Where Do We Need Help In Free Agency

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='Sunday QB' timestamp='1311125427' post='709911']
I am sorry but we need new blood on the Oline, Big mean and nasty. The end of last season we pick the line apart, so what has changed that everyone wants to resign everyone?
[/quote]

Well, Yanda was among the best and most consistent o-lineman in the league last season. And considering his performance in previous season, re-signing him is an obvious priority.

Gaither, when healthy, is simply one of the best o-lineman in the league.

If it were up to me, Chester would be gone. I [i]still[/i] don't know what he was thinking when he left Hood alone on third down during the last possession in the play-off game. Regardless, mental mistakes and his lack of strength make him nothing more than a solid back-up in my opinion. The coaches reportedly want him to be Birk's back-up. We'll see what happens.

[lowrider]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1311126587' post='709917']
Well, Yanda was among the best and most consistent o-lineman in the league. And considering his performance in previous season, re-signing him is an obvious priority.

Gaither, when healthy, is simply one of the best o-lineman in the league.

If it were up to me, Chester would be gone. I [i]still[/i] don't know what he was thinking when left Hood alone on third down of the last drive in the play-off game. Regardless, mental mistakes and his lack of strength make him nothing more than a solid back-up in my opinion. The coaches reportedly want him to be Birk's back-up. We'll see what happens.
[/quote]
When Yanda plays RG he is one of the best guards in the league. I think it is a huge mistake to put Yanda at RT because it takes one of our best offensive linemen and makes him an average RT, and puts Chris Chester in. And putting Chris Chester in for any plays is a mistake....

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='lowrider' timestamp='1311126808' post='709919']
When Yanda plays RG he is one of the best guards in the league. I think it is a huge mistake to put Yanda at RT because it takes one of our best offensive linemen and makes him an average RT, and puts Chris Chester in. And putting Chris Chester in for any plays is a mistake....
[/quote]

Yanda wasn't an average RT. He excelled. He's better at RG, I agree, but what he did at RT last season was very impressive.

[The Raven]

[quote name='lowrider' timestamp='1311126407' post='709915']
I think Gaither for a contract of 4-5 million dollars a year is suitable for both sides. But I could definitely see a team offering more than that. I'd love to have him back, but I'm not getting my hopes up. But I hope the Ravens at least propose a reasonable offer for him.

I don't think Jah Reid is the answer. A projected 4-5th round pick in some mock drafts and we got him in the 3rd. I think Ramon Harewood could be a dark horse for the RT position. I see some potential there. But if Cousins or Chris Chester are in the starting lineup, expect Flacco and Rice to be on their backs a lot.
[/quote]

Have you even seen some of Reid's film? He's gonna be a great RT one day. Just because he's a projected 4-5th doesn't mean he's not the answer. Just as an example, Birk was a 6th rounder. But he had a GREAT career as an NFL center. People look to heavily at draft status. Just because you weren't a first doesn't mean you're bad.

Anyways, Gaither will be gone. We have a team-first mentality in Baltimore, and by whining about wanting to play LT, Gaither is disrespecting that mentality. Personally, I wouldn't care if I player RT or LT, either way I get to smack somebody right?

[SuRihtanil]

We could use another stand out ILB? A Stephen Cooper, D’Qwell Jackson or Kirk Morrison? I think feel we loss some of the middle, the run stop, and pass rush when Bart Scott left and we still haven't replaced him.

[flynismo]

[quote name='The Raven' timestamp='1311131482' post='709935']<br />Have you even seen some of Reid's film? He's gonna be a great RT one day. Just because he's a projected 4-5th doesn't mean he's not the answer. Just as an example, Birk was a 6th rounder. But he had a GREAT career as an NFL center. People look to heavily at draft status. Just because you weren't a first doesn't mean you're bad.<br /><br />Anyways, Gaither will be gone. We have a team-first mentality in Baltimore, and by whining about wanting to play LT, Gaither is disrespecting that mentality. Personally, I wouldn't care if I player RT or LT, either way I get to smack somebody right?<br />[/quote]


I cant blame Gaither for wanting to play LT. Not just for financial reasons, but in his first two seasons in the league he established himself as an elite LT. There was absolutely no point in making the switch, especially after Oher played so well at RT. It's completely senseless. A stupid decision by our staff, just like the way they are trying to turn Kruger into a DE. Gaither got screwed; I dont blame him for being unhappy about it.

