I don't know if Jared Gaither suddenly becomes an answer to a Trivial Pursuit: the Baltimore Ravens Edition question, but he'll get first crack at the left tackle job vacated by Hall of Famer Jonathan Ogden when he announced his retirement earlier this week. Gaither, a fifth-round supplemental pick last July, entered the NFL amid all sorts of questions, both good and bad. On the upside, he's 6-9, 320 pounds and has plenty of quickness for a big guy. But he also failed out of Maryland, and only managed 15 reps of 225 during his Pro Day workout (Brady Quinn, by comparison, does 15 as part of his pre-warmup routine).
Gaither started two games last season, and the Ravens front office is intrigued by his potential. Of course, it's not clear if Gaither is truly dedicated to football, which is kinda worth knowing before giving him the job of protecting the quarterback's blind side.
Baltimore featured one of the youngest offensive lines in the league last season, and the inexperience showed. That said, this unit could evolve into a very competent group, which should make Joe Flacco very happy. In the meantime, Kyle Boller will have to pay the price for progress, in the form of a crapload of sacks. Thanks, dude.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
6-14-2008 @ 11:33PM
George B Vieto said...
Poor Kyle Boller. He will be sacked so often by a young offensive line.
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6-18-2008 @ 3:02PM
Katie said...
New blood can be a really great thing for a club... I just hope that the Ravens can use this to mold a great player rather than have our QB get killed...
I found a video on Comcast Sportsnet Mid Atlantic site on Rex Ryan's thoughts on the rookies... take a look
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6-29-2008 @ 3:18AM
bigmike4305 said...
Gaither is a beast with a capital B, did any body see him toss A.Carter from the redskins like a doll last year.He is young so what. In all my years of watching football I have never seen a big guy move like he does(also played tight end in high school).He was a basketball star(good footwork) in high school and broke jeff green's (Seattle Supersonics) teeth right out his mouth with a drop step and actually almost took a basketball offer form South Carolina before changeing his mind to play for sorry maryland(should have gone to penn state with derrick williams). In 2 years this kid will be the best thing baltimore will have he will make ozzi newsome look like a zenmaster for taking him with a supplemental pick. he was also teammates with Derick Harvey (1st rd pick of Jacksonville)and will shut him down when they meet.You clowns need to stop playing madden and watch some real football. This Kid is the Next Big Thing.... Period
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6-29-2008 @ 3:25AM
bigmike4305 said...
I almost forgot gaither only had 4 days to get ready for his workout and had a bum shoulder that is the reason for the 15 reps
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