“Slim” chance Jared Gaither re-signs with Ravens

[malachi47000]

Posted by Josh Alper on February 1, 2011, 11:00 AM EST
Jared Gaither

The one thing that the Ravens would need to know from Jared Gaither is something that he can’t possible tell them when they sit down to talk on Wednesday.

The Ravens need to know if they can count on Gaither to both practice and play in games for them during the 2011 season if they are going to re-sign him. That’s impossible to know in February when Gaither is coming off a year lost to a foot injury that may have resulted from his showing up at camp in poor shape as a result of back problems and unhappiness with the lack of a contract extension.

The injury problems are bad enough, but the questions about his work ethic raised by last summer’s issues have made it hard for the Ravens to put a full level of trust into Gaither. That explains why a Ravens official told Jamison Hensley of the Baltimore Sun that the chances of Gaither returning for another season were “slim.”

If Gaither does leave, the Ravens will have a big hole on the offensive line. Michael Oher was less effective as a left tackle this season than he was as a rookie on the right side, although that move was planned before Gaither’s injury. Marshal Yanda took over on the right and did okay while simultaneously making it clear he was a better fit at guard. The struggles of the offensive line were fingered as a big reason for Baltimore’s offensive slowdown down the stretch of the regular season, which means the team needs to be sure about the direction they take heading into next year.

The labor uncertainty might actually wind up helping the two sides find a common ground as a short offseason would hamper the Ravens’ ability to replace Gaither with a rookie or a free agent from outside the organization. A lack of trust is a lot to overcome, however, and it would be a major stumbling block to any discussion of a long-term contract with the Ravens.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com...s-with-ravens/

[CaliforniaChief]

Originally Posted by DeezNutz

And a lot of money with which to pay them. I expect "team friendly" deals, similar to the one offered Charles, for both Bowe and Flowers.

QFT.

The Charles deal was an absolute steal for the Chiefs.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by DeezNutz

And a lot of money with which to pay them. I expect "team friendly" deals, similar to the one offered Charles, for both Bowe and Flowers.

Exactly.

Clark Hunt has a bevy of young, emerging stars and I'll be shocked if he lets them walk away, especially considering his mantra of building a young team through the draft.

As a matter of fact, this is exactly what we've seen: DJ & Charles both were locked up long term to "friendly" contracts. The word on the street is that salaries will be reduced in the upcoming CBA so the Chiefs are wise to lock their guys up at reasonable rates.

It's good for the team and good for the players.

[doomy3]

I'd put Gaither at LT, and not think twice about it. IMO, Gaither is a much better LT than Albert.

Then, you can try Albert at RT, or kick him inside to guard.

A line of

Gaither
Albert
?
Asomoah
?

would be awesome.

[doomy3]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

He played left tackle before Oher was drafted. He was "okay" for a 5th rounder but as soon as he was injured, Oher filled in and played much better in 2009 than Gaither (with O'Neil Cousins on the right).

Their plan was to play Gaither on the right side, until he was injured. He's got a questionable work ethic, which is why he was a fifth rounder and he's probably better suited on the right side than the left.

Some team may be willing to pay him left tackle money, but I doubt it. After missing the entire 2010 season to injury, I'll be surprised if there are teams lining up to pay him the big bucks. Most likely, he'll stay in Baltimore as a right tackle.

Most reports out of Baltimore I read this year said that Oher should be moved back to LT next year, because he wasn't as good as Gaither was on the left side.

[KCrockaholic]

Originally Posted by Pestilence

Did he play RT this year with the Ravens? I know they moved Oher over to LT.

They moved him to RT in the pre-season. And he played RT in college.

[The Franchise]

Originally Posted by doomy3

Most reports out of Baltimore I read this year said that Oher should be moved back to RT next year, because he wasn't as good as Gaither was on the left side.

This is what I've heard.

[doomy3]

His injuries scare me, but if he is healthy he is a much better LT than Albert is.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by doomy3

I'd put Gaither at LT, and not think twice about it. IMO, Gaither is a much better LT than Albert.

Then, you can try Albert at RT, or kick him inside to guard.

A line of

Gaither
Albert
?
Asomoah
?

would be awesome.

The problem with that is that you have a team that's been excellent at talent evaluation that wants him on the right side.

So, in your scenario, you overpay (because you'll have to overpay to pry him from the Ravens) a guy with a questionable work ethic that's coming off of injury that played next to a Pro Bowler in Ben Grubbs, then move a three year starting left tackle to guard and bring in two other offensive lineman.