[The Raven]

[quote name='flynismo' timestamp='1311182332' post='710108']
I cant blame Gaither for wanting to play LT. Not just for financial reasons, but in his first two seasons in the league he established himself as an elite LT. There was absolutely no point in making the switch, especially after Oher played so well at RT. It's completely senseless. A stupid decision by our staff, just like the way they are trying to turn Kruger into a DE. Gaither got screwed; I dont blame him for being unhappy about it.
[/quote]

I believe the FO made the change because they didn't feel comfortable with Gaither's lack of work ethic, and with his injury history. In addition, if you remember, Oher and Gaither had a competition for the LT spot during OTAs. Gaither got hurt, thus, he lost. Obviously, at that point, Oher must've been the better tackle, or so they thought. Otherwise, he wouldn't have won the competition. It's not like they just gave the job to Oher like everyone seems to think. There was a [u]COMPETITION[/u] for the job, and Gaither must've lost.

I can't blame him for being upset, I too have had my position changed on the team. But you don't complain about it. It's a team game!!! If I have a player complaining about getting his position changed, I just might not resign him. I'm not saying Gaither's a bad LT by any stretch, what I'm saying is he's a bad team player, and a poor worker, which is why I believe his days as a Raven are over.

[flynismo]

[quote name='The Raven' timestamp='1311183791' post='710130']
I believe the FO made the change because they didn't feel comfortable with Gaither's[b] lack of work ethic, and with his injury history.[/b]
[/quote]


They sure seemed comfortable with it when they had him shut down James Harrison with one arm.


[quote name='The Raven' timestamp='1311183791' post='710130']
In addition, if you remember, Oher and Gaither had a competition for the LT spot during OTAs. Gaither got hurt, thus, he lost. Obviously, at that point, Oher must've been the better tackle, or so they thought. Otherwise, he wouldn't have won the competition. It's not like they just gave the job to Oher like everyone seems to think. There was a [u]COMPETITION[/u] for the job, and Gaither must've lost.
[/quote]

It is a competition that should never have taken place. Those two played at elite levels at their positions, what is the point in screwing around with that?


[quote name='The Raven' timestamp='1311183791' post='710130']
I can't blame him for being upset, I too have had my position changed on the team.
[/quote]



Are you saying you are a former Raven? Or are you talking about your beer league team (nothing wrong with that, but obviously a big difference from the topic at hand)

[PWNEDbyDEANO]

[quote name='SuRihtanil' timestamp='1311158867' post='709971']
We could use another stand out ILB? A Stephen Cooper, D’Qwell Jackson or Kirk Morrison? I think feel we loss some of the middle, the run stop, and pass rush when Bart Scott left and we still haven't replaced him.
[/quote]

Those guys might be able to provide an immediate upgrade but I don't see it happening for two reasons:

1) Jameel McClain is highly rated by the coaches. Right now, I think he almost has the starting spot next to Ray nailed down. I don't know that the Ravens would look to Free Agents to attempt to spark more competition.

2) As they are FAs and are reasonably good, they'll have a price tag on their head which I'm almost sure will put the Ravens off. Why spend (not necessarily a massive amount but spending nonetheless) on a position where we don't have a dire need for an upgrade when our own current roster could be mostly cleaned out. If we were to go in the direction of bringing another FA in, I think it would be a UDFA.

[The Raven]

[quote name='flynismo' timestamp='1311327036' post='711209']
They sure seemed comfortable with it when they had him shut down James Harrison with one arm.




It is a competition that should never have taken place. Those two played at elite levels at their positions, what is the point in screwing around with that?






Are you saying you are a former Raven? Or are you talking about your beer league team (nothing wrong with that, but obviously a big difference from the topic at hand)
[/quote]

One of the other reasons they wanted to have the competition was because of Gaither's injury concerns, which turned out to be an issue after all, he missed the whole season, so it's actually kind of irrelevant that Oher played LT instead of RT, because Gaither was too hurt to play anyway. Most teams want to have a consistent, dependable LT. not to say Gaithers bad, but his injuries over the 2009 season made it hard to depend on him. At the point Gaither shut down Harrison with one arm, did we even have Oher on the roster? Who would've been his backup? Oniel Cousins? Adam Terry?

And no, I dont play for a beer league team. lol. I play highschool football

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='lowrider' timestamp='1311126407' post='709915']
I think Gaither for a contract of 4-5 million dollars a year is suitable for both sides. But I could definitely see a team offering more than that. I'd love to have him back, but I'm not getting my hopes up. But I hope the Ravens at least propose a reasonable offer for him.

