Ravens Draft Gaither [Archive] - Baltimore Ravens Forums and Message Boards

TL24x7

07-12-2007, 02:39 PM

RAVENS DRAFT MARYLAND’S GAITHER

The Baltimore Ravens selected Maryland’s outstanding tackle Jared Gaither in today’s NFL Supplemental Draft. Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome selected Gaither with the 31st pick in the fifth round. (Choosing Gaither now replaces the Ravens’ 5th-round selection in the 2008 NFL Draft). Gaither, 6-9 and 340 pounds, started 17 of his final 21 games at either right or left tackle in his freshman and sophomore seasons for the Terps.

Newsome had this to say about drafting Gaither: “First, this is another very good job done by Eric (DeCosta) and our scouts working year-round to improve our team. They were able to put together thorough evaluations on what Jared had done so far at Maryland. Also, give some credit to Steve (Bisciotti) who set me up with Ralph Friedgen. Ralph thinks highly of the young man, and gave excellent background on him,” Newsome said. “Jared has a chance to play in this league, even at a high level. It would have been interesting to see how high he would have gone in the draft had he played one or two more seasons at Maryland. He’s got size and ability. He wants to start working with us right away and our coaches will make that happen.”

Sephy

07-12-2007, 03:02 PM

This is huge! In the FIFTH round? For future pro bowl potential, this is a masterstroke by Ozzie and co.

RavenScallywag

07-12-2007, 03:14 PM

Losac

07-12-2007, 03:18 PM

Good to see the Maryland boys playing for the home team!

PurpleRulz

07-12-2007, 03:45 PM

Good to see the Maryland boys playing for the home team!

And I hope someone does not come on here saying that Maryland is more of a DC school than Baltimore school. It is the University of MARYLAND, and not the University of D.C. (which is an actual school). This kid benched 225 thirty times and has been compared to JO and Marcus McNeil. Also, his grades suffered because he did not attend class and not because of his intelligence. I think we have something here with this kid.

With Troy Smith, Antwaan Barnes, Prescott Burgess, and now Jared Gaither, the 4th quarter of our Preseason games are going to be very interesting.

WhiskeyRaven

07-12-2007, 05:12 PM

stroke of genius by the wizard of oz. at worst, he's a starter in year two. don't forget the kid is young. had he stayed in school, most experts feel he could have been a first-rounder. plus, he doesn't have to play at all this year.

jonboy79

07-12-2007, 05:43 PM

I was as big a proponent as any, btu aat worst the guy is Mike Williams, he truly could flop and flail. But, IMO his ceiling is as high as there is, and that is a huge value at this position. BY '09, IMO he will be a solid to potentially great RT, that can slide to the left if necessary. If that is true, that would be unbelieveable value.
This continues one HECK of a youth movement on the OL, and alos one HECK of a "Draft". I could easily see every single player we have drafted this year in potential contributing roles. Burgess, and Smith, and Gaither have the highest chance of becoming nobodies, funny thing, they also require the least to obtain, and retain. Ozzie is the man.

awalt

07-12-2007, 06:42 PM

This kid benched 225 thirty times and has been compared to JO and Marcus McNeil.

I am as excited as any, but he benched only 16 times in his workout on Monday, so he is in bad shape right now. Don't expect much of him for quite awhile, as he learns the system and gets himself into shape. He is an investment for the future.

He was also the last MD player to make a roster, let's hope Gaither can do that too.

I assume you mean last Terp to make a Ravens roster, as there are about 30 Terps in the NFL right now. But you are forgetting TE Rob Abiamiri is on our roster right now, he's a Terp.

jonboy79

07-12-2007, 06:49 PM

I am as excited as any, but he benched only 16 times in his workout on Monday, so he is in bad shape right now. Don't expect much of him for quite awhile, as he learns the system and gets himself into shape. He is an investment for the future.

From what I read a poor number was expected due to a recent shoulder injury that was thought to be pretty much harmless over the next coupel fo months.

Tspot-D-Ravenator

07-12-2007, 09:41 PM

Fcowher

07-13-2007, 08:27 AM

To get him for a 5th is incredible. If he turns into a servicable LT for the next 5 to 10 years this will be an incredible steal for Ozzie. If he matures into his massive frame both physically and mentally and makes a few pro bowls then this could go down as the best steal in Ravens draft history.

UKRaven

07-13-2007, 08:52 AM

Does anyone have the 'skinny' on his apparent lack of academic skill?
Is he 'thick as a house-brick' or just has issues?

Is he a Ravens fan ?

