Jared Gaither Is Back At Practice!

[1/28/01]

Im so tired of this topic.....Steelers Steelers Steelers!

[Jabara]

[quote name='1/28/01' timestamp='1285980619' post='493789']
Im so tired of this topic.....Steelers Steelers Steelers!
[/quote]
Trust me, I understand, but really this has the ability to impact how Ray Rice does this season.
If Yanda or Cousins can perform in this game Sunday, and we can feel comfortable with either at RT, the issue with Gaither will go away.

[JohnJohnson]

[quote name='Jabara' timestamp='1285980619' post='493788']
You are assuming that it [i]is[/i] an injury just as much as people are assuming [i]it's not[/i] an injury, and personal issues.

There is currently no proof either way.
[/quote]

Actually, I'm not. Reread what I wrote, and then think again. My point is that Gaither COULD be telling the truth, and doctors not "seeing the problem" isn't exactly unprecedented, especially with back injuries.

[Jabara]

[quote name='JohnJohnson' timestamp='1285982234' post='493804']
Actually, I'm not. Reread what I wrote, and then think again. My point is that Gaither COULD be telling the truth, and doctors not "seeing the problem" isn't exactly unprecedented, especially with back injuries.
[/quote]
I know what you are saying, I'm not being negative, or suggesting you are wrong.
If you take Gaither and Ravens out of the equation, I agree with you. I've had back issues of my own.

But when it relates to Gaither, we don't have solid proof either way, whether he is injured or if he's not.
That's all I'm getting at.

At this point, we can say that suggesting either side is an assumption.
Because, neither side is clear or factual, at this point.
There is no proof of an injury when our coach is saying it's a mystery.

I won't be shocked if they conclude it to be an injury type thing for PR reasons, but right now, it's a PR problem.

[hammer]

[quote name='JohnJohnson' timestamp='1285980291' post='493786']
What? Doctors not immediately seeing the problem with a BACK INJURY!??? UNPRECEDENTED!!! No one has EVER had back pain that wasn't fully understood, diagnosed, and cured in a month, so obviously he can't be telling the truth.

Give ME a freakin' break.
[/quote]

I think it is of note that the only doctor to diagnose Gaither with a back injury is the doctor who is paid by Gaither and his high integrity agent (Rosenhaus). The Ravens doctors have examinied him twice and can't seem to find any abnormalities. I belive the Ravens. Its as simple as that. At least for me.

[GuitarScott]

If an AGENT has any say in who a player sees concerning an injury, and not the TEAM's doctors, I see a problem. Makes me think he doesn't plan on being a Raven next year. Might as well send him to the Jets too. He's certainly not playing like a Raven. Tired of the BS. If it was really an injury, he woulda been on the PUP or IR like Foxworth/Reed.

[BloodRaven]

Any links to the Gaither/Zeus thing?

[Jabara]

[quote name='BloodRaven' timestamp='1285990224' post='493900']
Any links to the Gaither/Zeus thing?
[/quote]
I've searched and haven't found anything, that's the way PR would want it, or it's simply not true.
In this situation, I'm leaning a certain way though.
Zeus does tend to help work with the team, not to mention he was our RT for a time, and he has had run ins with the law before.
Who knows?
I doubt we'll see a story about this other than a rumor.

[Moderator 2]

I heard it was Zeus, he talked to him for 5 mins or so and was so annoyed at his attitude and left.

[Jabara]

[quote name='Moderator 2' timestamp='1285992216' post='493938']
I heard it was Zeus, he talked to him for 5 mins or so and was so annoyed at his attitude and left.
[/quote]
Ok, that is more news, and I say that because you are a moderator and we are inclined to think you have more info, or a reason to express certain opinions than most of us, if not all of us do.
So Since that has been said, can we begin to assume, it's more than just a [i]back injury[/i] that is keeping Gaither from playing?