I don't think Jah Reid is the answer. A projected 4-5th round pick in some mock drafts and we got him in the 3rd. I think Ramon Harewood could be a dark horse for the RT position. I see some potential there. But if Cousins or Chris Chester are in the starting lineup, expect Flacco and Rice to be on their backs a lot.
[/quote]

I don't think anyone will offer him much more then that. I actually think the Ravens might just have the best offer on the table for Gaither when it's all said and done.

As good as Rosenhaus is, I don't think he'll be good enough to convince a team to break the bank on Giather. Now some teams will be able to spend more because they have to get their payroll up, but most of those team are none playoff teams. With Gaither's apparent desire to stay in Baltimore and our Super Bowl expectations, I don't think he'll join a lesser team just for a few buck more then the Ravens.

The Lockout really hurts the FA players, but it hurts a guy like Gaither the most. Because he has only play one full season in his 4 year career. Any team looking to sign Gaither will be signing him off of pure potential. If you're a up and coming team like TB, do you put huge money into a young still developing LT who has only played one full season in 4 years? If you are a team like the Pats who's losing a veteran OT in Light, do you place enough trust into a guy like Gaither to stay healthy?

Because I don't see many teams offering him more then what the Ravens will, I think Giather will probably come back to Baltimore for about 3-4 million with incentive that could put him up to about 7-9 million.

In this case the lockout may have actually help the Ravens.

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='The Raven' timestamp='1311131482' post='709935']
Have you even seen some of Reid's film? He's gonna be a great RT one day. Just because he's a projected 4-5th doesn't mean he's not the answer. Just as an example, Birk was a 6th rounder. But he had a GREAT career as an NFL center. People look to heavily at draft status. Just because you weren't a first doesn't mean you're bad.

[b]Anyways, Gaither will be gone. We have a team-first mentality in Baltimore, and by whining about wanting to play LT, Gaither is disrespecting that mentality. Personally, I wouldn't care if I player RT or LT, either way I get to smack somebody right?[/b]
[/quote]

If that's the case then Ed Reed disrespected the team-first mentality 10 times worse last offseason.

Gaither wants to play LT and not RT because it's viewed as a demotion. Not only is it viewed as a demotion but he's clearly the best LT on the team. So saying if you were a player you wouldn't care is not that simple. Also, Gaither feels as a player that he's coming into his own as an NFL LT. Remember coming into the NFL Gaither only had about 4 years of overall football experience, as he was a full time basketball player. So Gaither doesn't see it wise to learn a new position in RT at this point of his develop. I personally agree.

The Ravens say they moved Gaither to RT for injury concerns, but it conveniently happened the offseason before the team would have had to either pay Gaither to be the long term LT or he walks.

Mike Oher was already paid millions of dollars as a 1st round selection, up until that point in the offseason, Gaither was viewed by many as being a top 10, if not top 5 LT, with the potential to continue to grow. All he did was dominate when he was on the field, even with one arm in 2008. Yet he was making about 350,000 dollars and saw the team position themselves to not have to pay him what he was worth. You telling me that wouldn't get you upset as a man?

Gaither has never said one bad word about the team, coaches, or organization. All the negativity has come from fans and the media. From last offseason to this one, all Gaither has said is he wants to be a Raven, and how it loves it in Baltimore.

[flynismo]

[quote name='Ravensfan23' timestamp='1311378265' post='711584']<br />I don't think anyone will offer him much more then that. I actually think the Ravens might just have the best offer on the table for Gaither when it's all said and done. <br /><br />As good as Rosenhaus is, I don't think he'll be good enough to convince a team to break the bank on Giather. Now some teams will be able to spend more because they have to get their payroll up, but most of those team are none playoff teams. With Gaither's apparent desire to stay in Baltimore and our Super Bowl expectations, I don't think he'll join a lesser team just for a few buck more then the Ravens. <br /><br />The Lockout really hurts the FA players, but it hurts a guy like Gaither the most. Because he has only play one full season in his 4 year career. Any team looking to sign Gaither will be signing him off of pure potential. If you're a up and coming team like TB, do you put huge money into a young still developing LT who has only played one full season in 4 years? If you are a team like the Pats who's losing a veteran OT in Light, do you place enough trust into a guy like Gaither to stay healthy? <br /><br />Because I don't see many teams offering him more then what the Ravens will, I think Giather will probably come back to Baltimore for about 3-4 million with incentive that could put him up to about 7-9 million. <br /><br />In this case the lockout may have actually help the Ravens.<br />[/quote]


redskins want yanda and gaither. I would never bet against Dan Snyder grossly over paying for someone he wants.

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='flynismo' timestamp='1311379765' post='711596']
redskins want yanda and gaither. I would never bet against Dan Snyder grossly over paying for someone he wants.
[/quote]

I honestly think that Gaither would stay in Baltimore for a fair deal and the opportunity to play LT.

