Right Tackle

[Yatagarasu]

ESPN's John Clayton reports that the Raiders have decided against signing free agent OT Jared Gaither.
The Raiders put Gaither through an extensive medical checkup on Friday, but he apparently couldn't pass a physical. He didn't play a single down last year, so this has the look of a long-term problem. For a 25-year-old with All-Pro caliber talent as a left tackle, it's an awfully unfortunate situation.
Related: Raiders
Source: John Clayton on Twitter
Jul 30, 4:53 PM

Now how bad is this medical concern? We can take a chance and put him in PUP to strengthen his back. Then when playoff comes around we got a stack house at the O-line.

[Pedro Rhormes]

Our biggest need in my opinion is a Defensive End, than a good OLB and a veteran WR (thrusting in TE Ed Dickson). I like Cory Redding, but he isn't all that great. We need a big back playing with Ngata and Cody now.

Cullen Jenkins isn't a option anymore. Signed with Eagles. Babin either. I do understand that we have to wait for this crazy money party finishes but, we still got nothing besides cuts and re-signs. All the good players are getting away. Maybe after re-signing Ngata, its time to make a move.

Cornerback is not a concern either. We got Jimmy Smith, and Foxworth returning. Foxworth can bypass Josh Wilson presence. And Jimmy Smith adds a new shutdown in the team. We also re-signed Chris Carr and still got Cary Williams.

On the OL, even with Gaither gone, we got Reid at start (that is training in beast mode on) and Cousins.

Maybe after re-signing Ngata, let's get Mason back cheaper. And the snipe for a DE, than OLB.

[Gordo52]

Ozzie wouldnt trade up for someone who is to be a back up

[PuRock]

[quote name='uhhhh' timestamp='1312059665' post='727534']
Maybe he failed his physical.
[/quote]

He did.

[Ravenseconbeast]

LT position is even more a concern to me. I don't even care if Oher can't even block pass rushers (which he cant), he can't even contain himself from penalty on every critical 3rd downs.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='Ravenseconbeast' timestamp='1312070313' post='727813']
LT position is even more a concern to me. I don't even care if Oher can't even block pass rushers (which he cant), he can't even contain himself from penalty on every critical 3rd downs.
[/quote]

He obviously struggled last season. But let's not pretend he doesn't have the talent to improve.

[PuRock]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1312071054' post='727849']
He obviously struggled last season. But let's not pretend he doesn't have the talent to improve.
[/quote]

A lot of people are willing to understand that Joe can still improve. But with Oher it seems like everybody thinks he'll stink forever at LT. I'm not ready to give up hope. Its definitely obvious that he can excel as a RT, especially in the run game. But its still early in his career at LT.

[kiwi_raven]

first game he plays Reid will quiet all doubters.

[Yatagarasu]

[quote name='kiwi_raven' timestamp='1312072996' post='727912']
first game he plays Reid will quiet all doubters.
[/quote]

Reid vs. Woodley

That's a good matchup. I wonder how humble Woodley will get when he gets shut down by a rookie.

[Blex64]

[quote name='PuRock' timestamp='1312071526' post='727865']
A lot of people are willing to understand that Joe can still improve. But with Oher it seems like everybody thinks he'll stink forever at LT. I'm not ready to give up hope. Its definitely obvious that he can excel as a RT, especially in the run game. But its still early in his career at LT.
[/quote]

I have no doubt Oher can improve at LT. The Blind Side didn't get his name for playing on the right his whole career, and after playing a full season on the left he's only going to improve.

I think its more the fact that he's already an All-Pro RT, and Gaither, if healthy, is a top 10 LT (or higher). If its not broke, don't fix it and all that.

[uhhhh]

[quote name='kiwi_raven' timestamp='1312072996' post='727912']
first game he plays Reid will quiet all doubters.
[/quote]

Man, I almost forgot that the steelers are coming to town week 1. I hope he's ready.

[PurpleReign92]

[quote name='berad' timestamp='1312039037' post='726865']
On the roster, we've got Reid, Cousins, Moll, and Harewood. Harewood's still recovering from knee surgery. One of those guys really has to step up to prove to the coaches that they can start. If not, look for it to be a 2008 RT situation, maybe? Where we signed Willie Anderson after he was cut and plugged him in for a year, worked out fairly well.
[/quote]
In a worse case scenario or as a trick Oher or Ngata can play Right tackle as well...

