PFT: A clue to why Jared Gaither is available

[WoodysGirl]

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on April 11, 2010 11:41 AM ET

There is an obvious red flag to any team that's interested in Ravens tackle Jared Gaither: Baltimore is willing to move him.

The Ravens know what a quality tackle looks like. The fact they are reportedly eager to deal Gaither for a second-round pick should create doubt in the minds of interested teams.

I've wondered why Baltimore was willing to part ways, and got a clue Sunday in the Baltimore Sun. Ken Murray refers to Gaither's "half-baked work ethic." (That's better than wake-n-baked work ethic.)

Gaither has put enough impressive play on film that he's still among the more likely veterans to get dealt on the draft's second day.

 

[jobberone]

They could just have somebody cheaper to take his place. But I agree the buyer needs to be aware.

 

[casmith07]

We could possibly deal for him during the draft if none of the OL we like are available, but I still think we're going to look for more interior linemen, and I don't think Gaither will want to play LG.

 

[theogt]

He likes the ganga, huh?

 

[Cowboys22]

I can't believe how many people can't understand what is going on with Gaither and the Ravens. The Ravens wanted to move him to RT and let their recent 1st round pick play LT. Gaither and his agent balked at this move because RTs make significantly less money than LTs. Basically, he won't re-sign with them for RT money so they will lose him for nothing when he becomes a FA. The Raven do not want to pay both tackles LT money so they want to get something of value for him while they can. This has all been reported by Balt media and its a fairly simple situation to understand. It may be true that he has a poor work ethic but that isn't why Balt wants to trade him. They would like to keep him to play RT and pay him like a RT but thats not going to happen so they want a good pick for him before he leaves as a FA.

 

[hornitosmonster]

I can't believe how many people can't understand what is going on with Gaither and the Ravens. The Ravens wanted to move him to RT and let their recent 1st round pick play LT. Gaither and his agent balked at this move because RTs make significantly less money than LTs. Basically, he won't re-sign with them for RT money so they will lose him for nothing when he becomes a FA. The Raven do not want to pay both tackles LT money so they want to get something of value for him while they can. This has all been reported by Balt media and its a fairly simple situation to understand. It may be true that he has a poor work ethic but that isn't why Balt wants to trade him. They would like to keep him to play RT and pay him like a RT but thats not going to happen so they want a good pick for him before he leaves as a FA.

Agree. Michael Oher should be starting at LT for them

 

[Chief]

Here's the Baltimore Sun article that is referred to in the PFT blurb:

Gaither and the draft

Supply will likely meet demand for offensive tackles at the top of the draft this month. At least three tackles -- Russell Okung of Oklahoma State, Trent Williams of Oklahoma and Bryan Bulaga of Iowa -- figure to be taken in the first 10 picks of the first round on April 22.

At least five teams in the first eight picks have need of one -- the Commanders (No. 4), Chiefs (5), Seahawks (6), Raiders (8) and Bills (9). The Lions, who pick second, also have a need, but may not be able to resist one of the two elite defensive tackles at the top.

But what about the teams that miss out? Do they go for high risk picks Bruce Campbell (Maryland) or Anthony Davis (Rutgers), or settle for a second-tier tackle like Charles Brown of USC?

Or maybe trade for the Ravens' Jared Gaither, who is believed to be available for the price of a second-round pick?

Consider this scenario making the rounds: Buffalo, which needs both a quarterback and a left tackle, takes quarterback Jimmy Clausen with its ninth pick and trades its second (No. 41 overall) to the Ravens for Gaither.

Or this scenario: Oakland takes Clausen at No. 8 and trades its second-round pick (No. 39 overall) to the Ravens for Gaither.

The Ravens should have takers for Gaither, if, in fact, they have had enough of his half-baked work ethic. Gaither would have a better starting point than raw rookies coming into the NFL, but those top rookies probably have a better long-term projection.

 

[CATCH17]

Like I said a week ago. Its not worth worrying about anymore until April 23rd.

If we trade for him it will be then. I imagine if Dallas doesn't get a Safety in Round 1 than Gaither will be a no go if he isn't already.

 

[Idgit]

He likes the ganga, huh?

That's what I thought he might be implying, too. Or was that supposed to be obvious?

 

[Arch Stanton]

That's what I thought he might be implying, too. Or was that supposed to be obvious?

I think it was a reference to Santonio Holmes.

 

[TheCount]

He likes the ganga, huh?

Yea, that confused me too. Is the point that he's lazy or that he's lazy and smokes weed?

Accusing a player of smoking weed with a joke like that is absolutely terrible journalism if it's untrue.

 

[ThreeSportStar80]

After thinking about this... NO team will let a future great LT get away via free agency IF he is truly worth keeping. I'd rather Dallas draft a LT or see IF Free can handle the left side.

 

[Cover 2]

I think he was just saying Gaither has poor work ethic. The wake n bake was making fun of Santonio Holmes putting that on his twitter or something like that even though he was already in the NFL's substance abuse program.

 

[ThreeSportStar80]

I think he was just saying Gaither has poor work ethic. The wake n bake was making fun of Santonio Holmes putting that on his twitter or something like that even though he was already in the NFL's substance abuse program.

Hmmm can poor work ethic be fixed, of course but you shouldn't have to tell a grown man who's making millions to work hard.

Exactly...

 

[Cover 2]

Hmmm can poor work ethic be fixed, of course but you shouldn't have to tell a grown man who's making millions to work hard.

Exactly...

I'd say the odds are against it.

 

[ThreeSportStar80]

I'd say the odds are against it.

I'm with you on that...

 

[theogt]

I think he was just saying Gaither has poor work ethic. The wake n bake was making fun of Santonio Holmes putting that on his twitter or something like that even though he was already in the NFL's substance abuse program.

The half-baked quote is in the original article.

If the author wasn't trying to imply Gaither smokes weed and has a poor work ethic because of it, he did a huge disservice to Gaither.

 

[Manwiththeplan]

It may be true that he has a poor work ethic but that isn't why Balt wants to trade him.

It's why Baltimore is choosing Oher over him though. They've had 3 seasons to get to know Gaither, if his poor work ethic doesn't concern him, why not sign him long term and deal Oher when he becomes a free agent in 2014?

Using this method they keep 2 quality tackles for 4 more seasons (5 if they franchise Oher). Really by the time Oher is even eligible for free agency, Gaither will be in the final year or two of his deal, so at no point do they have to pay 2 guys LT money. Which should make it easy to understand, Baltimore believes his play will drop when he gets paid.

 

[Cover 2]

The half-baked quote is in the original article.

If the author wasn't trying to imply Gaither smokes weed and has a poor work ethic because of it, he did a huge disservice to Gaither.

Yeah. If I hadn't read Florio's piece on Holmes earlier I would have thought he was refering to Gaither as well. Maybe he was, but I think he was refering to Holmes.

I think he used half-baked as a way to put wake n bake in there as well.

 

[Cover 2]

Here is a piece from a PFT article in the NFL Forum.

Though we're not aware of the specific identity of the substance involved, Holmes has a history with marijuana. In 2008, he was cited for marijuana possession, prompting the Steelers to suspend him for one game with pay. Recently, he posted on Twitter a message indicating an intention to "wake n bake," slang for smoking marijuana upon getting out of bed.