That's just based off what I've heard and read from him. I know who his agent is, I know about the negative vibe surrounding Gaither in Baltimore.

But I can only take him at his words, and everything has been he wants to return to Baltimore of a fair deal. Fair deal being my words not his.

[Guest ArmyRaven52]

Ok if Gaither is Elite than is elite top 3? top 5? top10? And somebody said top OL again what is elite because if it is top 10 OL he is not elite. When healthy if it is just tackles I am not sure he makes top 5 and if he does he squeeks out the 5th spot, but top 3 isn't even closed. Just want to know for clarification.

[The Raven]

[quote name='Ravensfan23' timestamp='1311379647' post='711594']
If that's the case then Ed Reed disrespected the team-first mentality 10 times worse last offseason.

Gaither wants to play LT and not RT because it's viewed as a demotion. Not only is it viewed as a demotion but he's clearly the best LT on the team. So saying if you were a player you wouldn't care is not that simple. Also, Gaither feels as a player that he's coming into his own as an NFL LT. Remember coming into the NFL Gaither only had about 4 years of overall football experience, as he was a full time basketball player. So Gaither doesn't see it wise to learn a new position in RT at this point of his develop. I personally agree.

The Ravens say they moved Gaither to RT for injury concerns, but it conveniently happened the offseason before the team would have had to either pay Gaither to be the long term LT or he walks.

Mike Oher was already paid millions of dollars as a 1st round selection, up until that point in the offseason, Gaither was viewed by many as being a top 10, if not top 5 LT, with the potential to continue to grow. All he did was dominate when he was on the field, even with one arm in 2008. Yet he was making about 350,000 dollars and saw the team position themselves to not have to pay him what he was worth. You telling me that wouldn't get you upset as a man?

Gaither has never said one bad word about the team, coaches, or organization. All the negativity has come from fans and the media. From last offseason to this one, all Gaither has said is he wants to be a Raven, and how it loves it in Baltimore.
[/quote]

Well, I am player, so it's relatively that simple for me. I've had my postion changed, did I complain? No. I had a teammate get moved from LT to LG because he was short. He was then named an All-State Guard. Even though it's only highschool ball, the principle is still the same. You DONT quit on your team. What I think is also interesting is how he "got injured" and lost weight (whether he was really hurt on not) after he got moved to RT. How very ironic. What kind of team player does that? Answer me that sirs.

Also, Gaither has to say he wants to be a Raven, its a bargaining tactic to get money, and make himself look better.

[Guest ArmyRaven52]

[quote name='The Raven' timestamp='1311380647' post='711608']
Well, I am player, so it's relatively that simple for me. I've had my postion changed, did I complain? No. I had a teammate get moved from LT to LG because he was short. He was then named an All-State Guard. Even though it's only highschool ball, the principle is still the same. You DONT quit on your team. What I think is also interesting is how he "got injured" and lost weight (whether he was really hurt on not) after he got moved to RT. How very ironic. What kind of team player does that? Answer me that sirs.

Also, Gaither has to say he wants to be a Raven, its a bargaining tactic to get money, and make himself look better.
[/quote]

The difference is your friend didn't lose 2-5 million for it, if he did you would see a bit more complaining out of him. I imagine you would to if it cost you money.

[The Raven]

[quote name='ArmyRaven52' timestamp='1311380816' post='711610']
The difference is your friend didn't lose 2-5 million for it, if he did you would see a bit more complaining out of him. I imagine you would to if it cost you money.
[/quote]

Idk, he and I would just be happy to be getting PAID to play FOOTBALL. Anyways, this is a topic much discussed, and it never gets anywhere. We all have our own opinion.

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='The Raven' timestamp='1311380647' post='711608']
Well, I am player, so it's relatively that simple for me. I've had my postion changed, did I complain? No. I had a teammate get moved from LT to LG because he was short. He was then named an All-State Guard. Even though it's only highschool ball, the principle is still the same. You DONT quit on your team. What I think is also interesting is how he "got injured" and lost weight (whether he was really hurt on not) after he got moved to RT. How very ironic. What kind of team player does that? Answer me that sirs.

[b]Also, Gaither has to say he wants to be a Raven, its a bargaining tactic to get money, and make himself look better.[/b]
[/quote]

Gaither doesn't have to say anything. He can just sit back and await for things to play out. Or he could try to do as many interviews as he can, stating how he's healthy and ready to go for who ever wants to sign him. He could say, I loved my time in Baltimore and would like to go back there, but the NFL is a business and I'm ready to play for anyone. There are many things Gaither could say, and to be honest, him saying how much he loves Baltimore, might even work against him in negotiations, because the Ravens will use that and say, prove how bad you wanna be here.

