If Gaither Were To Go...

[AwakenTheDemon]

True, but Gaither is still young. So while there may be questions of his work ethic, he still has many years to improve. Not to mention, he's one of the best young tackles out there, regardless of his ethic. I do believe Oher to be the more skilled and versatile of the two, however. Gaither and Oher as our starting tackles give us a huge, talented offensive line. Oher's versatility alone makes injuries less costly and easier to bounce back from (from the tackle position at least). Sadly, it's a costly offensive line. Some people just don't see any reason why we'd (have) to let Gaither go.

[Brendan Ayres]

[quote name='AwakenTheDemon' date='19 March 2010 - 03:48 PM' timestamp='1269024517' post='379932']
True, but Gaither is still young. So while there may be questions of his work ethic, he still has many years to improve. Not to mention, he's one of the best young tackles out there, regardless of his ethic. I do believe Oher to be the more skilled and versatile of the two, however. Gaither and Oher as our starting tackles give us a huge, talented offensive line. Oher's versatility alone makes injuries less costly and easier to bounce back from (from the tackle position at least). Sadly, it's a costly offensive line. Some people just don't see any reason why we'd (have) to let Gaither go.
[/quote]

Very true. Knowing Ozzie, it would take a high 1st round pick to pry Gaither away. And that's just not going to happen this year. I've given up on Yanda as a tackle, but if Cousins can develop that might make things interesting.

[AwakenTheDemon]

I don't have much hope for Cousins either. He played absolutely horrible against the Steelers (I believe). I don't think I've ever been as pissed off at a tackle as I was with him last year.

[Brendan Ayres]

[quote name='AwakenTheDemon' date='19 March 2010 - 04:05 PM' timestamp='1269025545' post='379947']
I don't have much hope for Cousins either. He played absolutely horrible against the Steelers (I believe). I don't think I've ever been as pissed off at a tackle as I was with him last year.
[/quote]

Believe me, i'm only hoping that he will develop. I'm certainly not expecting it. Although I've been way more pissed at Adam Terry than any other tackle I've ever watched.

[slugz1]

if gaither leave mike iupati is our guy to replace him.

[XxSizzleXx]

Ozzie always takes care of the best that we brew, Ogden, Lewis, Reed, McAlister, Suggs to name a few.

[JEEPercreepermd]

[quote name='Brendan Ayres' date='19 March 2010 - 03:12 PM' timestamp='1269025966' post='379951']
Believe me, i'm only hoping that he will develop. I'm certainly not expecting it. Although I've been way more pissed at Adam Terry than any other tackle I've ever watched.
[/quote]
I agree, Terry is built like a monster but he doesn't have any of that nasty streak that you need to be a successfull OT. Cousins sucks.

[REEDPIXUOFF]

[quote name='Brendan Ayres' date='19 March 2010 - 02:19 PM' timestamp='1269022754' post='379916']
There will be a time when we will need to consider trading Gaither. It certainly doesn't have to be (nor should it be) this year. But think about it, Gaither clearly sees himself as a LT. I feel that our organization views Michael Oher as our LT of the future, and rightfully so. Since LTs garner more money on the free agent market, it is not a question of IF Gaither would sign with another team, but rather WHEN he will sign with another team. Although we shouldn't make this move right now, 1-2 years down the road would defintely be a good time to explore trade options.
[/quote]

He's a free agent after this year, assuming it goes back to needing 4 years of service to become an unrestricted free agent. That's why we're forced to either trade him now or risk him walking and getting nothing in return. I'd love to keep Jared but if it comes down to keeping him or Ngata, which it likely will, I'm taking Ngata.

[SickBoy]

[quote name='REEDPIXUOFF' date='25 March 2010 - 02:07 PM' timestamp='1269540445' post='382507']
He's a free agent after this year, assuming it goes back to needing 4 years of service to become an unrestricted free agent. That's why we're forced to either trade him now or risk him walking and getting nothing in return. I'd love to keep Jared but if it comes down to keeping him or Ngata, which it likely will, I'm taking Ngata.
[/quote]

I doubt that the front office would have to choose between Gaither and Ngata. Trevor Pryce, Willis McGahee, Ed Reed, Matt Birk, and maybe even Todd Heap will all either consider retirement or possibly be cut after this year. If only 2 of those big money players leave the team after this year, there will be more than enough money to keep both or our young studs happy.