[UxbridgeRaven]

[quote name='Corvus Amplus' timestamp='1312059885' post='727539']
ESPN's John Clayton reports that the Raiders have decided against signing free agent OT Jared Gaither.
The Raiders put Gaither through an extensive medical checkup on Friday, but he apparently couldn't pass a physical. He didn't play a single down last year, so this has the look of a long-term problem. For a 25-year-old with All-Pro caliber talent as a left tackle, it's an awfully unfortunate situation.
Related: Raiders
Source: John Clayton on Twitter
Jul 30, 4:53 PM

Now how bad is this medical concern? We can take a chance and put him in PUP to strengthen his back. Then when playoff comes around we got a stack house at the O-line.
[/quote]
From what I can remember we were trying to shop Gaither in the 2010 draft when we were short on picks and teams were reluctant as the feeling was he couldn't pass a physical. Whatever the problems are, I think they are pretty serious and known throughout the league.

It shows how dumb it was this time last year when people were suggesting Jared was more or less faking an injury because he didn't want to play right tackle and how necessary it was to get Michael Oher all the snaps we could at left tackle during training camp.

[ravensdfan]

I guess it is just me but for his first time playing LT in the NFL I don't think Oher was horrible enough for everyone to be like "omg, we need a LT!". I believe we were spoiled by Oher's rookie season at RT and expected the same performance when he was shifted to LT. I think he made progress as the season went on and expect him to be even better this season.

I like what I've seen of Reid so far, albeit just a peek. I think we have enough depth at RT that our O line play should be much improved this season.

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='ravensdfan' timestamp='1312114920' post='728291']
I guess it is just me but for his first time playing LT in the NFL I don't think Oher was horrible enough for everyone to be like "omg, we need a LT!". I believe we were spoiled by Oher's rookie season at RT and expected the same performance when he was shifted to LT. I think he made progress as the season went on and expect him to be even better this season.

I like what I've seen of Reid so far, albeit just a peek. I think we have enough depth at RT that our O line play should be much improved this season.
[/quote]

It's not just you, I agree. Oher wasn't that bad.

To piggy back off what you said, people were also spoiled by the stellar play over our entire history at LT. Remember LT was never a concern with JO and then Gaither came right in and dominated in 08'. So it's was more of a shock to see a LT struggle for us imo.

Oher has good technique and it'll only improve with more and more on field time. When you look at his 8 false start penalties, at least 3 of them weren't actually penalties.

Oher gets out of his stance so fast, it sometimes appears that he's offsides, when actually his reaction time to the snap was just quicker then everyone else. If Oher makes a habit of that, refs will start to understand that's just Oher getting off the snap quickly and the penalties won't be called as much.

[Guest RBates]

We need some quality depth on that o-line i said this last year. Bring in a right tackle and stop guessing. I would love to hear that we signed Gaither back. Bad work ethic or not, he's as good as any lineman that we have at what he does.

[1/28/01]

[quote name='RBates' timestamp='1312154452' post='729687']
We need some quality depth on that o-line i said this last year. Bring in a right tackle and stop guessing. I would love to hear that we signed Gaither back. Bad work ethic or not, he's as good as any lineman that we have at what he does.
[/quote]
Unfortunately, at this point, work ethic has little to do with it. Dude just can't pass a physical. Seems the back issue that so many doubted is indeed true and very serious. I would love to see Gaither back on the oline, but I highly doubt it happens.

[PWNEDbyDEANO]

[quote name='1/28/01' timestamp='1312155173' post='729707']
Unfortunately, at this point, work ethic has little to do with it. [b]Dude just can't pass a physical[/b]. Seems the back issue that so many doubted is indeed true and very serious. I would love to see Gaither back on the oline, but I highly doubt it happens.
[/quote]

Which is weird when you take into account his comments not all that long ago about how his back was all healed up and he was healthy again. I think the strongest case for his return here is that he probably doesn't have many, if any, other options. Although, there isn't anything which really suggests we're actually at all interested in bringing him back which doesn't make sense to me.

[izvoodoo]

Oher's the worst LT we've ever had because honestly this franchise has been remarkably blessed with insanely talented LTs Jonathan Ogden and Jared Gaither.