[Moderator 2]

It came from a paid site that I can't link to--sorry but figured since it was out there its no longer proprietary.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='Jabara' timestamp='1285992627' post='493942']
Ok, that is more news, and I say that because you are a moderator and we are inclined to think you have more info, or a reason to express certain opinions than most of us, if not all of us do.
[b]So Since that has been said, can we begin to assume, it's more than just a [i]back injury[/i] that is keeping Gaither from playing?[/b]
[/quote]

I don't want to say yes but the numerous reports of Gaither's lack of work ethic at Maryland, here in Baltimore and this story are pretty damning.

[Jabara]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1285993123' post='493949']
I don't want to say yes but the numerous reports of Gaither's lack of work ethic at Maryland, here in Baltimore and this story are pretty damning.
[/quote]
Yeah, I recall there was a story, I believe during training camp, that came out saying Gaither's college coach had said he has issues with his motivation.
If that had always been the case, and then he was moved from LT to RT, that would continue to hurt his ego.
It's a real shame. And it's really going to mess with our plans at RT, which maybe we could have had a back up plan for such a situation. If Rice is to be a major weapon, this could hinder his season, unless of course if the rearranged line with Yanda at RT can help out. I recall Cam saying we would prefer not to do so. Who knows, maybe it was in the plans all along. Cousins too.

[Rav'n Maniac]

[quote name='Moderator 2' timestamp='1285992216' post='493938']
I heard it was Zeus, he talked to him for 5 mins or so and was so annoyed at his attitude and left.
[/quote]
Since I was one the the original posters discussing this, I felt I should explain exactly what I heard so there would be no confusion. I won't quote because I haven't been able to get a transcript of the show as yet.

While listening to the Bruce Cunningham Show at 105.7 The Fan on Tuesday, a fan called in asking of Gaither's status. Bruce started by saying that the word coming out of Owings Mills is that Jared doesn't want to play any longer. He went on to say that Gaither was visited by Zeus and at some point an altercation broke out with the two being separated by staff.

That's it, nothing more! Although I enjoy listening to the station while I work, I don't always put stock in everything they say. This could be nothing more than media hype and until I hear it reported nationally by someone like Aaron Wilson or others, I won't deem it as anything more than hearsay.

[darklight1216]

[quote name='Rav'n Maniac' timestamp='1286012350' post='494006']
Since I was one the the original posters discussing this, I felt I should explain exactly what I heard so there would be no confusion. I won't quote because I haven't been able to get a transcript of the show as yet.

While listening to the Bruce Cunningham Show at 105.7 The Fan on Tuesday, a fan called in asking of Gaither's status. Bruce started by saying that the word coming out of Owings Mills is that [b]Jared doesn't want to play any longer.[/b] He went on to say that Gaither was visited by Zeus and at some point an altercation broke out with the two being separated by staff.

That's it, nothing more! Although I enjoy listening to the station while I work, I don't always put stock in everything they say. This could be nothing more than media hype and until I hear it reported nationally by someone like Aaron Wilson or others, I won't deem it as anything more than hearsay.
[/quote]
Now that's interesting. Did it seem like they were saying that he doesn't want to play football ever again or that he didn't want to play for the Ravens?

[baltravens]

They are shipping Gaither out west since specialist here don't know what his injury is. In about 10 days we will see if Gaither is being fully honest about is back.
This is fishy.

[berad]

[quote name='baltravens' timestamp='1286038405' post='494108']
They are shipping Gaither out west since specialist here don't know what his injury is. In about 10 days we will see if Gaither is being fully honest about is back.
This is fishy.
[/quote]

Where'd you hear this? It could very well be true - just be sure to post a link or source reference of some kind..

[Milton145]

Dammit man. If this is true then it's pretty pathetic on his part. We should have tried more aggressively to trade him for something in the draft. I was one of the few who didn't want us trading Gaither for a draft pick but if it's true then wow...

[JohnJohnson]

Waaaahhh, waaaaahhhh. That's all I hear. What part of "he's going to see a specialist" do you people not understand? If you've never had back issues, you have no perspective on the situation. Maybe he's not working as hard as he possibly could to recover, but that doesn't mean he's flat out lying. I bet Oher would love to slap you guys for your ignorant assumptions.

