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In a draft class where up to six offensive tackles could come off the board in round one, Indiana tackle Rodger Saffold is not likely to be among them. That doesn’t mean he doesn’t have a promising NFL career in front of him. One need look no further than one of Buffalo’s second-round draft choices of a year ago in Andy Levitre.
Saffold’s draft stock is largely deemed to be in the same range, and it wouldn’t be surprising if the Bills personnel department felt similarly.
While Saffold has spoken with quite a few NFL franchises – including the Jacksonville Jaguars, Indianapolis Colts, San Diego Chargers, Miami Dolphins, Atlanta Falcons and Oakland Raiders – the Bills have one added connection providing Buffalo with intimate knowledge about the pass protecting Hoosier.
Saffold’s former offensive line coach at Indiana, Bobby Johnson, joined Chan Gailey’s staff just over a month ago as the assistant offensive line coach. The impact that Johnson had on the development of Saffold was significant.
“Of course, Coach Johnson, it’s always good seeing your coach down there,” Saffold told BuffaloBills.com of his meeting with Johnson and the Bills front office at the NFL combine. “Of course when you get in there for the interview and he’s looking at you, you kind of want to look around at everybody. It really makes you feel more comfortable, especially with me being the only Indiana offensive lineman there.”
A reunited partnership between the two would only serve to help Saffold’s transition to the professional ranks. The bulky tackle is fully aware of the positives that come from further work with Johnson, who obviously already knows his strengths and weaknesses........
Saffold’s draft stock is largely deemed to be in the same range, and it wouldn’t be surprising if the Bills personnel department felt similarly.
While Saffold has spoken with quite a few NFL franchises – including the Jacksonville Jaguars, Indianapolis Colts, San Diego Chargers, Miami Dolphins, Atlanta Falcons and Oakland Raiders – the Bills have one added connection providing Buffalo with intimate knowledge about the pass protecting Hoosier.
Saffold’s former offensive line coach at Indiana, Bobby Johnson, joined Chan Gailey’s staff just over a month ago as the assistant offensive line coach. The impact that Johnson had on the development of Saffold was significant.
“Of course, Coach Johnson, it’s always good seeing your coach down there,” Saffold told BuffaloBills.com of his meeting with Johnson and the Bills front office at the NFL combine. “Of course when you get in there for the interview and he’s looking at you, you kind of want to look around at everybody. It really makes you feel more comfortable, especially with me being the only Indiana offensive lineman there.”
A reunited partnership between the two would only serve to help Saffold’s transition to the professional ranks. The bulky tackle is fully aware of the positives that come from further work with Johnson, who obviously already knows his strengths and weaknesses........
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