That's a recipe for disaster, IMO. Besides the Chiefs needing three new interior starters (in which Asamoah could start at either right or left guard), the Chiefs biggest concern among the offensive line (outside of center, which is a glaring need), IMO, is Bill Muir.

Albert & Richardson have failed to improve and that lies directly with the line coach.

[doomy3]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

The problem with that is that you have a team that's been excellent at talent evaluation that wants him on the right side.

So, in your scenario, you overpay (because you'll have to overpay to pry him from the Ravens) a guy with a questionable work ethic that's coming off of injury that played next to a Pro Bowler in Ben Grubbs, then move a three year starting left tackle to guard and bring in two other offensive lineman.

That's a recipe for disaster, IMO. Besides the Chiefs needing three new interior starters (in which Asamoah could start at either right or left guard), the Chiefs biggest concern among the offensive line (outside of center, which is a glaring need), IMO, is Bill Muir.

Albert & Richardson have failed to improve and that lies directly with the line coach.

I'd bring in 3 linemen in any scenario (center, RT, guard), so I don't look at it as being a recipe for disaster. In this scenario, we upgrade at LT (if he is healthy), we move Albert inside where he could be a Pro Bowl guard, IMO, and we still need to address RT and C, the same as now.

And yes, I agree we should have seen improvement from Albert and Richardson. Some of that blame falls on Muir, but some has to fall on Albert and Richardson too.

[Rasputin]

We don't need a bunch of free agents. Barry Richardson can do a fine job as he is still learning it at RT. This was an improvement learning season and the players are doing that. Yea we had a set back the last two games but can't take away the experience these guys got especially the younger ones.

[doomy3]

Originally Posted by KC Tattoo

We don't need a bunch of free agents. Barry Richardson can do a fine job as he is still learning it at RT. This was an improvement learning season and the players are doing that. Yea we had a set back the last two games but can't take away the experience these guys got especially the younger ones.

No, we don't "need" to bring in a bunch of free agents, but if you could bring in more talented players that would make your team better, why wouldn't you want to do that?

[DeezNutz]

Originally Posted by KC Tattoo

We don't need a bunch of free agents. Barry Richardson can do a fine job as he is still learning it at RT. This was an improvement learning season and the players are doing that. Yea we had a set back the last two games but can't take away the experience these guys got especially the younger ones.

I don't necessarily disagree with this, but I think we MUST have serious competition at RT, and, while I think center is a far more pressing need on the line, drafting a RT early wouldn't be the dumbest thing in the world.

It will be really, really tough to **** up our selection in the first round.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by doomy3

I'd bring in 3 linemen in any scenario (center, RT, guard), so I don't look at it as being a recipe for disaster. In this scenario, we upgrade at LT (if he is healthy), we move Albert inside where he could be a Pro Bowl guard, IMO, and we still need to address RT and C, the same as now.

And yes, I agree we should have seen improvement from Albert and Richardson. Some of that blame falls on Muir, but some has to fall on Albert and Richardson too.

The Chiefs need a center. That is there biggest need, first and foremost, on the offensive line. Next, they need a stronger, more athletic right guard, which they have in Asamoah. Lilja played "okay" but he's better suited for the left side, IMO.

Waters somehow made the Pro Bowl this year but I'd be shocked if he follows up with stellar play in 2011. But at this point in time, he's going to be difficult to replace, unless his play completely falls off a cliff.

After center and right guard, right tackle should be an area the Chiefs look to upgrade. I'm a Richardson fan and he's come a long, long way since being drafted in the 6th round in 2008. But I think that solid competition would be a healthy and good thing for Richardson and IMO, that doesn't come from O'Callaghan.

[Rasputin]

Originally Posted by doomy3

No, we don't "need" to bring in a bunch of free agents, but if you could bring in more talented players that would make your team better, why wouldn't you want to do that?

Because I believe in the draft, works much better & for long term success. We've gone down this road with FA and so far look at how it's gotten us with play offs. They do ok for short term but they also take away from players that need to get on the field to play to get better. I want guys with upcomming skills and become something special for us. I just don't care for FA that much at all. Takes away the growth & development of the guys we draft. JMO. It's what the draft is all about, to build a championship around.

[ShowtimeSBMVP]

I live out in MD this dude is a cancer he wants LT money and when the ravens said no you are playing RT .This dude went out and lost 50 pounds to like 260 and you want this cancer here really?