[SickBoy]

[size="2"]In the AFC, when you will surely have to beat either Pittsburg or Indy to get to a SuperBowl, your right tackle is just as valuable as your left tackle. Robert Mathis and Lamar Woodley create just as much havoc as Dwight Freeney and James Harrison. The Ravens need to stop playing and sign Gaither to the long term deal he's seeking.[/size]

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='SickBoy' date='28 March 2010 - 02:21 PM' timestamp='1269800495' post='383601']
[size="2"]In the AFC, when you will surely have to beat either Pittsburg or Indy to get to a SuperBowl, your right tackle is just as valuable as your left tackle. Robert Mathis and Lamar Woodley create just as much havoc as Dwight Freeney and James Harrison. The Ravens need to stop playing and sign Gaither to the long term deal he's seeking.[/size]
[/quote]

Both tackle positions are certainly important but Gaither supposedly isn't a hard worker. Couple that with Oher's natural position being LT and a few other players needing contract extensions in a year or two, the team may not feel they need to give Jared the big bucks.

[SickBoy]

[size="2"]I'm not trying to debate with you, I just honestly dont know. Who, other than Flacco, should they be concerned with giving an extension to before Gaither? They should just watch the pass protection in the games Gaither was hurt, the Vikings and Steelers, and know for a fact that they need to give him whatever he desires. I think I'm starting to sound like his agent,lol.[/size]

[Clutch Ravens]

[quote name='SickBoy' date='28 March 2010 - 02:44 PM' timestamp='1269801878' post='383605']
[size="2"]I'm not trying to debate with you, I just honestly dont know. Who, other than Flacco, should they be concerned with giving an extension to before Gaither? They should just watch the pass protection in the games Gaither was hurt, the Vikings and Steelers, and know for a fact that they need to give him whatever he desires. I think I'm starting to sound like his agent,lol.[/size]
[/quote]

Haloti Ngata for one. I'm gonna stick my neck out here and say I'd rather see us off-load Gaither for a 1st rounder and keep Ngata about. Ngata is one of the best at his position, Gaither's maybe pushing the top 10.

[SickBoy]

[size="2"]Believe me I love Ngata, but I personally value offensive tackle more than defensive tackle. I dont think any of the Offensive Tackles in this draft are as good as Gaither and they are only a year or so younger, while he has 3 or 4 years of NFL experience. For example... the Rams drafted Jason SMith last year with one of the first three picks and he never materialized into the LT they needed. I don't think its worth the gamble and a tackle drafted earlier in the 1st round would command the same contract our proven Jared Gaither is asking for.[/size]

[putthefuinfun]

Isn't Andrews old? I don't remember, i might be thinking of my madden game but i thought he was in his 12th season or so.

[SC Ravens Fan]

Gaither has done a good job in replacing JO. No he's not JO but he could be a great LT with a bit more time. He made like 460k base salary last year. I think he deserves a raise and should stay in Bmore. I'd rather not chance drafting a bust when we know what we have with Gaither.

[DBOWSRAVENS]

[quote name='SC Ravens Fan' date='28 March 2010 - 06:53 PM' timestamp='1269816825' post='383671']
Gaither has done a good job in replacing JO. No he's not JO but he could be a great LT with a bit more time. He made like 460k base salary last year. I think he deserves a raise and should stay in Bmore. I'd rather not chance drafting a bust when we know what we have with Gaither.
[/quote]
his tender is over 2 mil and he has not signed it yet. i think that is a raise. he needs to sign it, get to work and know that the ravens will pay him when the get there other priorities straight.

[TerpRaven]

A 24 year old hulk of a LT that has graded out well. You can't get enough good protection for Joe Flacco. For the love of god, if Oher was to get hurt and Gaither was let go what would our OL look like. Pay the man.

[Radinho84]

din´t they whant to have a meeting today?? i think it was monday when they talked about coming together and get that contract done....

