Gaither Around: Ravens' Second-Year Tackle Could Be the Key To 2008

The key to the Ravens’ season could lie in some rather questionable hands. Those hands belong to Jared Gaither. If Gaither doesn’t quickly become a more focused and professional athlete, the hole at left tackle stemming from Jonathan Ogden’s retirement could be as gaping as the now bankrupt pockets of Michael Vick.

Gaither’s work ethic was questioned while he played for Ralph Friedgen at the University of Maryland. Apparently not much has changed, and the Ravens’ coaching staff and front-office personnel are rumored to have had a little powwow with Gaither to put it in no uncertain terms that it’s now or never for the skilled offensive lineman.

If Gaither doesn’t work out, it could bring Cam Cameron’s offense to its knees. Adam Terry, who in spot duty filling in for Ogden has been very serviceable at left tackle, leaving many to wonder why the team is entering camp with Gaither penciled in at the top of the depth charts at LT. Terry hasn’t been nearly as dependable at right tackle, but that appears to be his job to lose.

If Gaither fails, the team could switch Terry back to his more natural left-tackle position and let a couple of other camp battles determine the remaining configuration of the Ravens’ young offensive line.

Rookie Oniel Cousins has been very combative in team OTAs, and he could press for time at RT if Terry flips over to the left, or if he fails to hold down the right flank.

The team could also move Marshal Yanda to RT, assuming that Chris Chester can establish himself at one of the interior line positions. But that is a big assumption. Chester has been a disappointment thus far particularly considering that he cost the Ravens a second round pick in 2006. 

Chester could be yet another player whose Scouting Combine measurables lured scouts more so than his productivity on the field. That is always a risky proposition, particularly on day one of the draft. Just ask the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Back in 2005, with the draft's 21st pick, the Jaguars’ GM James “Shack” Harris selected WR Matt Jones from Arkansas, one pick ahead of the Ravens, who were jubilant over the availability of Mark Clayton. One of Jones’ huge supporters prior to the ’05 draft was ESPN's Chris Mortensen.

Mortensen’s son Alex played with Jones at Arkansas, and perhaps that influenced the NFL insider’s love affair with Jones. Mortensen then referred to Jones as “the best player in the draft.”

Between his Razorback ties and Jones’ measurables, Mortensen was so sucked in that he concluded in a 2005 article for ESPN Insider, “Matt Jones won't be among the top-10 players selected in the April 23-24 draft, but I will venture to say that he'll play in more Pro Bowls than almost any of those guys.   And I will laugh, knowing I told you so.”

Apparently Jones prefers bowls of a different nature and substance.

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