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Titans Guard Rodger Saffold: "I Feel Like I Am Letting My Team Down"

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NASHVILLE – The Titans signed Rodger Saffold in free agency back in March, and at this point, the veteran guard doesn't feel like he's living up to his end of the bargain.

Like a number of Titans, Saffold had a tough day in the team's 14-7 loss to the Bills on Sunday.

He's had multiple games this season when he's allowed multiple sacks – that's according to Saffold himself.

"I feel like I am letting my team down at this point," Saffold said on Monday. "I am not used to having this type of frustration. … I am not going to blame anybody on my team – my players, my coaches. I am just going to have to find a way to get connected with this team and be able to get in rhythm with the team.

"At the end of the day, even though we all make mistakes, we always talk about how you have to be critical of yourself and that is one thing that I definitely take to heart. The only thing that I can do is come in here and try to be the same guy without being too down."

Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota was sacked five times against the Bills, and he's now been sacked 22 times in five games on the season.

Saffold acknowledged some of the sacks have been on him. He blamed poor technique, and a new scheme with an especially mobile quarterback after playing his first nine NFL seasons with the Rams.

"It's slightly technique, but just overall with the way the offense plays, kind of the way Marcus plays, it's a serious adjustment," he said, "and just having to take care of the one-on-ones a little bit better. There are some times where you just get beat and you have to give it to the defense, but I am used to giving up one sack per year and I've had a couple of games where I've had two sacks. For me, that is just not good enough."

Saffold, who has started 115 games in his NFL career, was regarded as one of the top guards in free agency this offseason. He started every game last season for the Rams, the NFL's second-ranked offense in 2018.

On Sunday, the Titans return to action in Denver against the Broncos.

Saffold said he's confident he'll get his issues corrected.

"The only think I can do is come in here and try and be the same guy without trying to be too down," Saffold said, "and on Wednesday try to come in here and improve, which means come in here with my hair on fire and be able to go to practice with a different mindset."

The Tennessee Titans take on the Buffalo Bills in Week 5 of the 2019 season at Nissan Stadium. (Photos: Donald Page)

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