Saffold Transcript

Here is the transcript that the Rams media had with Saffold after he was picked. Link

Saffold Conference Call Transcript

Posted >Fri, April 23, 2010 07:52 by Nick Wagoner



– Second-round pick Rodger Saffold spoke to the assembled St. Louis media on Friday night, discussing his role on the Rams and how he fits in, among other topics.

(On being surprised the Rams selected him)

“Yeah, it really was a blessing. I knew that they came to work me out during my pro day, but you never know until your name is actually called.”

(On how much he knows about the Rams)

“Not a lot. I definitely had an idol over there with Orlando Pace. Tom Nutten, the guard that played with Orlando Pace during the Super Bowl when they defeated the Tennessee Titans, actually trained me for the guard position down when I was working out in Florida for the combine.”

(On his versatility)

“I’ve had a big mix. I think now that people have seen me go against other people, and seeing how my range might not be as big as other people’s, I can still handle the left tackle position. They also know I’m with the loyalty of the team, so if they want to have me at guard that’s totally fine.

(On whether he’s ever played guard)

“No I’ve never played any guard.”

(On what position he’s most comfortable at)

“More comfortable at left tackle, but I really get excited when I have to do challenges, so playing guard would be true excitement for me.”

(On how he felt last night after the first round)

“It was a long night. Your heart is racing the entire time, and I’m just glad St. Louis called first today, because I don’t know how much longer I could have (waited).”

(On his draft day activities)

“Right now here in Ohio, my home town, Bedford, just sitting with some family and just watching the game and the draft.”

(On who is at his draft party)

“Right now we’ve got about 20 people. The Big Ten Network has also been following me the last couple of days.”

(On whether he’s celebrating at his mother’s apartment)

“No, it’s at a club house next to my mother’s apartment.”

(On when he heard from Rams General Manager Billy Devaney)

“I think it was two minutes, 13 seconds before they had do make a decision. I definitely pay attention to detail, especially when it comes to something as important as this.”

(On his ability to play right tackle)

“Right tackle would be just as fine. Switching up from left to right tackle is just like potato and po-tah-toe. Going ahead and anchoring down that right side is just as much of an important job as that left tackle has. I definitely want to perform on the field.”

(On what he knows about Sam Bradford)

“I saw that he was a big time quarterback out of Oklahoma. You also have Trent Williams over there, a couple really good guys. I talked with Trent and he thought that he was a really good quarterback, which was nice to hear. Just the thought of probably blocking for him, that’s a huge job in itself.”

(On blocking for Steven Jackson)

“Oh man, I’m telling you, I probably thought of that first. I was really excited about that. Power football and getting things going. I’m truly excited.”

(On playing any other sports in high school)

“Yes, I played basketball and I threw discuss and shot put in track.”

(On his progression in college)

“Well, my biggest thing was when I was a two star recruit, I basically went in with a chip on my shoulder. I tried to play as best as I possibly could, continue to make little goals so I could start getting the rotation. I was second team and my coach wanted to make sure that he redshirted us. We lost our first game and I told myself that I didn’t want to sit on the sideline and watch my team lose a game. So the next week I had the greatest practice I ever had and then he finally gave me a chance to let me play in a game my freshman year. From then on I just pride myself to always make sure I’m doing the best I can to protect my quarterback. That’s just history from there.”

(On draft party last night)

“Yes, I actually had a lot more people over here last night. My father said that he just wanted me to have a real good experience and basically he just made sure that everyone got a chance to see me.”

(On where his friends and family went)

“A lot of them flew in, some people have jobs and they couldn’t get off of work on today. So a lot of them either had to go back home or had to just listen today.”

(On how he benefited from the East/ West game)

“I was doing very well in the one-on-one drills as well as during the football game. I was in the last stretch to score a touchdown and win the game. So that was definitely huge. That was like my bowl game. I played for IU so didn’t get to go to a bowl game last year. That’s what I made it. I made the East/ West game my bowl game.”

(On his skills)

“I definitely think I will bring a lot of good technique and power to the game. I’m very boisterous and passionate about the game. I also put my head on the swivel and I’m able to adjust.