Jared Gaither to the Lions?

Could #71, Jared Gaither, end up being a Detroit Lion in 2010?  There is a big possibility he could be.  There has been some talk of the Lions wanting to take Russell Okung at the number 2 spot instead of one of the monster DTs, and I completely agree with that move.  Stafford cannot take another year of Jeff Backus' mediocre pass blocking in one of the best pass rush divisions in the NFL (Jared Allen, Clay Matthews, Julius Peppers).  See http://walterfootball.com/nfldraftlionsokung.php for more information on why the Lions need to draft Russell Okung.

...But what  if the Lions could get a proven NFL "franchise" left tackle for lower than the second overall pick?  How does pick #34, their second ROUND pick, sound to you?  And to repeat myself, the Lions would be getting an elite, NFL PROVEN left tackle protecting Stafford's blindside in Jared Gaither.  Some people tell me that it's not possible to get Gaither for only a second round pick because of his talent level and because he was tendered by the Ravens for a first round pick, but me and some NFL experts say he is still available for a second round pick.  Why?  Michael Oher, who the Ravens took at pick #23 in the 2009 NFL Draft, easily took over at left tackle when Jared Gaither went down with an injury.  Jason La Canfora (NFL Draft EXPERT) has been reporting since the beginning that he is available, saying, "If someone offers up a second-round pick for him, a deal is there to be had" and the NFL just released an article on why he is available, which could be read http://blogs.nfl.com/2010/04/11/roundup-why-is-gaither-available/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter .  Pro Football Talk, an NBC Sports website, has repoted that "Preston suggests that Gaither could still be traded during the draft, possibly for a second-round pick plus a conditional 2011 pick."  I just recently asked Charles Davis, an NFL Expert from NFL Network: "Do you think it's a possibility for the Lions to trade their second round pick for Jared Gaither, freeing up the number 2 spot to be traded or used on one of the DTs?" and he replied saying, " Definitely possible, and that would solve two big issues quickly for the Lions, wouldn't it? I'm sure that Jim Schwartz would LOVE to have one of the DT's!"  So it's not a completely alien concept or dream of mine.

With Marshal Yanda filling in well at right tackle due to injury last season and Oher performing rather admirably on the blind side, tackle is suddenly a position of strength for the Ravens.  There is a lot of money devoted to the left tackle side for the Baltimore Ravens, and it only makes sense to get rid of Jared Gaither to cut the pay in half.  Gaither now becomes just a luxury, and might end up being a back up to Michael Oher, even with the talent he posses, if he stays with Baltimore in 2010.

If Detroit, come draft day, with a BIG need at left tackle, comes to Baltimore offering their second round pick for Gaither, there would be no way Baltimore could pass it up.  Detroit has the second highest pick in the second round, the first being St. Louis, who is in no need for a left tackle after taking Jason Smith second overall last year.  Other teams rumored who want to try and trade for Gaither are Oakland (pick #39), Buffallo (pick #41) and Kansas City (pick #36).  With pick #34, Detroit clearly has dibs on Gaither.  If the Lions grab Gaither, that would free up the number 2 overall spot to be spent on one of the DTs, a move Jim Schwartz would LOVE.

Some people may complain on losing the second round pick with big needs at corner and running back, but if we get somebody like Jared Gaither, a franchise, NFL proven left tackle, it is WELL worth it.  And also think about this.  With a new LT in place, and a yound one at that (24 years old), our running game would improve greatly because of better blocking by Gaither.  It would also shift Backus to guard or right tackle, seeing he excels in run blocking.  That's two upgrades for the price of one.  It would also give us the number 2 spot to be used on Suh or McCoy, and with a better pass rush by either one of those DTs, the opposing QB's would be under much more pressure than the past, resulting in worse throws (or forced throws), making it easier for our CBs to pick off.  Now our cornerbacks have also suddenly improved as well.

In closing, Jared Gaither is a talented player, but is no longer needed in Baltimore.  If the Lions are trying to become a playoff football team, and just trying to win games, it would just make too much sense to grab such a talented player (Jared Gaither) for only our second round pick with such a big need at left tackle.  The only way the Lions are going to win is good moves in all areas, and aquiring Jared Gaither would be a huge leap in the right direction.  Let's just hope Mayhew and Schwartz make the right decision by aquiring #71.