[beasy2487]

[quote name='Radinho84' date='29 March 2010 - 02:40 AM' timestamp='1269844857' post='383750']
din´t they whant to have a meeting today?? i think it was monday when they talked about coming together and get that contract done....
[/quote]

No, he's coming to workout with the team today but there has been no news about a contract. Essentially they're looking for him to sign the 2.3 mil tender and then they'll look to sign him long term after that. (Really I think the team is looking to groom Cousins and have him take over at RT long term and move Oher to LT... as misguided as those hopes may be.)

[PuRock]

[quote name='beasy2487' date='29 March 2010 - 11:26 AM' timestamp='1269876367' post='383826']
No, he's coming to workout with the team today but there has been no news about a contract. Essentially they're looking for him to sign the 2.3 mil tender and then they'll look to sign him long term after that. (Really [u][b]I think the team is looking to groom Cousins and have him take over at RT long term[/b][/u] and move Oher to LT... as misguided as those hopes may be.)
[/quote]

May the football Gods have mercy on our souls!

[beasy2487]

Question: How exactly do tenders work? If Gaither were to sign for 2.3 mil, how long is that contract? Just one year?

[PuRock]

[quote name='beasy2487' date='29 March 2010 - 11:47 AM' timestamp='1269877630' post='383835']
Question: How exactly do tenders work? If Gaither were to sign for 2.3 mil, how long is that contract? Just one year?
[/quote]

It's one year. Ofcourse they have the ability to renegotiate their contract at anytime like always.

[FerrariFan87]

If Gaither leaves, this offense takes a step back, and I don't know that the line would be good enough to protect Joe in order to get the ball to Boldin, et al.

[PuRock]

[quote name='FerrariFan87' date='29 March 2010 - 12:08 PM' timestamp='1269878882' post='383842']
If Gaither leaves, this offense takes a step back, and I don't know that the line would be good enough to protect Joe in order to get the ball to Boldin, et al.
[/quote]

Yep.

If Gaither leaves, we better be prepared to run to the left every other play behind Oher & Grubbs. Because teams (especially the Steelers) are going to overload the right side with blitzes. Cousins and Yanda will be feasted upon.

The line played okay without Gaither when we played sub-par teams. But when we played teams with a pass-rush, our right side was proven weak with Oher @ LT.

[psuravens]

My question with some of these posts I've seen, is about paying Gaither and Oher both LT money. Why can't we just sign Gaither to a 4 year deal because Oher still has four years left on his rookie contract. I don't understand why everyone would be willing to let Gaither go, compared to cutting ties/restructuring Willis's huge contract, which is way to much for a backup running back.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' date='28 March 2010 - 02:33 PM' timestamp='1269801201' post='383602']
Both tackle positions are certainly important but Gaither supposedly isn't a hard worker. Couple that with Oher's natural position being LT and a few other players needing contract extensions in a year or two, the team may not feel they need to give Jared the big bucks.
[/quote]

LOL! Was I wrong to say this?

None of us know what goes on in the meetings and practices. I want Gaither back but there are likely a number of reasons why the team hasn't signed him to a long-term deal yet.

[Milton145]

Well one thing is for sure. The guy is huge (biggest in the NFL I think?), young, and he can play. And most of all...he's a loyal Raven which means he'll come cheap over the years for us.

[BlindSide]

Time is running out for teams to sign restricted free agent Ravens tackle Jared Gaither to an offer sheet, but he may be available for less than his first round tender.

NFL Network's Jason La Canfora, citing two Ravens sources, said Monday an offer of a "high second round" pick would get a team's foot in the door.


Rest of story http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/03/29/gaither-could-be-available-for-less-than-first-round-pick/

[edreedfromtheu]

It's hilarious to me that ANY Ravens fan thinks they know Gaither and what his work ethic is. If the Ravens are stupid enough to let him go for a draft pick... I am going to love coming back to this board and hearing all the excuses "Joe doesn't have time to throw." "The running backs are getting hit in the backfield."

Simple solution is to let him play the remaining year of his rookie contract. You have another year to evaluate and make a decision. If a new contract has not been agreed upon, then you can franchise tag him. If his play this season, for whatever reason, has dipped or fallen off... then you can sign and trade or simply let him go. If he's fallen off to the point you don't think he helps the team... then you're not losing much by letting him go. A 5th round pick? Big deal.

But I have to believe the Ravens aren't dumb enough to let Gaither go. He's easily one of the best offensive tackles in the league.