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Rams43

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dzrams
Talib - I don't see why he wouldn't be back. He'll be paid a very modest $9M in 2019 so unless his performance drastically declines this year which is unlikely, I think it's a lock he'll be back.

Joyner - He's gone. And I said so the minute they franchise tagged him. They can't keep everyone and letting a DB walk is probably where they save money. Fortunately, Snead has been very good at drafting DBs.

Suh - IMO, this was always intended on both sides to be a one year relationship. Under normal circumstances I'd say it's near a 100% chance he won't be back. However, I see an outside chance that if things don't go well in AD negotiations or take a turn for the worse, the Rams could possibly want to keep Suh as insurance for AD leaving. Call it Plan B. I don't think they can afford both long term though.

Whitworth - I'm guessing there's an 80% chance he's back. I think both he and the Rams signed a 3 year deal on purpose due to his age. I agree that a Rams SB win increases the likelihood of retirement. OTOH, if they don't win the SB but get close I think he'll want to be back for another shot at it.

Saffold - It's hard to say. I could easily see the Rams deciding to save money here and he becomes a cap casualty. I think he'll be the most expensive to resign out of the three pending free agents of he, Hav, and Brown. OTOH, they could decide to keep him in the budget which IMO makes it more likely that Brown and Hav walk. I see us keeping two at most, and possibly only one of the three. And IMO Saffold is the linchpin of that decision.

Your take is the one I most closely resonate with, dz. Fwiw, lol.

I differ with you only slightly on Whit. I make him only 50% for ‘19. First, he seemed to tail off a bit in late ‘17 and I suspect that that might accelerate in ‘18. Still a fine player, of course, but not quite the same as earlier in the ‘17 season. Noteboom was drafted to be his ultimate replacement and if Noteboom blossoms in ‘18 then Big Whit (and his salary) become expendable in ‘19. If Noteboom disappoints, then the ‘19 draft class is reportedly loaded with LOT prospects. Either way, Big Whit is fighting Father Time and one, or more, high draft pick challengers.

I’m also a bit more pessimistic than you about extending Saffold. Check this out [www.spotrac.com] (gotta scroll down for individual players)

Those top 8-9 Gaurd salaries are intimidating. And Zack Martin’s new 6 year $84 million salary isn’t reflected as an ‘18 cap hit yet! I just don’t know if Saffold is affordable, tbh. I make him less than 50%. Sigh.