Gabrosin

07-13-2007, 10:02 AM

Does anyone have the 'skinny' on his apparent lack of academic skill?
Is he 'thick as a house-brick' or just has issues?

Is he a Ravens fan ?

I'd rather have him be an idiot than lazy, but if his grades suffered because he just didn't care enough to go to class, then he's lazy. But being academically lazy and physically lazy are two very different things. I like his potential and I think he's a great fit for a draft pick that late, but I'm skeptical about his desire to work to be great. Still, a little time with Ray might inspire some of that. I'll keep watching.

pyite32

07-13-2007, 10:05 AM

My message will be a little more toned down than the rest of you...

I like that we got this guy in the 5th, I was worried that we would reach for him. In my opinion a 4th would have been too high, since we now forfeit the corresponding pick in the draft next year.

I think this guy has a lot of potential, however I also wonder about his discipline with failing out. UMD has an entire +1Mil department designed to do nothing but make sure the athletes are passing. So these guys really have to try to fail.

I like the gamble in the 5th round and I hope he pans out. Plus we should be getting a ton of compensatory picks in this years draft anyway.

deuce

07-13-2007, 10:38 AM

Gaither was at least man enough to admit he was the one who messed up, not the $1 Million academic "help" dept. Most athletes always blame the school, coaches, anybody but themselves. So I was glad to read this:

"I take full responsibility for those actions," Gaither said. "Maryland gave me every chance that they could possibly give me.

"The work kind of got piled up on me coming in and playing as a true freshman and not being able to redshirt. It was kind of a shock. That kind of hurt my grades early on, and I think it was an uphill battle from there. I feel I learned a lesson: I always can work harder."

perryw9202

07-13-2007, 10:44 AM

Hey, does anyone know how many OL the Ravens generally keep? I count 11 on the roster now and I suspect 1 (Ndukwe) will be released.

Ogden
Brown
Flynn
Vincent
Terry
Rimpf
Chester
Grubbs
Yanda
Ndukwe
Gaither

thundrbandit13

07-13-2007, 10:57 AM

I'm more suprised that the Ravens actually took someone from MD in the draft!

The last MD player we took in the draft...Jermaine Lewis. He was also the last MD player to make a roster, let's hope Gaither can do that too.

I believe there have been others who have been drafted since Jermaine Lewis who have made a roster... just off the top of my head
Chad Scott (1997) Steelers
Lamont Jordan (2001) Jets
E.J. Hendersen (2003)
Randy Starks 2004 (Tennessee)
Shawn Merriman 2005 San diego
Vernon Davis 2006 San francisco
Most Not only made their perspective teams but also made an impact for those teams if I am not mistaken

jonboy79

07-13-2007, 11:13 AM

Domanique Foxworth... Soon to be Josh Wilson...

pyite32

07-13-2007, 11:15 AM

I could be wrong here, but I have a hard time believing that we keep 10 lineman on the 45 man active roster.

I am worried that if we put Gaither on the practice squad he will be as good as gone. Even though he would have to start that next game for whatever team takes him.

Does anyone know how many lineman we carried on the active roster last year?

pyite32

07-13-2007, 11:18 AM

Found it

This is from 9/3 last year

"The Ravens are thin on depth, though, keeping just eight offensive linemen on the active roster."

Rochardrik

07-13-2007, 11:29 AM

Does anyone have the 'skinny' on his apparent lack of academic skill?
Is he 'thick as a house-brick' or just has issues?

Is he a Ravens fan ?

No, he played as a freshman, which most don't, and his time for studies suffered as a result!

Rochardrik

07-13-2007, 11:31 AM

I believe there have been others who have been drafted since Jermaine Lewis who have made a roster... just off the top of my head
Chad Scott (1997) Steelers
Lamont Jordan (2001) Jets
E.J. Hendersen (2003)
Randy Starks 2004 (Tennessee)
Shawn Merriman 2005 San diego
Vernon Davis 2006 San francisco
Most Not only made their perspective teams but also made an impact for those teams if I am not mistaken

D'Qwell Jackson

deuce

07-13-2007, 11:40 AM

Here is a list since Jermaine Lewis...not too shabby...

