Gaither's growing pains
Jared Gaither's ascent to become Jonathan Ogden's successor at left tackle for the Ravens continues to have its share of bumps.
Gaither, who was picked up in the supplemental draft after losing his eligibility at Maryland as a sophomore, was penciled in as the starter when Ogden officially announced his retirement in June. When Gaither and Adam Terry both sustained injuries early in training camp, the Ravens scrambled to sign Oakland Raiders castoff Chad Slaughter.
Slaughter did reasonably well in his first start against the New England Patriots, his first live action since getting cut in training camp by the Raiders last year. Terry seems to be closer to getting back than Gaither, a player who has tested the patience of the new coaching staff at times with his lack of maturity.
It surfaced again today during the team's morning workout at McDaniel College.
The offensive line was already doing position drills, with Terry watching nearby, when Gaither walked out onto the field. He tried to say something to offensive line coach John Matsko, but the veteran assistant didn't want to hear any excuses, pointing out that Terry had been there earlier than Gaither to receive treatment, thus being able to get on the practice field with the team.
Matsko declined to comment after practice about the exchange. Gaither is still clearly in the Ravens plans as soon as he's healthy, but if Slaughter continues to get his conditioning back after sitting out last season, the seven-year veteran could likely be the team's starting left tackle for the first game of the regular season against Cincinnati.
Comments
Maybe the Ravens need to invest in a mentor like JO to teach this young boy what to do and where to be in order to make him a man in the NFL.
Posted by: Chippage | August 9, 2008 1:42 PM
Look again the blame for all of this falls squarely on the shoulders of OZZIE NEWSOME. If he thought for one minute that gaither and terry were going to man the offensive tackle positions on this team then he was smoking some very good weed in the off season.Ozzie knew this position was weak even if those two guys were 100% healthy,and all he did in the entire off season and draft was to pick cousins. Gaither was immature when he played at Md so while he probalby was still worth 5th round supplemental pick he certainly couldn't be expected to take over a position that ranks second to Qb in importance in the NFL. So the coaches and the front office can get as made as they want but they only have themselves to blame for putting a patch work line out there.
Posted by: bob lancione | August 9, 2008 1:49 PM
Why should we be suprised that a kid who flunked out of college, especially at a school where academic support for athletes is taken as seriously as Maryland, is showing maturity problems? I hope grows up quickly because he could be the next great left takle.
Posted by: UT Cal | August 9, 2008 1:58 PM
He will be fine. Just give him sometime.
Posted by: Stevers | August 9, 2008 3:46 PM
Been saying it since last year. This kids a bum and needs his a** kicked. He does not have the drive to be on this team and there is no way the players have respect for him.
He is not what Ravens football is. Get rid of him and get someone who wants to play here.
Posted by: Mike | August 9, 2008 4:54 PM
I am very disappointed in this kid. At MD he showed signs that he could be a force in the NFL. Physically he has all the tools but mentally he is lacking and his work ethic stinks.
Posted by: Brian | August 9, 2008 6:55 PM
yeah lets get rid of as many possible starters as we can
because the depth behind them is good.
did you see the scrubs blocking for Flacco?
you'd be willing to lose Gaither just to send a message?
Some of our fans are just brilliant
Posted by: gus | August 9, 2008 8:44 PM
Every little problem comes up is always OZZIE FAULT. What I saw thurs was a lot of vet depth in the secondairy . The washingtons, Walkers and Lenards just didn't pick us to play for . I stayed up for the whole monday night game last year with the sqweelers thowing td after td.There's only so much cap money to play with, and this team does a good job with it. The great Phil Savage would love to have some of the vets we have now in our secondairy.AND THEY HAVE 20 MIL IN CAP! But thats the nfl. JUST TRY TO BE A REAL FAN!
Posted by: Anonymous | August 10, 2008 11:32 AM