That being said, Michael oher is still the best lineman in his draft class and can become an excellent talent in the NFL given good coaching.

Raiders also passed on Gaither, so not sure what's going on there.

[1/28/01]

[quote name='PWNEDbyDEANO' timestamp='1312155538' post='729717']
Which is weird when you take into account his comments not all that long ago about how his back was all healed up and he was healthy again. I think the strongest case for his return here is that he probably doesn't have many, if any, other options. Although, there isn't anything which really suggests we're actually at all interested in bringing him back which doesn't make sense to me.
[/quote]
Only makes sense if the Ravens medical staff knows the truth about his current status. I assume they do, hence no reports about us pursuing him.

[Guest RBates]

[quote name='1/28/01' timestamp='1312155173' post='729707']
Unfortunately, at this point, work ethic has little to do with it. Dude just can't pass a physical. Seems the back issue that so many doubted is indeed true and very serious. I would love to see Gaither back on the oline, but I highly doubt it happens.
[/quote]
What do you think we should do about this lacking O-line depth? We can't start the season with the line we have now. I watched those guys get bullied last year. Leach is a good blocker in the run and pass, but I need someone to take the pressure=(Woodley & Harrison) off of Flacco.

[1/28/01]

[quote name='RBates' timestamp='1312163922' post='729974']
What do you think we should do about this lacking O-line depth? We can't start the season with the line we have now. I watched those guys get bullied last year. Leach is a good blocker in the run and pass, but I need someone to take the pressure=(Woodley & Harrison) off of Flacco.
[/quote]
I agree 100% in that we cannot field the same oline (personnel and position played) as we did last year. But, hopefully with Yanda back at RG and another year under Oher's belt, we fair a lot better! Now, of course that's the worst case scenario. I still hold out hope that Ozzie has his eye on a few OT's to either 1) put Oher back at RT after signing a LT or 2) plug someone in at RT and have a more confident Oher at LT.

[PWNEDbyDEANO]

[quote name='1/28/01' timestamp='1312156031' post='729731']
Only makes sense if the Ravens medical staff knows the truth about his current status. I assume they do, hence no reports about us pursuing him.
[/quote]

Yeah, agreed. If the coaches decide to go down the route of bringing in a free agent to play RT this year while Reid gets accustomed to the NFL (maybe not necessary, but preferable), I wouldn't mind giving Ryan Harris a one year contract. He and Clady were at one point considered bookends for the Broncos so he obviously has some talent.

[SecretAgentMan]

[quote name='PWNEDbyDEANO' timestamp='1312191306' post='730235']
Yeah, agreed. If the coaches decide to go down the route of bringing in a free agent to play RT this year while Reid gets accustomed to the NFL (maybe not necessary, but preferable), I wouldn't mind giving Ryan Harris a one year contract. He and Clady were at one point considered bookends for the Broncos so he obviously has some talent.
[/quote]
Not a bad Idea, but I want to give former Squeeler Max Starks a chance, let him get his revenge on the squeelers, a one year contract shouldn't be to bad

[PuRock]

[quote name='Mr. Irrelevant' timestamp='1312210306' post='730439']
Not a bad Idea, but I want to give former Squeeler Max Starks a chance, let him get his revenge on the squeelers, a one year contract shouldn't be to bad
[/quote]

Definitely sounds like a Willie Anderson type guy. Played for a divisional rival, overweight. He is coming off neck surgery. But if you can bring him in, and if the offensive line starts to struggle. Put Starks at LT and move Oher to RT.

[PWNEDbyDEANO]

[quote name='Mr. Irrelevant' timestamp='1312210306' post='730439']
Not a bad Idea, but I want to give former Squeeler Max Starks a chance, let him get his revenge on the squeelers, a one year contract shouldn't be to bad
[/quote]

Yeah that would be OK. A vet who is proven at LT. Not too many of them on the roster at the moment.

[izvoodoo]

[quote name='PuRock' timestamp='1312210672' post='730451']
Definitely sounds like a Willie Anderson type guy. Played for a divisional rival, overweight. He is coming off neck surgery. But if you can bring him in, and if the offensive line starts to struggle. Put Starks at LT and move Oher to RT.
[/quote]

at no point in time was Starks as good as Oher at LT. Starks is far below average where as oher is somewhere in the middle.