As for you being a players, HS football isn't even close to the Arena League Football let alone the NFL.

As for the weight loss, some of you guys gotta stop being so drama thirsty and feeding into the media so much. Within days of reporting to camp, Gaither admitted that he intented to lost a few pounds in preparation of a great season and hopefully a injury free one, but he allowed his weight to get away from him. He admitted it as a mistake. Yet people wanna still say, he only did it because he didn't want to play RT.

Well if that was the case, why wouldn't he try to convince the Ravens that he could be effective at 311 pounds, instead of admitting it to be a mistake. Why wouldn't he point out all the benefits of being a lighter guy? Instead he admits to a mistake and gets bashed for it.

Since you are a player, let me ask you this. If your coaches challenged you by suggesting a position change, would you just take it on the chin, or would you bust your butt and prove you're the best man for the job?

He's what gets me about your thinking and many others. If Gaither wanted to play LT so bad, or just didn't want to play RT that bad, and the coaches named his injury history as the chief reason for moving him........what would Gaither gain by faking a injury? Wouldn't that be proving the coaches right?

Oh you guys don't think I can stay healthy long enough to be a great LT. So let me fake a foot and back injury, miss the entire season in my contract year, and then go out and state publicly how much I love to be in Baltimore.

Sounds like a surefire way to get paid to me.

[Sunday QB]

Just let me ask this one simple question, is Gaither going to keep Joe from getting sacked? For the money that everyone is saying 7-9 million I would think there is a better work ethic out there.

[RoflDogs]

Damien Woody would be a great signing. Elite level RT would be great opposite Oher, and I bet we could get him for 2 years for about 10-12 million

[Sunday QB]

I heard the the Eagles are thinking of having Favre as a backup. What do you think of us talking him in to returning? Would this help joe progress? Hell yes!

None the less, I have been wanting Ray and Ed to return to the superbowl for a long time and I honestly think we need to bring in some new front lineman. I am not sure that Gaither or Orher will get them there.

Let some walk and bring in ones that have a chance to get them there, or lets find out if the boy's we been keeping behind the lines can help.

[Sunday QB]

I would like to see him at center this year and next and so on.

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='Sunday QB' timestamp='1311556292' post='712477']
Just let me ask this one simple question, is Gaither going to keep Joe from getting sacked? For the money that everyone is saying 7-9 million I would think there is a better work ethic out there.
[/quote]

Between the years of 2008-2009 Gaither allowed a total of 3 sacks. 1 in 08' and 2 in 09. I'd say it's a safe bet to think Gaither will help in preventing Joe from getting sacked as much.

And the 7-9 million people are talking about is incentive based, meaning if he work ethic and injury concern aren't satisfactory to the Ravens, he doesn't get that type of money.

Oh and that 1 sack he gave up in 2008. It didn't come against the likes of Harrison, Woodley, Ware, Mario Williams, Freeny, Mathis, Joey Porter, Haynesworth, Tuck or Osi, most of who he blocked with one healthy arm. No that one sack came against the Jaguars in the last game of the season.

I'd say if Gaither can stay healthy, the money would be well worth it.

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='Sunday QB' timestamp='1311556824' post='712484']
I heard the the Eagles are thinking of having Favre as a backup. What do you think of us talking him in to returning? Would this help joe progress? Hell yes!

[b]None the less, I have been wanting Ray and Ed to return to the superbowl for a long time and I honestly think we need to bring in some new front lineman. I am not sure that Gaither or Orher will get them there. [/b]

Let some walk and bring in ones that have a chance to get them there, or lets find out if the boy's we been keeping behind the lines can help.
[/quote]

You do know that going into the 2010 season the Baltimore Ravens oline was viewed as one of the best right?

It was just one down year. You don't blow everything up just because of one bad year. Oher had his struggles at LT, but he was a first year LT. Some shaky play should have been expected. Both Grubbs and Birk were injured much of the season, while he played really well, Yanda was out of position, and Chester just shouldn't have been starting at all, but when Cousins got hurt we really had not other choice.

Even if we have to go out with the same lineup this year, minus Chester, the Oline should be better.

But i'm curious, since you wanna blow up the offensive line, who do u suggest we replace those 5 guys with?

[Sunday QB]

I would like to see Clabo, Dahl, Light, mankin or maybe free. one or two of these would be nice I think.