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ALAMEDA, Calif. -- The Oakland Raiders were dealt a setback on Wednesday in their plans to rebuild the struggling franchise when offensive lineman Rodger Saffold failed a physical one day after agreeing to a $42.5 million, five-year contract. The two sides had agreed to the deal shortly after the start of free agency on Tuesday but the contract was never signed after team doctors would not give Saffold a clean bill of health after a physical on Wednesday. The Raiders did not give a reason why Saffold failed the physical. Saffold was set to be paid $16 million in 2014 and $27.6 million over the first three years as the Raiders viewed him as a building block in a rebuilding plan after 11 straight years without a playoff berth. But Saffold had durability problems in his four years with St. Louis, missing 17 games with a variety of injuries. He missed time with a knee injury last season and has also had problems with his neck, shoulder and pectoral muscle in his career. Despite those issues, the Raiders valued Saffold higher than homegrown tackle Jared Veldheer, who was allowed to leave as a free agent for Arizona on Tuesday. The Raiders did sign one offensive lineman, finalizing a five-year, $30 million deal with former New York Jets tackle Austin Howard on Wednesday. But with about $60 million in salary cap room heading into free agency and numerous holes to fill following two straight four-win seasons, Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie needs to find more help soon. The Raiders did host a number of free agent defenders on Wednesday in hopes of upgrading that side of the ball. Former Pittsburgh linebacker LaMarr Woodley tweeted that he was headed for a visit to Oakland and Dallas defensive tackle Jason Hatcher also tweeted his plans to visit. ESPN reported that former New York Giants defensive end Justin Tuck and cornerback Terrell Thomas are also set to visit the Raiders. The Raiders need help on their pass rush after losing last years leading sacker and most consistent defender LaMarr Houston to Chicago in free agency. The other three starting defensive linemen - Pat Sims, Vance Walker and Jason Hunter - are also free agents. Oakland also has holes in the secondary with starting cornerbacks Tracy Porter and Mike Jenkins and free safety Charles Woodson also free agents. After showing some promise early in the season, the Raiders defence wilted late and allowed the second-most points per game (28.3) in franchise history. Oakland has had two of the three highest scoring seasons allowed in coach Dennis Allens first two years with the franchise. Tuck, Woodley and Hatcher all have proven themselves as accomplished pass rushers in the NFL, a trait the Raiders have been lacking in recent years. They have not had a player reach double figures in sacks since Derrick Burgess and Warren Sapp both did it in 2006. Tuck was rated as the ninth best pass rushing defensive end by Pro Football Focus last season when he had 11 sacks, 12 quarterback hits and 44 hurries. Woodley struggled with injuries the past three seasons but was still an effective rusher when healthy. He ended last season on injured reserve with a calf injury and the Steelers released him because of his high salary. After averaging 11 sacks per season from 2008-11, Woodley has only nine sacks in 24 games the past two years. He did have eight quarterback hits and 24 hurries last season, according to Pro Football Focus. Hatcher was one of the most productive inside pass rushers last season with Dallas, when he had 11 sacks to lead all defensive tackles. Thomas, who missed the 2011 and 12 seasons with a pair of ACL tears, struggled in his return last season in coverage for the Giants. He allowed 52 catches on 79 balls thrown his way for 550 yards and six touchdowns for a 106.0 passer rating against, according to game-charting by Pro Football Focus. His one interception came against Oakland. Wholesale Soccer Jerseys . According to TSN Edmonton reporter Ryan Rishaug, agent Rick Valette met with Oilers senior VP of hockey operations Scott Howson and general manager Craig MacTavish on Monday to kick off the talks. Fake Soccer Jerseys .J. - Trying to learn and absorb the new West Coast offence being installed by new offensive co-ordinator Ben McAdoo, the New York Giants wrapped their final organized team activity Thursday before a three-day mini-camp next week. https://www.cheapsoccerjerseysjustwholesale.com/. LOUIS -- The Tampa Bay Rays have placed right-handed pitcher Joel Peralta on the 15-day disabled list with an undisclosed illness. Replica Soccer Jerseys . -- Chris Tillman paid no attention to the Baltimore bullpen as it started to stir in the ninth inning. Soccer Jerseys . The above paragraph could be rewritten, verbatim, with Marcus Stromans name in place of Romeros. After both men had disastrous outings in Tuesdays 18-4 mauling at the hands of the Tigers, its clear that neither is the best option to begin the season in Toronto.NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Craig Smiths late goal gave his team a win and his coach a milestone victory.Smith scored at 17:58 of the third period to lead the Nashville Predators to a 2-1 win over the Winnipeg Jets Saturday night.James Neal also scored for Nashville, winners of four of their last five.Blake Wheeler had the lone Winnipeg goal. The Jets have lost two of three.With time winding down in the third, Calle Jarnkroks shot was blocked, but it found Smith at the bottom of the left circle, where he beat Winnipeg goaltender Ondrej Pavelec for his sixth goal of the season.I was off to the side, so the shot was taken from the middle, Smith said. He went down to try to pick it up and then it was on my stick before he could get up and move over. Hit the net.Pavelec made 27 saves in the game.I didnt see it, pretty much just a lot of bodies in front, Pavelec said. I think we blocked it, but we blocked it right to the guys stick, easy for him.The win was the 400th career victory for Nashville coach Peter Laviolette.I wouldnt have known unless I read it in the notes, Laviolette said. Really the most important thing was it was a big win for our team tonight. We have to keep pushing wins and trying to stay on top of what we are doing here because if you dont, to stay at the top is hard and to fall is easy.Wheeler scored the games first goal at 6:57 of the second period.After a turnover in the neutral zone by Nashvilles Matt Cullen, Wheeler skated in on the right side and beat Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne with a wrist shot to the glove side.RInne finished with 21 saves.dddddddddddd He is 6-0-0 in his career against Winnipeg.Wheelers eight goals lead the Jets. He has three in his last two games.After not allowing a short-handed goal against last season, Nashville has allowed two so far this season. The Predators did not record a shot on goal in eight minutes of power play time in the game.The penalty kill has been outstanding all year for us, and it was again tonight, Winnipeg coach Paul Maurice said. Its part of the reason weve won more than weve lost.Neal tied the game 1-1 at 15:45 of the second on a one-timer from the high slot off a pass from Mike Ribeiro that beat Pavelec high to the glove side.That goal came just eight seconds after Ribeiro appeared to have tied the game. The goal was waived off when it was ruled that the puck was played with a high stick.It was a tough call there, Neal said. We felt like we were right there to get one and you get your emotions all ramped up when you score and you feel like you are back in the game. It was a little bit of a let down when it didnt happen, but to come right back and score on them was big. You could feel the game kind of change from that point on.Notes: Nashville C Colin Wilson returned to the lineup after missing two games with a lower-body injury. Predators rookie C Filip Forsbergs six-game goal-scoring streak was snapped. Nashville has allowed the first goal in 12 of 17 games this season. Neal has points in four consecutive games... Winnipeg completes their current five-game road trip Sunday in Minnesota. ' ' '