Potentially Interesting Free Agent...
 

I have heard from three different places - - and I do not think that these three folks know each other such that they could be talking to each other - - that the Baltimore Ravens are considering releasing Jared Gaither.

Gaither has been on IR this year since early in the year. The word is that he has a back problem - - something about a disk in his spine. I am not a doctor so I have no idea what the problem is or what it portends for Gaither as an NFL lineman.

IF Gaither hits the free agent market and IF his "back problem" is fixable/curable, the Redskins would do very well to try to sign him. If Gaither gets back to his old "healthy self", he would be a huge addition to the Redskins' OL.

There is a big "IF" in there... The Redskins medical folks would need to make an important call there.

Re: Potentially Interesting Free Agent...
 

Where does he play if they sign him? He was OT right? TW was solid and I think that Brown was coming on at the end of the year. Would be really nice for depth, but I don't know if he wants to come somewhere and sit the bench.

Re: Potentially Interesting Free Agent...
 

If Gaither can play the way he did before his injury, he is better than Jamaal Brown and he is better than Trent Williams was in 2010. I think Williams will become a better OT than Gaither was; but right now, a healthy Jared Gaither is a better OT than anyone on the roster.

However, an injured Jared Gaither with a back problem ...

Re: Potentially Interesting Free Agent...
 

True, love to have him, but I can't imagine him unseating TW, but MAYBE replacing Brown at the RT. Just would hate to have Brown and then drop him and waste more draft picks. If anything, I'd LOVE to build depth, but former starters have a hard time sitting on the bench.

Re: Potentially Interesting Free Agent...
 

First he has to have the surgery, then the rehab. He is no good till that back problem is resolved and that could take time.

Re: Potentially Interesting Free Agent...
 

If Gaither can regain his form prior to his injury it's likely the Ravens will resign him. If they decide to release him in fear he won't recover to form, I'd be reluctant to bring in any more tackles coming off injury to join a line that's depleted every year through injury.

[url=http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d81c95aad/article/freeagenttobe-gaither-wants-to-come-back-to-ravens]NFL.com news: Free-agent-to-be Gaither wants to come back to Ravens[/url]

Re: Potentially Interesting Free Agent...
 

I remember listening to a ravens radio program about him about 5 months ago. They were saying his back problem is bad and possibly career threatening. I don't think many teams will be planning on him to be their starting tackle right away.

Re: Potentially Interesting Free Agent...
 

Quick question, Does anyone know the status of Mike Williams? I know he's had his clot issues and was IR... but is he planning on returning to the Redskins in 2011 (or whenever the new CBA is reached)

Re: Potentially Interesting Free Agent...
 

Mike Williams is planning to return, and I hear things are going well (to my surprise)

As for Gaither, I think we're more in need of interior line help. Plus do we really want to take a guy with known back problems, known practice issues, and how effective is he in a zone blocking scheme.

Re: Potentially Interesting Free Agent...
 

Nope dont want injured players, big time pass

Re: Potentially Interesting Free Agent...
 

[quote=Chico23231;778466]Nope dont want injured players, big time pass[/quote]

i couldn't agree more ... enough "projects" .... i'd rather roll the dice on a young healthy guy than have another banged up OL

Re: Potentially Interesting Free Agent...
 

[quote=SmootSmack;778463]Mike Williams is planning to return, and I hear things are going well (to my surprise)

As for Gaither, I think we're more in need of interior line help. Plus do we really want to take a guy with known back problems, known practice issues, and how effective is he in a zone blocking scheme.[/quote]

I would love for Mike Williams to come back and light the world on fire. However after seeing Dockery fail in this offense how could anyone expect Williams to succeed?

Gaither on the other hand doesn't seem to be as mobile as Brown, and the fact of the matter is Brown is going to be healthier next year, not to mention cheaper. If we're going to steer away from Brown due to age I would much rather go after Ryan Harris, but Brown certainly played well enough at the end of the year to warrant a contract extension.

Re: Potentially Interesting Free Agent...
 

[quote=SmootSmack;778463]Mike Williams is planning to return, and I hear things are going well (to my surprise)

As for Gaither, I think we're more in need of interior line help. Plus do we really want to take a guy with known back problems, known practice issues, and how effective is he in a zone blocking scheme.[/quote]

Good to know. Have you heard if he's in the plans for next year? I remember him being pretty beast once he got settled in.

Re: Potentially Interesting Free Agent...
 

[quote=chico23231;778466]nope dont want injured players, big time pass[/quote]

^ Same here.

Re: Potentially Interesting Free Agent...
 

Williams was penciled in as the starting RG before he got hurt, and it wouldn't surprise me if he claims it back