Oliver to Chargers, Gaither to Ravens

[ABQCOWBOY]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2934052

Georgia's Oliver, Maryland's Gaither chosen in supplemental draft
By John Clayton
ESPN.com
(Archive)
Updated: July 12, 2007, 2:16 PM ET
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The San Diego Chargers selected Georgia cornerback Paul Oliver in the fourth-round of the supplemental draft.

In doing so, the Chargers will give up a fourth-round choice in next year's draft. Oliver left Georgia early because of grade problems. He was expected to be one of the top corners in the 2008 draft.

His recent 40 time in the high 4.5s may have scared away a couple of teams, but the Chargers were looking for depth at the cornerback position. Starting cornerback Drayton Florence is a free agent after this season. Oliver would have the chance to learn cornerback and maybe help in the nickel pass defense over the next couple of years.

The Chargers liked the player skills. They recently did a background check and liked what they learned.

The Baltimore Ravens selected Maryland tackle Jared Gaither in the fifth-round of Thursday's supplemental draft.

The Ravens worked him out right before the draft. They liked his size and speed. He's close to 6-9 and 325 pounds. He ran well at a workout Tuesday, timing around five seconds.

I think I might have considered either one of these guys at those spots.

 

[AtlCB]

I'm surprised Oliver went to San Diego. With his lack of speed, it just doesn't seem like a good fit for their scheme.

I think Baltimore got great value with their pick of Gaither in the 5th. Character concerns must have scared most teams away.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

I'm surprised Oliver went to San Diego. With his lack of speed, it just doesn't seem like a good fit for their scheme.

I think Baltimore got great value with their pick of Gaither in the 5th. Character concerns must have scared most teams away.

At worst, I see Oliver as a Nickle Corner or possibly even a FS prospect. As a FS, he's got elite skills IMO. I think SD would be happy to get either with a 4th round pick. I think it was a very solid choice for them. The interesting thing to me is that neither San Diego nor Baltimore had very high picks in the 4th or 5th. Great value for both IMO.

 

[adamknite]

At worst, I see Oliver as a Nickle Corner or possibly even a FS prospect. As a FS, he's got elite skills IMO. I think SD would be happy to get either with a 4th round pick. I think it was a very solid choice for them. The interesting thing to me is that neither San Diego nor Baltimore had very high picks in the 4th or 5th. Great value for both IMO.

I was thinking the same thing when I was reading the article you posted. The picks the Chargers and Ravens gave up were definitely worth whatever "risk" comes with each player.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

The interesting thing to me is that neither San Diego nor Baltimore had very high picks in the 4th or 5th.

Yeah, they should be, but we don't know that until the season is over...

Gaither sounds like a good bust candidate to me. Physical tools but lazy? Sounds like Soloman Page. I hope we never go back to those days.

 

[AmishCowboy]

I know he doesn't quite fit our scheme, but Oliver for a 4th wasn't bad, however didn't I see last week where Brian Stewart was impressed with Alan Ball?.

 

[CATCH17]

The Baltimore Ravens selected Maryland tackle Jared Gaither in the fifth-round of Thursday's supplemental draft.

The Ravens worked him out right before the draft. They liked his size and speed. He's close to 6-9 and 325 pounds. He ran well at a workout Tuesday, timing around five seconds

We shouldve jumped all over that.

5th rounder for that guy. Absolute steal for that kind of prospect in the 5th.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Yeah, they should be, but we don't know that until the season is over...

Gaither sounds like a good bust candidate to me. Physical tools but lazy? Sounds like Soloman Page. I hope we never go back to those days.

Well, I agree with the down side you mention but to me, we're talking about a 4th in the last part of the round and probably a 5th that will be in that same area. In last years draft, Fred Bennett from South Carolina was taken in the 4th round with the 24th pick. I would not say he is a more accomplished prospect then Oliver.

New England took Clint Oldenburg with the 35th pick of the 5th round last year. Again, I think Gaither is a better prospect. To me, it's upside more then anything. Your drafting guys who are probably going to be ST players and depth at that point in the draft, most times. To me, while each of these players have draw backs, each also has the possability of developing into a starter for you.

 

[joseephuss]

I'm surprised Oliver went to San Diego. With his lack of speed, it just doesn't seem like a good fit for their scheme.

I think Baltimore got great value with their pick of Gaither in the 5th. Character concerns must have scared most teams away.

What is their current scheme? With all of their coaches gone from last years team I really don't know what their current coaches will be doing on defense this upcoming season.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

What is their current scheme? With all of their coaches gone from last years team I really don't know what their current coaches will be doing on defense this upcoming season.

They're going to try to do exactly the same thing... They hired Cottrell, Wade's old assistant, to try to keep the D going. That should mean more man-to-man than you'd think they would want Oliver to play.

But I think he's just a backup/nickel guy anyway. Jammer and Cromartie are the obvious starters IMO.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

They're going to try to do exactly the same thing... They hired Cottrell, Wade's old assistant, to try to keep the D going. That should mean more man-to-man than you'd think they would want Oliver to play.

But I think he's just a backup/nickel guy anyway. Jammer and Cromartie are the obvious starters IMO.

Could be Lab. The other possability might be that San Diego drafted Oliver with an eye towards Safety. To me, Oliver is a real good prospect as an NFL Safety. Currently, I think the Chargers have McCree and Hart as there Safeties. They just drafted Weddle, who I believe is going to be a real good player for them. Oliver might fit well there for them.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Yeah, they should be, but we don't know that until the season is over...

Gaither sounds like a good bust candidate to me. Physical tools but lazy? Sounds like Soloman Page. I hope we never go back to those days.

can't really argue w/ Ozzie Newsome though

 

[Mr. Pigskin]

He is a solid kid. As someone who knows him personally, I think the Ravens got a good deal. He is a solid kid who was mishandled at Maryland.

 

[CrazyCowboy]

wow....that seems like too cheap ......both teams got good deals.

 

[joseephuss]

Yeah, they should be, but we don't know that until the season is over...

Gaither sounds like a good bust candidate to me. Physical tools but lazy? Sounds like Soloman Page. I hope we never go back to those days.

Except Dallas used a 2nd on Page while the Ravens are only out a 5th rounder.

 

[AbeBeta]

He is a solid kid. As someone who knows him personally, I think the Ravens got a good deal. He is a solid kid who was mishandled at Maryland.

I'd love some elaboration here.

Flunking out of school to me doesn't indicate bad character. It might. But it just as easily might indicate poor study habits.