[Bltravens]

Nothing like having a franchise LT one year, and having to draft his replacement at RT 2 years later....NOW how F'ed would we be if Ozzie didnt draft Oher in 09 lol.

[XxSizzleXx]

We would be in serious trouble in we didn't have Oher on this team. IMO if Gaither doesn't come back I have a feeling we will have a tough time running the ball ALL season.

[darklight1216]

[quote name='berad' timestamp='1286038643' post='494111']
Where'd you hear this? It could very well be true - just be sure to post a link or source reference of some kind..
[/quote]
That was on BR.com. He's supposed to see the same specialist from California again, if I recall correctly.

[quote name='XxSizzleXx' timestamp='1286056923' post='494257']
We would be in serious trouble in we didn't have Oher on this team. IMO if Gaither doesn't come back I have a feeling we will have a tough time running the ball ALL season.
[/quote]
I'm more worried about the prospect of Flacco getting banged up.

[Moderator 2]

Wilson was reporting the[url="http://ravens24x7.com/columns/Inside-The-Ravens-With-Aaron-Wilson/RAVENS-NOTEBOOK-Gaither-aggravated-back-injury-to-see-specialist-again"]Back specialist too[/url]

[quote]OWINGS MILLS – Baltimore Ravens offensive tackle Jared Gaither aggravated his upper back injury and will get another second medical opinion from a California specialist[/quote]

[kash96ravenstotalfan]

Harbs said that the Ravens doctors didn't see anything wrong on Gaithers back so they are sending him to the specialist in CA. I suppose Gaither chose the Dr. in CA. I find it really suspect that Gaither is not playing this season. First, we move him to RT and then everything goes downhill. My opinion, Gaither wanted to play LT so he could maximize his earnings next season and the Ravens spoiled that for him. Having said that, I am a true Ravens fan and I think that Gaither is taking a calculated risk in not playing this season - for whatever reason. I think we should put him on IR and get on with the season without him. Let the young guys step-up this sunday

[bdravens]

IMO he's holding out, as a few of you have said before. I HOPE i'm wrong, because he is valuable. Only problem now is that we can't trade him, nobdy wants an O-lineman with a bad back.

[berad]

[quote name='darklight1216' timestamp='1286059423' post='494276']
That was on BR.com. He's supposed to see the same specialist from California again, if I recall correctly.
[/quote]

[quote name='Moderator 2' timestamp='1286061902' post='494293']
Wilson was reporting the[url="http://ravens24x7.com/columns/Inside-The-Ravens-With-Aaron-Wilson/RAVENS-NOTEBOOK-Gaither-aggravated-back-injury-to-see-specialist-again"]Back specialist too[/url]
[/quote]

Wasn't doubting the validity, just wanted to see a link/source. Thanks!

[BloodRaven]

Oher still has some way to go before Flacco can rest easy in the pocket, he's been getting beaten over and over. For all his flaws and injuries Gaither is the closest thing we've had to JO.

[XxSizzleXx]

[quote name='BloodRaven' timestamp='1286088534' post='494490']
Oher still has some way to go before Flacco can rest easy in the pocket, he's been getting beaten over and over. For all his flaws and injuries Gaither is the closest thing we've had to JO.
[/quote]

Can't argue with that, it just sucks the way that this situation is panning out. Our offense just seems to mesh when he is in.

[Rav'n Maniac]

[quote name='darklight1216' timestamp='1286026414' post='494043']
Now that's interesting. Did it seem like they were saying that he doesn't want to play football ever again or that he didn't want to play for the Ravens?
[/quote]
Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner. Long day working yesterday. To answer your question, I took it as he's unsure as to whether or not he wants to play the sport any longer, they certainly made it sound that way.

[Greatness]

Why couldn't we just have kept Gaither at LT and let Oher have another season at RT. We were BEASTLY when both were on the field, especially with Gaither in his natural position. Oher was good for us at the RT spot. Flacco made food with all the time he had in the pocket for the most part last season. I never got the feeling we would be re-signing Gaither anyway, so why not use him now and get a ring? Done deal.