least he’s back in good health now.

“I’m doing great,” Saffold said. “Trainers have done a fantastic job of bringing me in slowly. And I’m just gaining more and more confidence every day. They wouldn’t be putting me out there if I wasn’t ready to play. Of course there’s some soreness that you’ve got to work through, but that’s just part of the game.”

Saffold explained that he didn’t think the ribs would be much of a problem when he got to training camp. Then the team’s medical staff thought otherwise.

“It wasn’t until I got back here that I figured out the damage that was in place and that I needed to be smart about it–We just had to take some time,” Saffold said.

At this point, Saffold was just happy the Bills’ training staff were able to spot the issue.

And despite his spell on the PUP list which ended on Aug. 7, he’s excited the he will be better off in the long run once the regular season starts–even if that means missing some time in exhibition games.

“There’s no limit to what we can be,” Saffold said.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbw1j59gmjw5gdj player_id=none image=https://billswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

[lawrence-related id=104113,104109,103806]

Bills activate Rodger Saffold from NFI list

#Bills activate Rodger Saffold from NFI list:

The Buffalo Bills have activated offensive lineman Rodger Saffold from the non-football injury list. The team announced the transaction on Sunday.

Saffold had been on the NFI list for the entirety of the team’s training camp. On the first day of practices on July 24, the Bills put him on the designation due to a ribs injury he suffered in a car accident prior to camp.

Saffold, 34, signed a one-year deal with the Bills this spring. He is expected to start at left guard for Buffalo once the regular season begins and he gets back on the field.

Pro Football Focus graded Saffold a 68.8 overall mark last season while he was with the Tennessee Titans. However, he was carried by a 76.1 run-blocking mark. His 44.8 pass protection grade was considered very low.

The offensive line has been a position group hit hard by injuries at Buffalo’s training camp. Saffold returning will be a welcomed boost for the Bills.

Check out Saffold’s debut on the practice field via WIVB-TV below:

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbw1j59gmjw5gdj player_id=none image=https://billswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

Bills 2022 training camp positional battles: Offensive line depth

#Bills 2022 training camp positional battles: Offensive line depth (via @jdiloro):

The Buffalo Bills seem set with their starting five on the offensive line heading toward the 2022 regular season. Head coach Sean McDermott has said that he will roll with the best five.

As of now, that grouping will be: Dion Dawkins and Spencer Brown at the tackle spots, Rodger Saffold and Ryan Bates at the guard positions, and Mitch Morse at center.

Buffalo brought in more competition to challenge for the depth spots on the offensive line. McDermott loves flexibility and availability, and the players who ultimately make the final roster will need to demonstrate their ability to step into action without any drop off.

Tommy Doyle played as a sixth lineman periodically last year. The Bills moved on from Daryl Williams in March, so Doyle has a good shot at being the primary backup at tackle.

The Bills have Cody Ford and Ike Boettger on the roster as well. Ford has fallen off, but he has experience at tackle and guard. Boettger has started at guard in the past for Buffalo.

However, Boettger is likely to spend a good chunk of the 2022 season continuing to rehab an Achilles injury he suffered last year.

Buffalo also brought in several veterans to fight for spots. David Quessenberry, Greg Van Roten, and Greg Mancz are among this faction. Their experience gives them an edge moving forward.

Buffalo drafted tackle Luke Tenuta in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL draft. Former practice squad lineman Jacob Capra also has an outside chance as making the final squad.

The Bills will keep eight or nine linemen on the final roster. Expect Buffalo to experiment with a wide variety of line combinations over the next few weeks.

The Bills have had no problem shuffling players around based on game situation and injury issues. This is a spot to watch as the Bills finalize their roster.

[lawrence-related id=103445,103110,103112]

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbw1j59gmjw5gdj player_id=none image=https://billswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

10 takeaways from Brandon Beane at the start of Bills training camp

10 takeaways from Brandon Beane at the start of #Bills training camp:

The Buffalo Bills began their 2022 training camp adventure on Sunday. Prior to that first workout, general manager Brandon Beane gave one of his handful of press conferences he delivers throughout the year.

Considering Beane’s discussions are less frequent than most with the team, it’s always important to take what we can from his pressers.

With that, here are 10 takeaways from Beane at Bills training camp:

Bills’ Rodger Saffold begins training camp on non-football injury list

#Bills’ Rodger Saffold begins training camp on non-football injury list:

The Buffalo Bills are without offensive lineman Rodger Saffold as the team’s 2022 training camp begins on Sunday.

Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott announced via video conference that Saffold was placed on the team’s non-football injury list (NFI).

McDermott explained that Saffold was recently involved in a car accident. During the incident, he suffered an injury to his ribs and the coach added the Pro Bowler will be back in “due time.”

Saffold, 34, signed a one-year deal with the Bills this spring. He is expected to start at left guard for Buffalo once the regular season begins and he gets back on the field.

Pro Football Focus graded Saffold a 68.8 overall mark last season while he was with the Tennessee Titans. However, he was carried by a 76.1 run-blocking mark. His 44.8 pass protection grade was considered very low.

Check back at Bills Wire throughout training camp for updates on Saffold and any other injury news.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbw1j59gmjw5gdj player_id=none image=https://billswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

[lawrence-related id=102858,102864,102954]