Year Round Pick Player Name Team Position
2007 2 23 55 Josh Wilson Seahawks DB
4 2 101 Adam Podlesh Jaguars P
2006 1 6 6 Vernon Davis 49ers TE
2 2 34 D'Qwell Jackson Browns LB
7 24 232 Gerrick McPhearson Giants DB
2005 1 12 12 Shawne Merriman Chargers LB
3 33 97 Domonique Foxworth Broncos DB
2004 2 24 56 Madieu Williams Bengals DB
3 8 71 Randy Starks Titans DT
4 16 112 Leon Joe Bears LB
7 19 220 Jeff Dugan Vikings TE
7 41 242 Bruce Perry Eagles RB
2003 2 8 40 E.J. Henderson Vikings LB
2002 3 11 76 Melvin Fowler Browns C
3 18 83 Charles Hill Texans DT
7 42 253 Matt Murphy Lions TE
2001 2 13 44 Kris Jenkins Panthers DT
2 18 49 LaMont Jordan Jets RB
2000 4 1 95 Lewis Sanders Browns DB
7 10 216 Delbert Cowsette Redskins DT
1999 5 13 146 Eric Barton Raiders LB
6 18 187 Kendall Ogle Browns LB
1998 6 10 163 Eric Ogbogu Jets DT
1997 1 24 24 Chad Scott Steelers DB
1996 5 21 153 Jermaine Lewis Ravens WR

perryw9202

07-13-2007, 11:42 AM

Well if it was only 8 and let's say they go to 9.. Ndukwe's gone.. he was a mid season pickup anyway. And Rimpf? What's his status?

The trouble with that many OL is they don't generally play coverage teams. The 300 plus guys just don't get down the field.

Gwaihir

07-13-2007, 11:52 AM

I think the Ravens generally keep 9 offensive Linemen. Last year they were set up for 9, but Rimpf went down for the year and they decided to go with 8 since they really didn't have anyone to fill the ninth slot that could play in a pinch.

perryw9202

07-13-2007, 01:28 PM

I read in the article below that not only do the teams that take a selection in the supplemental draft have to give up that corresponding pick next year, but they also have to fit the signing in under the already assigned 2007 Rookie Salary cap. This probably and the year less exposure explain a bit why these guys fall to the rounds they do. I think he was a steal.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2930513

jonboy79

07-13-2007, 01:43 PM

Hmmm.. a fairly relaible source on "the other baord" IWS, stated that the Rookie pool gets adjsuted to accomodate the player. He could be wrong, but I have seen him prove journalists wrong before as well...

PurpleRulz

07-13-2007, 04:29 PM

I am as excited as any, but he benched only 16 times in his workout on Monday, so he is in bad shape right now. Don't expect much of him for quite awhile, as he learns the system and gets himself into shape. He is an investment for the future.

Yes. He did bench only 16 reps in his recent workout in which he was reportedly in "poor condition." The info I got was from a scouting report and from an earlier workout (I believe during his freshman year). I can't post article, because it was a subscription article. I should have been more specific as to when he benched the 30 reps of 225.

As exciting a prospect as Gaither is, we should not expect to see him on the field this year. I think he makes the roster (unless he does not care), but will be a weekly inactive.

PurpleRulz

07-13-2007, 04:35 PM

Gaither is the next Jonathan Ogden...Only in the eyes of Ravens fan..:eyes: Let's not get too carried away with this people! Everyone here in the Land Of Pleasant Living, always wants to make possible players into Hall of Famers:nerd: Let's see what Gaither has got before we dub him the next J.O..OK?:rolleyes:

If Gaither becomes half the player Ogden was/is, then it still makes this a total steal. Although you are correct, you can't fault folks for hoping for the best. After all, the word "fan" is short for fanatic.

Sports Steve

07-13-2007, 05:45 PM

This is real BIG. Also nothing lost for a 5th rounder. The OZ did it again guys. Our OL is starting to shape up real fast.

Way to go OZZIE :thumbup:

:jester: :jester:

RavensNTerps

07-15-2007, 11:27 AM

GreenWave52

07-15-2007, 08:22 PM

I step away for the summer and look what happens. I never thought Gaither could be had for a fifth, so I just assumed a more desperate team (the Giants) would overpay with something like a third rounder. I think for the typeof prospect he is talent wise a fifth rounder is a pitance to pay. Great job by Ozzie and Decosta.

Now have at least 3 pure tackles (Ogden, Terry, Gaither) and someone who most of us feel is a tackle in Yanda, and someone who could potentially playin a pinch in Rimpf. This is may be the best I have ever felt about our much neglected (pre-Decosta) o-line.

Can't wait for camp!

RavenScallywag

07-16-2007, 11:46 AM

no, i know many MD players make rosters, but the last MD player to make a RAVENS 53 MAN ROSTER was Jermaine Lewis.

Rob Abiamiri has not made the 53 man roster, he's been on P SQ, unless I am mistaken.

And even if Gaither goes Mike Williams on us...he was a 5th rounder! Seriously, this is a low risk, high reward pick. If he doesn't pan out, we didn't waste much at all, especially considering our potential comp pick for AD next year.